Despite it being odd to think about, humans are still evolving. We often assume that evolution consists of grandiose changes that occur much quicker and much more visible than is true. Like the many species, hominids and hominins alike, we have studied in this course, we are constantly evolving, just not as visibly as we think. We have learned about gene flow and genetic drift, which can be applied to humans today.

Gene flow is the movement of genes from one population to the next. According to lecture, this is often seen played out through colonization/colonialism, famines, trade, and wars. Although colonialism is more so a thing of the past (except for the effects of it), famines, trade, and wars still occur throughout the world. Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers often flee persecution (crime, war, corrupt leaders, genocide, etc.) to other countries, which may eventually bring new traits to the area (so long as people mate with varying groups of people). However, it is pretty likely that these barriers in culture may restrict gene flow, as stated in the notes. In examples of populations mixing (which despite these barriers, they still do mate), traits related to skin tone may also change because of gene flow, along with other phenotypes. Genetic drift is the idea that smaller populations are more prone to drift because they change more rapidly. An example of genetic drift is the Amish. They remain in small groups in pockets around the United States, and they do not mate outside of their own cultural group (other Amish). This still occurs today, naturally because the Amish still live in rural areas all around the country. Because the populations are so small, there is less mating that occurs and ultimately there is a higher chance of random variation in allele frequency to occur. As time goes on, due to mutations, humans may face a new set of phenotypes amongst other traits, like hair color, eye color, and so on. Genotypes will also likely change, in that susceptibility for disease may change due to ability of viruses and bacteria to evolve themselves and resist antibiotics and other medicines.

Environmentally, if things do not change, there will most likely be a lot of evolving to take place for humans to adapt to new conditions. As we have seen in many of the examples of early hominins (or any hominins pre-humans), some have been more suited to live and flourish in a variety of environments. For A. afarensis, they could live in the grasslands of Laetoli and the marshes of Hadar. Neanderthals primarily lived in Ice Age Europe (but were well adapted there; i.e. large mid-faces and noses). Many species of the genus Homo left Africa and lived in a variety of places. Humans, however, live all over the world in extreme heats and colds. It seems with the ever-warming of the earth that humans will either have to adapt to such conditions, or they will go extinct (as long as the earth is still here). It is possible that maybe phenotypes will change (or at least according to many hypotheses regarding surface area and temperature) to adapt to these new warm temperatures.

Lastly, if one thinks about evolution of cultural (and extended to societal) traits, it is clear many in a variety of populations are becoming more open-minded. Although many still are very much closed-minded, many things tens to thousands of years ago that were deemed unacceptable or invalid are widely accepted among populations today. Thinking about hot button issues that plague our country and world today have become more accepted by traditionally closed-minded groups. Political parties, their voters, and their constituents have expanded their party platforms. Although this example is not as genetic or biologically-based like the examples of gene flow and genetic drift, it still acts as an example of a cultural trait that is evolving across the world.