Is there some place here to bring up Punctuated Equilibrium? This is the (genuine science) theory that species tend to stay stable for long periods of time, then change significantly within a short space of time, usually in response to a change in the previously-stable environment. A local disaster such as a volcano or an introduced species suddenly providing competition for their niche would be good examples of the sort of pressure that would lead to sudden bursts of evolutionary change.
I would have put this into Real Life, but there's a request not to put anything there, and I'm not sure where else it could/should go, but it definitely seems relevant....
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If no one can give a good reason *not* to put Punctuated Equilibrium into a "Real Life" folder, I'm going to go ahead and do it. If someone does have a good reason not to, I'll be happy to hear it and likely follow the request if it's at all reasonable.
Okay, as a compromise, I've added an explanation of Punctuated Equilibrium to the discussion of the trope, rather than adding a Real Life folder. If someone knows of a better place for it, or a better way to explain it, please let me know!
I see the Awesomeness.
For those of you curious, the trope has been split. Evolutionary Levels is about the specific description of evolution taking place in discreet levels, as opposed to a hodgepodge. Evolving towards something is Goal-Oriented Evolution (these often overlap). Evolution Powerup is when a single creature evolves, or evolution is used as a term for a general powerup. Thieving genetics from things is still LEGO Genetics.
Fight smart, not fair.
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
From the description: "Another popular form involves something evolving while still alive, on its own. While individual cells can mutate, as can the entire life form, this isn't evolution, but simple mutation. Evolution is defined as a population/species wide event. So one person cannot super evolve, as above, into the what would happen in the future."
So, what would be a more accurate way to call such a phenomenon? Mutation sounds quite bland, and covers both beneficial (what the phenomenon is) and deterimental (what it is not) cases.
Edited by MarqFJA Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
One quote from the Real-life section says:
"Self-referential example: At one point, this editor had to remove text from another trope description stating that while a One Gender Race was plausible because there are examples of parthenogenesis in real life, this was "rarely seen beyond the reptile stage." Headdesk. "
I seem to be missing something. What exactly is the problem in that claim?
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There is no such thing as a reptile "stage" — reptiles are our cousins not our great-grandfathers, and other creatures (such as mammals) have not somehow moved on to a "more advanced" state than reptiles.
Linking to a past Trope Repair Shop thread that dealt with this page: WallOfText
, started by Deboss on Jun 1st 2011 at 10:08:29 PM
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman