Assignment 1

Nicholas Park

Vanessa Filippelli

Student Number: 1870240

Course title: Challenge of Modernity 345-102

Section Number: 30
The following paper will be focusing on the evolutionary algorithm. This will be done by

explaining the process of natural selection and evolution by relating it to the studies of a man by

the name of Charles Darwin, a film called Master and Commander, produced by Samuel

Goldwyn in 2003, and non-biological systems of which are presented as memes.

We all awake every single morning, living life as we think we should, but one thing that

we all forget to think about is how we got to where we are. Did all humans just get thrown into

earth without any background or explanations? Was walking and talking naturally given to us

without any practice or thought? Did we all just get out of bed one day and start doing daily

activities such as working, schooling, and exercising? It all started from somewhere. Not only us

people, but our surroundings as well all started from nothing compared to what can be found

modern-day. As centuries after centuries passed by, all the species developed since the beginning

of history have gradually changed throughout time. This process can be represented as evolution.

Evolution represents the gradual change of ritual traits that have been existing within a certain

population of organisms throughout many generations. This performance states that those

individuals of a generation which are able to survive its habitat, provide specific traits which

adapt best to their circumstances. When the reproduction of these living organisms take place,

their given traits are then passed down to their off-springs. These characteristics help adapt more

comfortably within ones environment, and may also promote survival by finding food, avoiding

predators and resisting disease. This can be referred to as natural selection.

Charles Darwin. His proposition held the belief that all life is allied and has descended from the

same derivation. It is because of the modifications of populations in different habitats by natural

selection which lead to different species such as animals, plants, and fish. In relation to this

activity, death was known to most often occur to the ones which are least adapted to their

environment, therefore exclaiming that nature decides who lives.

Another important term that intervened with Darwin’s research, explaining why natural selection

takes place, is adaptation. This is considered as the root idea that grew into his theory. It is the

process by which species such as animals or plants become adjusted to its environment. To

explore this system, the famous biologist Charles, visited the Galapagos Islands to examine

various categories of breeds that varied from different islands. He considered this destination to

be the perfect area for research, since it consists of over a hundred islands of which all surround

the equator off the Ecuadorian coast. By means of this, it holds an enormous array of different

categories of animal species such as giant tortoises, iguanas, fur seals, sea lions, sharks, and

numerous amounts of bird species - 14 of which make up the group known as Darwin’s finches.

Darwin’s finches are a group of songbirds that were used by him to give comprehension to his

theory of natural selection and adaptation. His hypothesis from this study, was that each bird,

even those of different species, have all evolved from a common ancestor, and have mutated into

their own formation, in regards to where they live, to help them with the survival of life at a very

slow pace. One characteristic that differed from each group of birds of which he discovered,

were their beaks. Their beaks had adapted from the food that they regularly eat to suit its diet and
lifestyle. For example, those with long, pointed beaks, made them more fit for having the ability

to pick seeds out of cactus fruits, and those with shorter beaks served best for eating the seeds

that are already found on the ground. This activity relates to the Darwinian evolution, which can

be clearly illustrated in a film by the name of ‘Master and Commander’ produced by Samuel

Goldwyn, 2003.

The plot of ‘Master and Commander’ produced by Samuel Goldwyn, is mainly revolved around

the Napoleonic Wars of which are held in the seventeenth century. Throughout the film, it

demonstrates to its viewers how captain Aubrey of the royal navy frigate HMS Surprise, is given

an authoritative instruction to destroy the French privateer; Acheron, of which are destined

towards the Pacific. Aubrey tells his officers of the ship to head for the Galapagos Islands, where

he’s certain his opponent, the Acheron will be. This also benefited Stephen Maturin, who is the

doctor, surgeon, intelligence agent, and naturalist of the surprise ship, since he claimed that the

Galapagos Islands are legendary to naturalists such as himself, therefore wanting to explore the

area. As they reached the island, everyone on board was in awe, especially Maturin. It was

nothing like what he expected to see. He saw different species of birds, ones which don’t have

the ability to fly due to the shape of their wings, and a swimming ignuana, which is abnormal

within his eyes, since he never thought they had the capability to swim. He corresponds these

creatures with different habits and forms to be “unknown to science.”

Stephan Maturin’s explorations on the Galapagos Islands shown in the movie, ‘Master and

Commander,’ are perfect illustrations of the Darwinian evolution in action. Darwin exclaimed

that as time passes by, creatures within the same species develop their own traits to help them
with the survival within their environment. The same way that Darwin proved this theory

throughout his research on the Galapagos Islands, the character of Maturin did as well. The

process of evolution was represented in the film when the swimming ignuana was shown. The

surgeon was in shock after catching a glimpse of it in water, as he always thought they were only

capable of remaining on land. The creature developed these traits in relation to adaptation. Since

its surroundings were mainly of water, it eventually had to evolve and progress his swimming

skills. Another characteristic of a creature shown within this scene which evolved through time,

was the bird who couldn’t fly, which are also referred to as flightless birds. They are birds that

through evolution lost the ability to fly, mainly because there weren’t any predators on the

islands in which they evolved. When the actors in the film saw this for the first time, they were

all so amazed, since they weren’t familiar with the terms of adaptation and evolution, thinking

that all those from the same species were identical. This all demonstrated a series of evolution

and adaptation. Therefore, if anyone who is familiar with Darwin’s theory were to watch Master

and Commander, they’d effortlessly notice that the illustrations within the film of which took

place on the Galapagos Islands, paralleled exactly to the Darwinian evolution.

In the film produced by Samuel Goldwyn mentioned above, the term ‘evolution’ implies on

animals, plants, genes, and biology. Many are unaware of the fact that it is also related to non-

biological systems, one specifically that goes by the name of ‘memes’, of which undergoes a

process of evolution as well. In this case, it doesn’t revolve around genes, but has to do with

behavior instead. It is information that may be considered to be passed from one individual to

another by nongenetic means, especially by the act of imitation.

place within many different daily activities; by language, by imitation, by telling stories, by

wearing clothes, and mainly just by doing things. She exclaims that even though memes and

natural biological selection aren’t considered to have the same science behind them, their

principles both apply to anything that is copied with variation and selection. A meme is

information that is passed down from person to person, not because it helps with the means of

survival, but because of its beauty or because of its significant use. Illustrations of this term are

shown everywhere around you. For example, clothing brands, such as Nike or Jordan, have

products that are owned by many people, and as each year passes by, it’s beginning to become

more and more known. Why? Because of the act of imitation. Any object or action that has been

copied, or spread throughout time, without genetics being implied, is considered a meme.

In conclusion, the process of evolution varies. This act can be found throughout daily activity, or

through the means of biology. It makes us who we are to this day, answers all questions ever

asked throughout centuries, and explains all information given to us since the beginning.
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