luckiest
HURDLE NUMBER 43. THE “SURVIVAL OF THE LUCKIEST” HURDLE.
Darwinism promotes the idea of “The Survival of The Fittest”. The idea is that random genetic mutations produce variations in biological organisms, and only the “fittest” of these variations survive, ie:- those best able to prevail in the struggle for existence. However, the evidence suggests that the LUCKIEST survive, not the FITTEST. Here are some quotes from authoritative sources that substantiate this above statement:-
The following quote is from the book The Biotic Message, by Walter Remine, published by St Paul Science, 1993, pages 180 to 181:-
Remine quotes from the book – Theoretical Aspects of Population Genetics, by Kimura and Ohta, 1971 – “Only a small fraction of the beneficial mutations is lucky enough to escape accidental loss. - - - - - The fact that the majority of mutants, including those having a slight advantage, are lost by chance is important.”
The next quote is from the book Evolution of Living Organisms, by Pierre P. Grasse (of The Universite de Paris, Laboratoire d’Evolution des Etres Organises), published by Academic Press, 1977, pages 109 to 110:-
“Both animal and plant species suffer enormous losses - - - - high mortality rate among - - - - the young termites and ants swarming out of their nests are frantically attacked by predators. The only pairs to survive are those who - - - - find shelter - - - - quite irrespective of the specific qualities of the insect, and NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST AS A RESULT OF ANY KIND OF SELECTION - - - - THE WHOLESALE DESTRUCTION OF EGGS - - - - SEEDS AND LARVAE IS NOT SELECTIVE. Death does not choose its victims, BUT STRIKES BLINDLY.” (My capitals.)
The next quote is from the book At The Deathbed of Darwinism, by Eberhard Dennert:-
“Darwin’s theory is endangered by an - - - disturbing element, viz:- accidental destruction - - - - destruction of life which occurs in utter indifference to - - - - individual variations from the parent form - - - - the vast amount of eggs and seeds destroyed - - - IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY ADAPTIVE ADVANTAGE THAT WOULD BE POSSESSED BY THE MATURE FORM - - - - countless forms in every stage of individual development which meet destruction through accidental causes which would not - - - be mitigated by - - - changes of structure - - - which would otherwise be beneficial.” (My capitals.)
The next two quotes are from the book Genetic Entropy and The Mystery of The Genome (classroom edition), by Doctor J. C. Sanford (A Cornell University professor, with a Ph. D. in Genetics), published by F.M.S. Publications, 3rd edition, 2008:-
Page 75:- “A high rate of accidental death in a population will override and obscure the subtle effects of minor mutations.”
Page 99:- “Stephen Jay Gould (Harvard University promoted him to Professor of Geology and Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology at the institution's Museum of Comparative Zoology.) - - - - argued against the strict selectionist view of evolution - - - - He recognized the importance of - - - - - THE SURVIVAL OF THE LUCKIEST.” (My capitals.)
The next quote is from the book Evolution, by Mark Ridley (Department of Anthropology and Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia), published by Blackwell Science, 1996, page 69:-
“The Atlantic Cod - - - - an average - - - - female cod lays about two million eggs in a breeding season - - - an average female - - - will produce only two successful offspring.”
The next several quotes are from the book – Indian Bird Life, by Douglas Dewar, F.Z.S., published by John Lane, The Bodley Head, 1925
Page x (of preface):- The author quotes Darwin:-“With all beings there must be much fortuitous destruction, which can have little - - - - influence on - - - natural selection. - - - - A vast number of eggs or seeds are annually devoured - - - - Yet many of these eggs or seeds would perhaps, if not destroyed, have yielded individuals better adapted to their conditions of life than any of those which happened to survive. - - - - - A vast number of mature animals and plants, whether or not they be best adapted to their conditions must be annually destroyed by accidental causes.”
Page 3:- Dewar tells us of “The enormous destruction of eggs and nestlings (in India) - - - - - - - - ” Dewar then provides a host of anecdotal examples from his vast experience as an observer of birds and bird behavior.
Pages 83 to 84:- “Numbers of nestlings die of starvation - - - the only ones that perish are not necessarily the least fit, but those handicapped by being the last to emerge from the egg.”
Pages 213 to 219:- Dewar describes how birds are attacked by parasites and diseases (that seem to operate fortuitously rather than selectively).
Page 259:- “There is - - - no evidence - - - that it is the strongest males which secure breeding territory at the expense of the weaker - - - It is usually a case of first come first served. The individuals which are the first to arrive secure the coveted ground, even though the later arrivals are stronger.”