[MD] Distinguishing Levels (Individual level)

[Platt Holden]

Hi David, 

> Who ever said the mosquito with specks on his wings hasn't already bread
> with previous 'non specked' mosquitoes and formed more of the same? 
> What if the specks were somehow beneficial to his survival, better
> camouflage perhaps, this will lead to the mosquito living longer and
> able to produce more offspring with similar variations to his own.  What
> if as you say, the specks hinder the mosquito in some way? Completely
> naturally he won't last long and wont be able to pass on his low quality
> variations.  Can you see the beauty in this moral selection? I can.

Yes, I see the beauty of evolution because you and I are the result, so 
far.

> Platt said:
> > My theory is that the life force (DQ) works to change forms for the
> > better. When it runs up against a catastrophe, like the extinction of
> > the dinosaurs, it works hard to avoid such catastrophes in the future.
> >   
> David said:
> 
> Are you suggesting it does this consciously? That's preposterous! I can
> just imagine all the cells going.
> 
> "Right men, let's not let this asteroid hit us again and not form into
> big stupid dinosaurs again, let's try something different!".
> 
> Of course this is what happens but it happened completely naturally as a
> *result* of the asteroid hitting the dinosaurs leaving all the smaller,
> faster, more agile mammals to thrive.  The dinosaurs were no Good so
> didn't survive. 

If you believe consciousness is a life force that exists side by side 
with the material universe,  then improvements designed to sustain life 
come "completely naturally."  Perhaps you have a better answer to  
Pirsig's question, "Why survive?" 

> I agree but cells don't do this 'consciously' as you suggest.  Isn't
> what I say a much more beautiful way of looking at things than horses
> giving birth to elephants as you seem to be suggesting?

Did I say horses give birth to elephants? Don't think so. What I see is 
constant improvement (expansion) over time of in the ability of life 
forms to tap into universal consciousness whose presence is known as 
beauty.

Regards,
Platt

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