The Irony of Evolution

-An Exploration into the Paradoxical Nature of Humanity

A discursive composed by Emily (Year 12 Advanced)

I have a confession I must make. 

I feel that if I am to talk of evolution I must first assure you that I have not yet entirely solidified my thoughts on this matter and note that I too, have become a victim to the extremely paradoxical nature that is, living in the twenty-first century. Perhaps, like many whose lives are situated in the consumerist and capitalist ideals of contemporary society- I have become an exemplary display of what occurs when human development is replaced by the simplicity of life. In acknowledging this, I hope to not resemble a hypocrite and reassure you that no one is spared from the claws of humanity's own invention. 

Evolution has been a topic pondered and questioned, I believe, since the beginning of time. There appears to be the assumption that humans are guaranteed the right of evolution and our continued population of the Earth ensures our development. There is a possibility that as we continue to create more technological advancements, we forget that evolution is not merely a right, but rather the product of psychological development and the conscientious effort to expand upon our current knowledge. Contemporary ways of life and the extreme decadence that many have become accustomed to might just become the cause of humanity’s devolution; with simplicity of life surmounting individuals' need for development. Maybe, as humanity gradually gives away our intellect, our determination and our identity for the temporary simplicity of life, God is peering down at us from above- shaking His head as he watches his creation slowly tear itself apart in order to become more ‘evolved’. As humanity slowly turns its back on our development, in order to become the most evolutionised species, perhaps we will recognise far too late that humans are merely hamsters- primitive creatures trapped on a 

wheel, realising far too late that they have been turning the wheel counterclockwise the entire 

time. 

Now, I do not say this to slander hamsters. 

But I do want to acknowledge this; If we continue to rely on synthetic and superficial sources of intellect, we will slowly succumb to the drowning forces of technological advancements. Ironically, the intellect that humanity has created (artificial intelligence) has nearly surmounted our own abilities and intellect. With our species' demise creeping in the shadows, it appears shocking that highly capable individuals such as ourselves would not attempt to eradicate the inventions which might prove to be our greatest adversaries. After all, if a seventeen year old girl can recognise the perils of outsourcing our intelligence to artificial sources, can not the ruling figures of our society? But in acknowledging our devolution, individuals can come to realise that with the impending loss of evolution comes the source of its creation: complacency. 

Complacency might just be the accomplice to devolution, the cause of our destruction and humanities communal hamartia. This idea that as individuals, we are not responsible for our actions allows for a sense of supremacy and superiority that surmounts our willingness to be responsive to our detriments. Perhaps, as humans strive to become their own supreme beings, our complacency has reached a level so incomprehensible that we are no longer able to recognise the malicious destruction that slowly creeps towards us; maybe we have become blinded by the luminosity of ideals and expectations. 

It’s morbidly ironic, the fact that humanity continues to express their evolution through technologies and machines that will ultimately rid us of the primitive skills that shaped us as human beings from the beginning of time. By ridding ourselves of the ability to think for and make our own decisions and develop individually, we might slowly be sacrificing our development as a species for the temporary simplicity of life. As I sit here, writing this piece, I cannot help but laugh at the paradox that is the human brain. In the attempt to bring alive a piece of literature that exudes the frightening nature of technological advancements, I still find my brain drifting off and pondering how simple it would be to use an artificial spelling corrector or refer to ChatGPT to give me inspiration. Faster and faster, I find myself becoming used to the ability that a collection of wires and server hardware has to mimic human intelligence and yet, I sit in my complacency and ignorance. 

Perhaps, human greed has transcended into the need to be authors of our own lives. We no longer feel the desire to let life run its course, but rather are consumed by the need to cut and stitch together our own destiny; to excel and expand the limits of human achievement. 

Paradoxes have always intrigued me; this idea that something seems one way, but acts another. Humans can prove their skill through artificial intelligence, machines and technologies- but ultimately, this may be to our detriment. How can we be capable of simultaneously proving and destroying our intellect? Why is it possible to affirm our evolution while also affirming our destruction? The wheel of time continues to rapidly tick by and yet, perhaps humans stand still- caught in the force of all our beneficial and detrimental actions. As we continue forward, perhaps we might finally acknowledge the gravity of our choices. 

Perhaps, we might finally understand the irony of our evolution.