Words Poorly Used #123 — Evolved

The word, “evolved,” it seems is heard frequently as an alternate to “refined.”  But there is a subtle difference.  A species is never refined in the sense of an inanimate object that has been optimized — ie. improved in terms of all other things.  An evolved individual, however, is a survivor of things as they are — not improved but adapted, for better or worse.

The evolution of the species guarantees no particular future except one of change but of no known change.  Probability tells us that our species will either become extinct or learn to coexist with new competive species.  The adjective, “evolved,” doesn’t give much information.

— Kilgore Forelle

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