> evolution isn't teleological. There isn't some ideal life form we're purposefully evolving toward
While the universe may be indifferent to the outcome of the human experiment, I'm not! I want my contributions and descendants to live on in a form that recognizes who I was and what I did. I want technological civilization to last for millennia. That can't happen if IQ we let average IQ decay by fifteen points century over century.
Evolution is also not concerned with your personal desires or motives.
Which isn't to say that nonfunctional selection criteria cannot be at play (the peacock's tail is a common example). Just that when push comes to shove, traits with practical survival characteristics matter.
One instance in humans that I'm aware of that operates differently from what might be expected is a recent (< 5,000 years) adaptation in much of the Tibetan population that distinguishes them from their ancestral cousin Han Chinese. This is a mutation which gives them enhanced survival capabilities at high altitudes. But it isn't (as I understand) a trait which increases the body's capacity to absorb or hold oxygen, but one which allows it to do better with lower blood oxygen levels. Leading to among other things, greater fecundity in those circumstances.
I'm also aware of other adaptations elsewhere, particularly of highland Inca/Andes populations with generally shorter stature (lower overall metabolic demands) and increased lung capacity. Again, somewhat distantly recalled stories.
Point being that the path to greater levels of adaptation may not be the one you'd think.
Apparently there are THREE separate populations adapted to high altitudes with entirely different approaches. CO2 saturation, Nitrous Oxide tolerance if I remember right, and I don't remember the third. But it sure points out the inventiveness of evolution, that as short as human history is, we've evolved physically to fit environments we never could only a few thousands of years ago.
Also three or so that I'm aware have achieved lactate tolerance, also within fairly recent times. Northern Europe, one in Africa, and I believe a third in south Asia, though I'm not positive of that.
Evolution and selective pressure is a thing. I've no doubt it's continuing to happen for humans, though to what result remains an interesting question.
While the universe may be indifferent to the outcome of the human experiment, I'm not! I want my contributions and descendants to live on in a form that recognizes who I was and what I did. I want technological civilization to last for millennia. That can't happen if IQ we let average IQ decay by fifteen points century over century.