As we enter the
third millennium in the current phase of human civilization, grand
experiments are afoot to unravel the �mother of all secrets� i.e.. origin
of life. In the past 50 years or so, a series of our most brilliant men
have been struggling to postulate a universally acceptable theory about
origin of life but all in vain. A clear-cut hypothesis about the �first
form of life� - let me call it fifol � still eludes us. In spite of our
best efforts we have been unable to recreate that first spark of life
neither are we able to put forward a convincing alternative theory.
Different Perspective
If we take a broad look at all the happenings in this universe, we can
find three aspects standing out � logic, symmetry and repetition (cyclic).
All said and done, there is a definite logic in all that is happening
around us, be it earthquake in Turkey or NATO bombing in Kosovo. As each
of them happens, we feel sad and disillusioned. But when historically put
together, we find all such events do fall in place and the overall picture
looks logical. There is always a certain direction but quite often we fail
to identify it momentarily, but realize it historically.
All these years, we have believed that a freak lightning kindled the first
spark of life in a peculiar organic mixture millions of years ago.
However, all our efforts in redoing it have proved unsuccessful so far.
All this while, one theory that gained universal acceptance in the mind of
all literate men the world over is Darwin�s theory about evolution of
mankind. Save for the fundamentalists, almost the entire world has come to
accept it as the truth. Quite interestingly, the oldest surviving religion
viz. Hinduism covers it well in its various scriptures and beliefs. The
ten incarnations (avatars) of the lord starting from fish and close
friendships of Lord Rama with monkey clans (in the epic Ramayana) in the
not-so-distant past are just glimpses of this.
Being logical in all its designs, it is not prudent to believe that
�fifol� presented itself due to a lightning when the evolution theory
postulates an underwater beginning for life. Also, in keeping with the
symmetrical nature of all creations, it is quite possible that �fifol�
must have been bisexual, which later on split up into �Adam� and �Eve� as
it evolved, probably in the shores of Yemen. If life started in this
planet, it would be more logical to believe that an underwater phenomenon
in the Mariana Trench produced the �fifol� at about �40 deg C and 10,000
bar. Over the ages, a few of the fittest �fifols� would have ventured up
the ocean and developed the physiological capabilities to survive at
higher temperatures and rarer atmospheres. They must have eventually got
on the ground and advanced into homo sapiens as we know it now.
Incidentally, it is quite possible that some of those �fifols� are still
left and our marine biologists should be able to locate one with all the
modern gadgets and resources available now.
Evolution
Evolution of life so far has been highly logical and it is well
documented. It leaves very little room for any doubts or disbelief. A
whole lot of living things have since evolved and the full spectrum is
truly mind boggling. But what we need to look at now, as members of the
mankind, is about our evolution atleast in the last two millenniums. It is
very important to do so because of three reasons :
Have we
evolved in a desirable direction so far ?
Who is at the
forefront of the evolution chain right now ?
Where do we
go from here ?
Opinions will
vary among social scientists about all these aspects but it is most
significant to identify who is �leading the evolutionary chain� at this
point of time. This is very important because a whole lot depends on these
�evolutionary� leaders (not revolutionary) as to where we are headed for.
If we are sure that Americans are leading, then we are headed in one
direction and if Iraqis are the leaders, it is another. Also if Whitemen
are at the forefront, we are heading in one direction and it is different
if Yellowmen or Blacks are the true leaders. Individually also, it matters
as to who is the most evolved? We need to point out the role models to our
children.
Years ago, some of our doctors identified �herdity� � common
characteristics of a herd - as a parameter closely identified with cancer.
The tendency of all of us humans to follow the crowd (especially in this
information age when tendencies can be highly contagious) indicating
common characteristics is some thing that will decide the future of
mankind. Unless we identify the most evolved human being(s) and follow
their lead the consequences can be disastrous. If we are following the
wrong lead it is most likely that the evolutionary chain will terminate
sooner and it will be time again for the next �fifol�.
Reason for Hope
In the prevailing air of acute pessimism, we can always expect that mother
nature will eventually throw up yet another logical phenomenon by which
the ideal lot at the forefront of evolution will be identified. This
phenomenon can take any form viz. a massive earthquake or epidemic or
crashing into a black hole. As it has always been proven, only the fittest
will survive and the fittest need not necessarily be the mightiest, as
some of us believe. Instead of waiting for that eventual intervention of
mother nature, perhaps it is worthwhile now for another Darwin to identify
the best amongst us and guide mankind in the right direction. There is
definitely much reason for hope in our world-wide scientific community who
have already evolved as international citizens.
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