ALBRIGHT: That's not history

Syd Albright (History Corner, Aug. 19) shows his lack of understanding of Evolution when he states that “we have actually devolved — not evolved,” since modern humans are smaller than his mythical giants.

Being “big and strong” are judgments which Evolution does not make. A population of a species, which naturally has variation already in it, evolves based on the ability to mature in the current environmental conditions, successfully mate, and produce offspring which survive. Populations of a species frequently evolve larger or smaller body sizes.

This process is not conjecture. The clearest evidence for it is what frequently happens when a mainland species ends up isolated on an island. The population may evolve over time to larger or smaller body size, depending on factors such as food supply and predators (or lack thereof).

I am disappointed that The Press printed this religious, conspiracy-theory laced article as a “History Corner” rather than a My Turn opinion piece.

JAMES FULTON

Post Falls