OPINIONS

 

Charles Darwin: Revisited
 

By Ryan Kelly

 

As a well-educated young man residing in Armagh City, the ancient and Ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, in County Armagh, God’s own country, I find myself constantly obsessed by the origins of life. Extra significance to this thought pattern is provided by the fact that this is the 200th year of the birth of Charles Darwin.

 

The universe began to evolve millions of years ago. In this context, the solar system began to evolve with planet earth becoming its focal point in terms of life aided by the sun and moon which evolved in similar fashion. All life like the baby in the womb depends on water and given this premise all life forms probably evolved from the rivers and oceans of the world.

 

Bacteria evolved into cells which evolved into various bodily forms. Many developed into fish and sharks which thrived in the rivers and oceans of the world. Others as a result of their evolution roamed the continents of the world such as dinosaurs, crocodiles and our earliest ancestors.

 

Climate change in all probability signaled the end for dinosaurs.

 

The human race evolved in Darwinian fashion. Initially the most effective way of moving from place to place happened to be from tree to tree remembering that planet earth and its continents would have initially been covered in dense forest. As a consequence of a natural survival instinct, stone and wood were used to create fire and warmth. Natural resources were further used to provide food. Woodland would have been cleared to create settlements and initially the seeking out of new pastures would have been aided by the building of wooden boats for example. Communities, economies and nations evolved. War and famine resulted as a consequence of competition for scarce resources, from arable land, fresh water and now oil. Civilisations rose and fell due to climate change.

 

Who, where and when set in motion the evolutionary cascade?

 

God bless.

 

 

Related Article:

 

"Charles Darwin: The Natural Selector". Profiles, The Ambassadors Magazine. Vol. 12, Issue 26 (July 2009). URL: http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue26/profile3.htm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Kelly. Armagh City, Northern Ireland was educated at Saint Patrick's Primary School and Saint Patrick's Grammar School in Armagh City, the ancient and ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. He graduated from Queen's University of Belfast with a degree in accounting, and has been appointed to the Northern Bank's anti-money laundering unit in Belfast. He regards himself as a citizen of the world with a keen interest in all spheres of life including, science, technology, history, sport, culture and travel. His email is ryankellycountyarmagh(at)hotmail.co.uk.