Jeffrey Getzin answers “Please explain how our species devolved in...”

Terry asked this question about The Last Town (Wayward Pines, #3):

Please explain how our species devolved in less than 2000 years into creatures described as "abbies." And, maybe I missed it, but what exactly caused our total extinction in less than 2000 years?

Jeffrey Getzin Yes, left on their own, there is no way humans would change that much that quickly. However, as Crouch was quick to point out, humans didn't leave the…moreYes, left on their own, there is no way humans would change that much that quickly. However, as Crouch was quick to point out, humans didn't leave themselves alone. With so many environmental factors at play vast mutations could be occurring. And while most mutations either have no effect or are deadly, some are beneficial and would be selected. Throw in a few climate or environmental changes, and the species could evolve quickly ... at the cost of a lot of others dying.

The evolving is a bit of a leap but not a huge leap. What's MORE of a leap is how Pilcher could have predicted it. While it is true that most of Evolution is (contrary to popular opinion) not random, it IS extremely complex, which would make it virtually impossible to predict a genetic outcome past a few generations with any degree of certainty at all.

But it's a work of science fiction, and Pilcher is described as one of the smartest people on the planet BEFORE the fall of humanity, so if anybody could have predicted it, it makes sense that Pilcher can. He was a genius, and this prediction was in his area of expertise.(less)

flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more