Opinionated Thought

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY and it's depiction of evolution in question

Last Updated on Monday, 18 May 2009 20:22
Written by Clifford Scott Carson Wednesday, 13 May 2009 20:45

Entertainment - Movies

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Danny Peary once wrote "Pity the young student who thinks ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. is historically accurate". The same, I'm afraid, might be said for some of the "hip" fans of Stanley Kubrick's 1968 classic, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. The dawning of man evolution sequence in the beginning of the film showing actors prancing around in gorilla suits in front of huge panoramic screens. The same gorilla suit, I might add, that would show up 2 years later in the B horror flick, TROG with Joan Crawford. Personally, I never thought this scene was a good representation of what the truth is. The gorilla costume, effective in it's day is now just downright silly, as is the concept in general. It's as silly as anything in ONE MILLION YEARS B.C.

Despite what anyone tells you about evolution, social controversy over whether humans and apes share a common lineage is still debated among scientists, biologists, theorists, creationists and critics. The never ending debate on whether man originated from an animal is still a theory, not a fact as they'll tell you. On the one hand there is the question of whether or not modern organisms have evolved from older ancestral organisms or whether modern species are continuing to change over time. On the other hand there are questions about the mechanism of the observed changes... how did evolution occur? Biologists consider the existence of biological evolution to be a fact. It can be demonstrated today and the historical evidence for its occurrence in the past is overwhelming. However, biologists readily admit that they are less certain of the exact mechanism of evolution.

While I believe in evolution, I do not believe humans and animals are the same. Nor do I believe they were ever the same or share the same lineage. I do not believe we, as humans, originated from apes. If that were the case, if that was truly the case, gorilla's and apes wouldn't exist today. One would not be roaming around with the other. Gorilla's wouldn't be in existence. The differences between humans and animals are so far apart that it boggles my mind that any rational sensible thinker would think one is the same.

I think human beings need answers to the fundamental origins of things, even if it is the wrong answer they need "some" answer. Not everything the scientific community is in agreement with by and large will prove itself to be true in the long run. There are many unanswered questions and I'm okay with not knowing and accepting the fact that none of us know for certain how we came to exist here on earth. That's a fact and any real scientist will tell you the same thing. The mystery is what keeps life interesting, I believe those answers won't be revealed and re-remembered until we return to the place we all came from. If someone wants to buy into the animal morphing into man theory that's their prerogative and I respect that. People can believe whatever they want. As long as you're not hurting anyone, what do I care? However, by you believing that an animal morphed into a man, I'm not so much laughing at you, as I am shaking my head in disappointment at anyone who buys into that notion. I don't believe humans and animals are the same. We're on a completely different plane fundamentally, mentally, spiritually and in practically every other way. Why would it be different at any other time if it's not now? Yes, there are some physiological similarities, but that's where it ends. There is such a distinct profound obvious difference between humans and animals, why would anyone think that humans are or ever were a descendant from them? It's ludicrous in my mind. I also don't like how man has used this "theory" as an excuse for his violent behavior or lack of taking responsibility for his actions, i.e. "oh, it's the cave man in me" or "man's an animal too", kind of thing. Don't even get me started on that!

True evolution of some kind is a fact, but not that man evolved from apes/animals. Even with as much data as biologists have to back up this concept it has not been proven. There is no 100% concrete evidence to prove this scenario, even with the data that biologists have to conclude it. The fact that charts and illustrations exist showing an ape morphing into man is not proof. Sorry, apes would not exist today if that were the case, but prove me otherwise. Oh, and don't tell 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY fans. Oh no, don't tell them.