Evolution
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Evolution refers to the goal directed process of creating physical units capable of containing high levels of Consciousness.
Evolution initially occurs primarily as a process of environmentally driven mutation and selection of traits. In the early stages of evolution consciousness may impact the evolving physical unit both through internal and external operations. However, owing to the undeveloped state of the physical unit (see below) early stage evolution is primarily Natural Evolution. During the "natural" stages of evolution the outcome of the evolutionary process very much depends on the nature of the environment within which evolution occurs. Physical units that are developed in violent environments where resource scarcity is the rule develop traits suitable to survival in violence and scarcity. Physical units developed in utopian environments develop characteristics suitable for survival in utopia.
At a certain point in the evolution of a physical vehicle, the development of Cortical Areas in the brain and the presence of an Opposable Thumb make it possible for the physical unit to take increasingly conscious control of its environment. At this point it becomes possible to create environments and direct evolution.
As the cortical areas of the brain develop Natural Evolution begins to give way to Social Evolution. Eventually, as the physical unit gains control of its environment, natural evolution declines to virtual irrelevance and Social Evolution becomes the primary driver.