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Most evolutionary biologist have fully rejected the "hopeful monster theory" but it turns out they were wrong to do so.
Most mutations are deleterious, and are quickly weeded out of a population but in some cases not before they briefly cause hideous results that make everyone turn away in horror and disgust. But sometimes a hideous mutation can produce something new and amazing, something novel and wonderful, something never before seen and but which we could never imagine the world doing without. Here is an example:
Original Mutation:
F1 Generation:
F2 Generation:
Case closed.
Life Science
Comments
Looks much more as parallel evolution to me.
Posted by: Oldcola | April 2, 2011 12:14 PM
Damn you, Laden! I was blissfully unaware that such a completely inane piece of pop culture existed, and you've completely ruined my ignorance! AAAAAUUUUUGGGGHHHH!!
Posted by: Shawn Smith | April 2, 2011 12:20 PM
Not only a strong argument in favour of the 'Hopeful Monster' theory - more than that, the Original Mutation should also finally put paid to the idea that the Universe was created by a benevolent deity. No 'Intelligent Design' would allow for anything even remotely like that to come into existence.
Posted by: Phillip IV | April 2, 2011 1:28 PM
It should have been posted yesterday, not because it was friday, but because it was April 1st.
Posted by: Danniel Soares | April 2, 2011 3:39 PM
Oh, the Roots! I don't know wheather to be awed or disappointed. I'll go with awe.
Posted by: meat robot | April 2, 2011 6:27 PM
F2 is awesome. I'm also really impressed that Colbert can sing that well.
Posted by: Joshua Zelinsky | April 2, 2011 11:10 PM
"Friday" IS the mutation.
The Beatles' "A Day In The Life" is the original.
http://www.forkparty.com/song-similarities-rebecca-blacks-friday-vs-the-beatles-a-day-in-the-life/
Posted by: P Smith | April 2, 2011 11:21 PM
Ditto, blissfully unaware. I think I feel a cluster headache coming on.
Posted by: Richard Chapman | April 3, 2011 1:00 PM
P smith, thanks for that link. I had noticed the similarity as well. I wonder if it is intentional or subconscious.
Posted by: Greg Laden | April 3, 2011 2:57 PM
For Canadian readers:
http://www.thecomedynetwork.ca/Displayblog.aspx?bpid=26d615b7-8511-4881-aed2-5a8992ec21a2
(The Colbert video is only available in the US.)
Posted by: itzac | April 4, 2011 12:59 PM
Did you by any chance see Stephen Colbert on Jimmy Fallon's Late Night show doing a sendup of this song*? It was absolutely terrific.
*Does it seem to you that the probability of this event occurring is vanishingly small?
Posted by: Mark P | April 5, 2011 1:40 PM
Dangit! I missed the last comment prior to mine. But I stand by my statement: it was terrific.
Posted by: Mark P | April 5, 2011 1:42 PM