Evolution,

Or just a short story about feet.

Preoccupied with ‘the species question’ Darwin was convinced that different species could start by one earlier variety changing into another – by transmutation.

But how?

In order to properly talk about Darwin’s ideas I must first talk a little bit about the definitions. Mutation is a spontaneous, permanent change in the genetic information of a creature or being. It is very random and extremely chaotic. Mutations happen on both micro and macro levels of the DNA. Mutation could appear at birth, or it could be the result of a necessity to adapt to a new environment. The genomes that mutate do it solely for the purpose of surviving in a specific environment and under possibly malevolent factors. The purpose of mutation is to perfect a species. All this sounds like some kind of an uncontrollable process, but is it really so?

A single page simply is not enough for a fully developed thesis on a subject complicate as this, therefore… The purpose of this essay isn’t to comment on the various and numerous genetic diseases, nor the attempts of modern medicine to lead a battle against them. My aim is to look from a positive angle at mutations, both in general and in particular. In particular, my feet.

After I have gone over all the needed definitions and specifications, I can now talk a little about the main characters in this essay: my left foot, my right foot, my back and my orthopedist.

Well, what exactly about the left foot, you might ask - it is the same as the right one. When my feet were 12 years old (I was the same age by the way), showed indications of discontent. It appeared that I was growing too fast and they, apparently, had to carry all the weight. Even after a short walk, they would pulsate in dissatisfaction and swell in rebellion. And after a time they, my so called “feet” team, in another attempt to attract my attention, successfully drew in their ranks my back. My back complied with them. It caused me fatigue, tension and a good excuse for lying around in bed till noon.

A rebellion was on the rise.

It was time to bring in my orthopedist.

This smiling and outgoing individual wasn’t at all surprised. His fragile youth had already battled against many rebellions, just like mine. He explained that many of my peers have similar problems… hence his experience. The leaders of the rebellion, he said, had taken a severe action against their ‘oppression’ of my body’s extreme growth, they had evolved. My feet had each grown a couple of tiny bones so that they could support my body.

The appearance of these bones is my connection with the general topic of this essay – Evolution, mutation, Darwin. Personally I don’t blame Darwin, evolution, or mutation for any of this. I accept that I was just a battlefield for a battle, that Darwin described 150 years ago.