In Character Conference Science Seminar  – Evolutionary Exobiology – 10406.27  2100 EST Terran

Speaker: Captain Eric Woo, CO - USS Huron

Subject: Evolutionary Exobiology, or Why Are Bolians Blue?
 
Synopsis: The Alpha Quadrant is full of an incredibly wide and varied collection of species, each wholly distinct culturally and physically. The Klingons are recognized by their familiar forehead ridge protrusions, Betazoids by their telepathic abilities, Ferengi by their large ears and yes, Bolians by their blue skin tone. But the question at hand is, why do the Klingons have such distinctive ridges? Why are Betazoids telepathic? Why do Ferengi have such obscenely large ears? And, yes, Why Are Bolians Blue? In this exciting seminar, we will seek to answer these questions from an evolutionary and cultural perspective. A background in science is not required - so pop on by and let's have some fun!

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Ens_Turok says:
Woo: Greetings again captain.

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: yawns :: Turok: Oh, good evening, ensign. Sorry - it's a bit late. A little tired. :: laughs ::

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: Out to late last night signing Klingon songs sir?

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: smiles :: Turok: Mind you place, ensign... but if you must know, I did enjoy some Klingon singing yesterday.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Hmm... we see to be really short on participants right now.

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: Which species are we covering tonight sir?

Host Capt_Woo says:
Well, I was planning to leave it an open session tonight, and discuss whatever the participants wanted to discuss. Seeing as you are here, would you like to do that? ::smiles::

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: That would be fine sir.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Well, let us wait a couple more minutes. :: smiles ::

Host Capt_Woo says:
In the meantime, you can think of some good questions and subjects to discuss.

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: sighs :: Turok: And how are you today, ensign?

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: Busy sir, attending lots of lectures today.

Host Capt_Woo says:
And you found them informative? ::smiles as he grabs a glass of water from the back::

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: sees Captain Knight enter the room :: Knight: Ah, captain! Glad you could make it!

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: Some were very informative. I really enjoyed the special ops lectures. They ranked right up with yours sir.

Capt_TKnight says:
::smiles:: Woo: Better late than never!  I was buried under PADD's!

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: sighs :: All: Well, it appears as if this is all we're going to get today. :: laughs :: Everyone must be over at the Flight seminar.

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: As well as the tactical and command lectures sir.

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: scratches his head :: Self: Or, someone neglected to announce this seminar...

Capt_TKnight says:
::grins:: Woo: More time for you to speak Captain

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok/Knight: Well! For tonight's seminar, I did not plan on speaking of any specific species. in fact, I was going to leave the floor open to any questions and any specific species you wanted to discuss, given that tonight is the last seminar. ::smiles::

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Ensign, you've been here before, so you know the format of the seminar. Would you like to start us off?

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: in the evolution process why have we not seen more offshoots of the same species such as the Romulan/Vulcans in your opinion?

Ens_Turok says:
::whispering:: Hello Ryushi.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: An excellent question. In the case of the Romulans and Vulcans, there were unique cultural factors that affected the separation of these two species - and can we even call them two separate species? I have always preferred to call them subspecies at the very least... but two cultures belonging to the same species. They diverged...

Ens_Ryushi says:
Woo: Hello, Captain.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: ... so incredibly recently. But as we all know, there was some philosophical animosity between the Romulans and Vulcans... The appearance of offshoots, in a space-faring species, depends only on ability to separate a population... once populations are separated, only then can they evolve divergently.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: This is seen in relatively few species, that's true... but the Ba'ku and the Sona are one such example... but again, only because the Sona and the Ba'Ku separated - and they separated even more recently than the Romulans and Vulcans.

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: winks at the ensign who just walked in::

Ens_Ryushi says:
::whispers:: Turok: Yes, If you call 300 years recently...

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: glances over at the ensign :: Ryushi: On an evolutionary scale, 300 years barely registers. ::grins::

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: How do feel the interbreeding of different species is going to affect the evolutionary process sir?

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Well, as I've said time and time again, evolution isn't going anywhere - it just happens. There's no end, no pinnacle of evolution. So this interbreeding is inconsequential, in those terms. Which brings up an interesting point...

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: What constitutes a species? Traditionally, a species is one that cannot interbreed with any other population... and if they do, their offspring are often infertile. But in this day and age, with modern technology, you have all sorts of species interbreeding, seemingly violating this definition of species.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Any thoughts on this phenomenon?

Capt_TKnight says:
Woo: To be honest Eric, I hadn't even considered that

Host Capt_Woo says:
Knight: There is a theory that most humanoids in this galaxy were... programmed to be similar, having been seeded in this galaxy by one race. But if that were true... consider the following. This race would have had to have planned for extremely specific genetic structure... they would have had to control evolution itself.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: And, if that theory were true... then what it essentially means, is that the entire Theory of Evolution is killed.

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: I was wondering if we were creating a new species ever time two species new to each successfully create offspring.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: It would mean that nothing is really evolving... because some Progenitor race millions upon millions of years ago planned out every evolutionary step such that all species evolved divergently, somehow, spread across thousands of lightyears...

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Theoretically speaking, those two species shouldn't even be able to breed. It would be like me trying to mate with Asparagus.

Ens_Turok says:
Self: That can't be possible...can it?

Ens_Ryushi says:
::Gets a horrible image of Captain Woo with an asparagus::

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Statistically speaking, anyways. :: winks:: But it seems that the Powers of the Universe somehow caused most species to evolve divergently, leaving most humanoid species able to interbreed with one another... it is a real mystery, isn't it?

Ens_Turok says:
::Smiling at the thought:::

Capt_TKnight says:
::shudders he hated asparagus before this::

Capt_TKnight says:
Woo: I've always found it interesting that many of the new species we meet out there are humanlike in their appearance

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Today, you find people of all sorts of intermarriages... Klingon/Human... Bajoran/Cardassian... even Vulcan/Klingons. And these children have been interbreeding with other children of mixed species. The very definition of species has been blurred, you see? Are these new species? Who can say...

Ens_Ryushi says:
Isn't it once said that a humanoid species went about, and populated the galaxy?  Thats why we all look relatively the same?

Host Capt_Woo says:
Knight: Statistically speaking, an extremely small proportion of them should be humanoid... we should have more species like, say, teh Horta of Janus IV. But that is not the case.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Ryushi: Yes, that's the most common theory. But it is a very dangerous theory... if it were true, it would undermine centuries of biological thought...

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: However, you do also hear of significant difficulties during conception and pregnancy between partners of different species.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Many such partnerships depend on medical technology and genetic therapy in order to make such a partnership feasible. But they are almost always feasible. So... :: smiles ::

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Anyone have any questions? Or comments? Or things they would like to bring up?

Capt_TKnight says:
Woo: I don't think so right now ::smiles::

Ens_Ryushi says:
Woo:  No, Sir, I think you've just about covered it.

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: In your opinion, why don't we see more shapeshifters sir? They would seem to be one of the most adaptable races out there.

Ens_Ryushi says:
Turok:  Because they hide in their little Nebula.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Ah, an excellent question. Unlike what we just talked about, where there have been an incredible number of humanoid species in the galaxy, the shapeshifters are something different, aren't they? I personally can think of only three different species who can shapeshift...

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: ... The Founders, of course, Allasomorphs, and Chameloids... the Allasomorphs and Chameloids are extremely similar, but the Founders are something entirely different, aren't they?

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Actually, I fully expect that we shouldn't see as many shapeshifters... Statistically speaking, this should be an extremely rare occurrence, and I am surprised we do not see more variability in this galaxy.

Ens_Ryushi says:
Woo: Yes, but the Federation knows absolutely nothing about them, because, like I said, the Founders hide out in their nebula.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Ryushi: That is true, the Founders are an extremely xenophobic species. That both means that we know far too little about them to formulate any conclusions... but it also means that, since they remain collectively in the Omarion Nebula, there have been very few opportunities for, say, splinter groups to leave. As I understand it, the Founders...

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: ... value highly their cohesion and unity.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: But a better question is... do they evolve? Do the Founders need to evolve? In the face of a hostile environment, do they evolve in the sense that we have of evolution, or do they simply alter their physical form?

Ens_Ryushi says:
::in a low voice:: All:  Yes, especially, cohesion... hehe

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Thoughts? Comments?

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: surprised that Ens. Turok is silent... he usually has something to say ::

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: I'd would say they just alter there form to fit the situation.

Capt_TKnight says:
Woo: Captain if you'll excuse me, I hate to do this but there's a problem aboard the Triton...thank you for letting me sit in

Host Capt_Woo says:
Knight: My pleasure. Thanks for coming. ::smiles::

Capt_TKnight says:
::nods and smiles:: Captain

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: It has often been said that species that do not evolve, die. But perhaps in this way, the Founders are evolving in their own right... active, immediate evolution.

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: Being so closely knit a group the process of their evolution was either much faster or much slower. Although I am unaware of how they reproduce.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: We do know that the Founders engage in something called the Great Link, which enables rapid and thorough exchange of thought and idea. In this way, an adaptation - a new form, a new way to survive - is quickly submitted to the Great Link, and this "adaptation" propagates through the entire population immediately.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Yet another example where the terms that we use today could use some tweaking.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Any questions on this topic before we move on?

Ens_Turok says:
Ryushi: Ask the captain a question, he's a wealth of information. ::Smiling::

Host Capt_Woo says:
Actually... if I may...

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: There is one topic of interest which I would like to bring up.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: More of a philosophical topic.

Ens_Turok says:
::Awaiting the topic::

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: In most cultures of the Alpha Quadrant, there have always been an intense struggle between science and religion. For centuries, it was believed that this could not be reconciled, and could never be reconciled.

Ens_Ryushi says:
~~~Turok:  I have no questions for Captain Woo, as this is not my field of expertise.  Don't Worry, I don't expect you to answer me telepathically, in case your telepathic abilities are not as developed as mine are~~~

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: This was no different when evolution was introduced. On cultures throughout the galaxy, there have been this struggle... but on Earth, it's common known as the debate between evolution and what's known as creationism.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Now, mind you, at no point will I suggest that there is no merit... this has always been an interesting debate. On Earth, this Creationism theory culminated in the 17th century by research from the Archbishop James Ussher...

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: ... Who, working backwards using various religious texts, "determined" that planet Earth was created 5-6 thousand years before his time.

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: Now, today, of course, we know that this is not the case; we can see the bigger picture, we understand the workings of the Milky Way, of the Galaxy. But at the time, such primitive cultures had little to no understanding of such things.

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: Why could we not have been "created" by a greater being who allowed for us to adapt and survive through change and evolution sir?

Host Capt_Woo says:
All: And it is true that evolution occurs extremely slowly, so slowly that no one ever sees it at work. But we have the fossil record, which is probably teh best evidence, and we have genetic studies. But... in fact, we do see evolution at work... in species whose reproductive rate and lifespan are incredibly short... :: turns to address Ens. Turok

Ens_Ryushi says:
::notices a beeping on his PADD::

Ens_Ryushi says:
::Answers the call::

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: To that, the best answer I can give you is another question: Why would such a greater being create organisms that are not already suited for our environment, and why would that environment not be rendered constant, to reduce the stress on the organisms placed down?

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: smiles :: Turok: Actually, I can give you an even better... comment. In a way, the Progenitors have been like Gods, haven't they? ::grins::

Ens_Turok says:
::Smiling back::

Ens_Ryushi says:
Woo:  Sorry, Captain Woo, There's a problem with the Apache's computer core.  *Apache*:  One to beam up.  Energize.  ::dematerializes as the transporter grips him::

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: These supposed... Progenitors, we are to believe, spread genetic material throughout the universe... planned our evolutions...

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: ... Perhaps these are the Higher Powers that we seek. ::winks::

Host Capt_Woo says:
What do you think?

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: I like to think that death might just be another form of evolution for us as we move to a higher plain.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Ah, yes... Death is one of the great mysteries of all time, isn't it? Who knows what happens in death? Even in Death, we have an interesting evolutionary question that can be posed... why die? What is the purpose of aging, of dying?

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: And perhaps the search is more important than the actual finding.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Perhaps... or perhaps we will simply never know.

Host Capt_Woo says:
:: smiles :: And on that note, let's end for tonight. Unless you have any more questions? ::grins::

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: and perhaps the higher power are within us all along, sir.

Ens_Turok says:
Woo: No sir, you have covered everything extremely well.

Host Capt_Woo says:
Turok: Well, I'm glad you think so. :: smiles :: I noted that you attended most of my lectures. It is refreshing to find someone so interested in this. ::smiles::