“We use this term to describe an event where the same mutation breaks out in multiple locations in the same time frame.”
I remember a phrase from one of the stories of the Bible...”and in one night was 185 thousand slain”! I think such a thing, as described above, the ancient prophets would call “the judgment of the Lord!”. Such multiple mutations happening all at once in many locations just don’t happen by a chance co-incidence!
Oh I get the thought process...a highly mutagenic virus already spread in diverse populations, consisting of a certain generation of said given virii which will, upon reaching a certain reproductive cycle within the hosts’ cells, hit that same mutagenic change point seemingly randomally yet mutually at the same time, whereupon they become dangerously pathological in many folks all at once, in many locations all at once. In such a scenario
The reason why I’m skeptical is because of the constant random variations of RNA templates that exist from person to person which, while being forced by virii to make new viruses, still impose some influences of their own upon the next generation of virii. One person or one closely related family group will be the next source of a super plague perhaps but I have difficulties with the “multiple” time bomb theory!
If such virii are to become the next super plague, all at once ,in many locations all at once, then something spiritual is at work! God is the judge of people and nations!
I am a very poor witness because I do not believe in God or spiritual stuff, I am to the core of my being an empiricist. Sartre, Camus and R. M. Persig are the cornerstones of my philosophy.
But yet....
You have tagged exactly what she believes. If you asked her the question she would look at you in that special way that makes you wonder if you really are educated and explain that it is only our poor perceptual skills that keeps us setting up these dichotomous choices.
It is not nature or God, there is no real difference. Evolution is little more than creation in action.
I miss her and the days we spent under the tree by the lake at her cabin in Tahoe.
But the work is mine and it what it is.
“Oh I get the thought process...a highly mutagenic virus already spread in diverse populations, consisting of a certain generation of said given virii which will, upon reaching a certain reproductive cycle within the hosts’ cells, hit that same mutagenic change point seemingly randomally yet mutually at the same time, whereupon they become dangerously pathological in many folks all at once, in many locations all at once.”
Yes that is it. But MA would explain to you, as she did to me, that in our short history as a species such events are not rare at all, but simply part of the rhythm of evolution/creation.
I do understand what she means when she explains that all our recent evolution has been in the realm of perception.
Hard to argue with that fact. But to her each population bottleneck is simply a choosing. I am at a loss to explain where we are headed but MA clearly sees that this coming wave is targeted at perception.
It is just weird. Now on the TV I see these people all preparing to survive after some horrific event (fill in the blank on your favorite disaster) and I just wonder.
I have read all her works, and it impresses the hell out of me. So what do I believe - is she lucky or gifted.
You pay your money and take your choice.
I apologize for ranting a bit but you are the first poster to truly pinpoint her exact prediction and it raises all the old conflicts in my gin soaked brain.
I appreciate your post very much.
Seems the way evolution works too - maybe the reason why there's millions of 'missing links' ... whatever the next 'stage' is - happens quickly and universally...