This post may take a while to explain, but basically Darwin's laws of natural selection finished many years ago.
While they may still apply in some small pockets of the world. Most of us have moved past evolutionary theories and are no longer dependant on the natural environment for survival. We are however dependant on other technologies. Because most of us don't have the hunting and gathering skills to survive. The need to reproduce has all but dissappeared as the world is bordering on massive overpopulation.
So whats to come?
We have about 500 years before we can create gods. yes thats right!
Ray Kurzweil is a respected guy who predicts
Human Immortality in the 2020s but Ray's predictions are a bit premature.
If I were a respected person my theories may also be taken seriously. And they should be.
My own predictions lead to around 200 years before immortality is a viable and sustainable option due to financial, moral and economic factors, but it will certainly be experimented with in 20years.
Why? Because people want to!
My own timeline includes combinations of genetic shifts to where humans become a blend of species taking bone and muscular composision from other species (which may include aquatic ot airborne mammals or insect etc) as well as nano and cybernetic research where the "Future Human" species will include mechanical body or brain storage components or even manufactured living componentry, ie Blade Runner.
Combinations of these things will occur in the future as well as many other topics.
If you want to see what happens. You probably can.
Immortalitity still requires some kind of retention of the phisical mind however, but does not require the need for sex or reproduction. (Star wars General Grievous is a good example) It requires a mindshift to be satisfied with yourself and a logical progression to needs for maintaing New Manufactured species. Having already mentioned that most body componentry can be manufactured and potentially no need for Original Humans. Thios raises all kinds of what if scenarios.
IF there actaully turns out to be a "soul" (without a physical requirement) in what ever physical form surely the control over this "soul" will be the next limitation on the evolutionary scale.
With the ability for "everyone to know everything" through information sharing, surely these problems can be solved and the reliance on a matter or anti-matter may be irrellevant.
So I give that a rough unbased speculative estimate of 300 years past immortality to create a god.
So start thinking. Blow your own mind! Younger generations are already thinking about these things with video game titles exploring the acceptable boundaries.
Russ.