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Beagle wrote:I would really like to know the author's rationale for that. I can't imagine that taking lethal gamma radiation would improve the brain. Maybe he is thinking of a freak mutation. The odds against that are incredible.

I have long felt, that for evolution theory to have much validy (due to the enormous time periods required for meaningful random mutations to occur), significant leaps could only be made during times of significant selection pressure and changing climates or dwindling food supplies or parallel extinctions may produce significant selection pressure when species are pushed to the brink of extinction.

Nevertheless - intense gamma radiation is lethal in a very short time. I don't quite follow the logic either.

Forum Monk wrote:
I have long felt, that for evolution theory to have much validy (due to the enormous time periods required for meaningful random mutations to occur), significant leaps could only be made during times of significant selection pressure and changing climates or dwindling food supplies or parallel extinctions may produce significant selection pressure when species are pushed to the brink of extinction.

Nevertheless - intense gamma radiation is lethal in a very short time. I don't quite follow the logic either.

Forgetting the gamma ray shower for a minute . . .

Like you intimated, Monk, evolution isn't gradual, but in leaps and bounds, stops and starts, as the conditions gave rise to 'm.

Conditions are again changing rapidly as we speak. So expect further 'quick' evolutionary developments/accelerations.

I love these expert pronounciations. Gamma radiation that produces brain changes in one group and leaves all the others unaffected. I await an explanation with baited breath.

Don't choke.

Yes Gunny, according to Firestone it was gamma radiation, traveling at light speed that bombarded the earth 41K yrs. ago. It seems pretty coincidental that there were so many notable changes right after that, but I've not seen any explanation for it.

D Allele hybridization from HSN is the other hypothesis. That mutation occurred about 37k years ago, close enough to the notable changes to look suspicious. Hopefully, Svante Paabo will clear that up.

By the way: gamma radiation not needed, only sperm and eggs.

My personal choice is the standard gradual change then times of dramatic change known as punctuated equilibrium that scenario i find sits right.

Cognito wrote:

Yes Gunny, according to Firestone it was gamma radiation, traveling at light speed that bombarded the earth 41K yrs. ago. It seems pretty coincidental that there were so many notable changes right after that, but I've not seen any explanation for it.

D Allele hybridization from HSN is the other hypothesis. That mutation occurred about 37k years ago, close enough to the notable changes to look suspicious. Hopefully, Svante Paabo will clear that up.

By the way: gamma radiation not needed, only sperm and eggs.

You betcha!