Science Cows and Darwinism

**Rain Man** · 11-29-2008, 02:01 PM

It seems to me like, in the long term, one of two things is going to happen to cows and pigs and other livestock animals.

First is the human-inspired option. People breed cows and pigs and chickens and stuff to be particularly tasty. It would seem that this active breeding would eventually produce cows that are already segmented into hamburger patties and stuff, maybe with perforations to make it easy to remove steaks and ribs and stuff.

Second is the natural selection option. Livestock animals are killed by the millions by humans. It seems that at some point they'll spontaneously evolve to tasting like urine or something, so humans will stop eating them. The ones who taste less good will figure out how to pass their genes along, and one day BAM! they'll hit critical mass and in the course of a year or two all beef will taste like urine and we won't be able to eat cows any more.

Which do you think is more likely?

Shag · 11-29-2008, 02:05 PM

I, for one, welcome our new bovine overlords...

milkman · 11-29-2008, 02:07 PM

I suspect it's more lilkely that as time passes, they'll evolve into Roaseanne and Rosie O'Donnell look-alikes and no one will want to eat them.

**Rain Man** · 11-29-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shag

I, for one, welcome our new bovine overlords...

Good point. They have a lot of time to plot and plan out in those fields. We shouldn't let the big eyes and cud-chewing fool us.

JuicesFlowing · 11-29-2008, 02:16 PM

But sausage will always taste good, right?

orange · 11-29-2008, 03:08 PM

Neither of your options will occur. Evolution plays no role in domestic animals because natural selection is short-circuited by human intervention. The urine-flavored cattle would never be allowed to reproduce. Your first option is comical - but surprisingly close to the reality of the future. We will be eating pre-formed patties etc., but they will come from a vat, not a living animal.

I chose "Soylent green is people" in your poll because that more closely represents what will be the inevitable result - synthetic food for the masses, extremely rare real meat for the very rich.

Groves · 11-29-2008, 03:14 PM

Maybe they go all "earthworm" on us and we can just snatch a ribeye or two and they grow em back by Monday. A never ending supply of beef.

Next up: Forever Bacon.

Mr. Laz · 11-29-2008, 03:35 PM

rainman is more than a little strange

Lonewolf Ed · 11-29-2008, 03:47 PM

I've always wondered why Evolution gives a damn one way or the other.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 11-29-2008, 06:38 PM

There is a 3rd option, and critical mass has already began. Cows have "evolved" and there is a protein that they carry that transfers itself to those who consume it. Essentially, over the years as people have eaten more and more cow, they have come to look more and more like a cow. I'd say that in no less than 2 decades cows will be able to out run us and therefore not have to worry about us eating them anymore. ****in mainstream media, they never talk about the shit that really matters...........

blueballs · 11-29-2008, 06:42 PM

it's already at work
I think it's call Hindu

Jenson71 · 11-29-2008, 07:07 PM

Most beef cattle used to be fed simply by grazing in fields, which allowed them to be pretty lean and a lot more healthy to eat.

I think more cattle are put into smaller areas of farmland, with little room to roam and less grass to eat. So farmers are giving them more corn-based feed, which definitely affects our own diets, of course, in a less healthy way.

So, in a sense, they are being forced to evolve in this case. And not many people or animals are benefiting.

View Poll Results: What is the long-term outlook for livestock animals?
Tasty, pre-segmented meals on legs.	8	38.10%
Foul-tasting evolution leading to placid days on the range.	2	9.52%
There's a third option, which I describe below.	3	14.29%
Do I look like Mendel or something?	0	0%
Soylent Green is people.	8	38.10%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

11-29-2008, 02:01 PM
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-492449 VARSITY	Cows and Darwinism It seems to me like, in the long term, one of two things is going to happen to cows and pigs and other livestock animals. First is the human-inspired option. People breed cows and pigs and chickens and stuff to be particularly tasty. It would seem that this active breeding would eventually produce cows that are already segmented into hamburger patties and stuff, maybe with perforations to make it easy to remove steaks and ribs and stuff. Second is the natural selection option. Livestock animals are killed by the millions by humans. It seems that at some point they'll spontaneously evolve to tasting like urine or something, so humans will stop eating them. The ones who taste less good will figure out how to pass their genes along, and one day BAM! they'll hit critical mass and in the course of a year or two all beef will taste like urine and we won't be able to eat cows any more. Which do you think is more likely?
Posts: 145,279

11-29-2008, 02:05 PM	#2
Shag MVP Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Casino cash: $-1296658	I, for one, welcome our new bovine overlords...
Posts: 5,186

11-29-2008, 02:07 PM	#3
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	I suspect it's more lilkely that as time passes, they'll evolve into Roaseanne and Rosie O'Donnell look-alikes and no one will want to eat them. __________________
Posts: 70,769

11-29-2008, 02:16 PM	#5
JuicesFlowing Losing with passion. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oblivion Casino cash: $10004925	But sausage will always taste good, right?
Posts: 4,399

11-29-2008, 03:08 PM	#6
orange MVP Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Denver, CO Casino cash: $10004900	Neither of your options will occur. Evolution plays no role in domestic animals because natural selection is short-circuited by human intervention. The urine-flavored cattle would never be allowed to reproduce. Your first option is comical - but surprisingly close to the reality of the future. We will be eating pre-formed patties etc., but they will come from a vat, not a living animal. I chose "Soylent green is people" in your poll because that more closely represents what will be the inevitable result - synthetic food for the masses, extremely rare real meat for the very rich.
Posts: 11,661

11-29-2008, 03:14 PM	#7
Groves Turning the Corner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springfield, Missouri Casino cash: $-751459	Maybe they go all "earthworm" on us and we can just snatch a ribeye or two and they grow em back by Monday. A never ending supply of beef. Next up: Forever Bacon.
Posts: 2,387

11-29-2008, 03:35 PM	#8
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	rainman is more than a little strange __________________
Posts: 95,626

11-29-2008, 03:47 PM	#9
Lonewolf Ed Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Olathe, KS Casino cash: $10606233	I've always wondered why Evolution gives a damn one way or the other.
Posts: 3,774

11-29-2008, 06:38 PM	#10
Mr. Flopnuts FINALLY! The wait is over. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Future Is Now!!! Casino cash: $19947565	There is a 3rd option, and critical mass has already began. Cows have "evolved" and there is a protein that they carry that transfers itself to those who consume it. Essentially, over the years as people have eaten more and more cow, they have come to look more and more like a cow. I'd say that in no less than 2 decades cows will be able to out run us and therefore not have to worry about us eating them anymore. ****in mainstream media, they never talk about the shit that really matters...........
Posts: 56,649

11-29-2008, 06:42 PM	#11
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	it's already at work I think it's call Hindu
Posts: 14,233

11-29-2008, 07:07 PM	#12
Jenson71 fides quaerens intellectum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: United States Casino cash: $8330900	Most beef cattle used to be fed simply by grazing in fields, which allowed them to be pretty lean and a lot more healthy to eat. I think more cattle are put into smaller areas of farmland, with little room to roam and less grass to eat. So farmers are giving them more corn-based feed, which definitely affects our own diets, of course, in a less healthy way. So, in a sense, they are being forced to evolve in this case. And not many people or animals are benefiting.
Posts: 15,986