Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

If you leave out "spontaneously"!


Specifically if you leave it in! It's a matter of viewpoint or scope.

"Spontaneous" can be defined a few different ways: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spontaneous

From the link "2: arising from a momentary impulse" you get the implied meaning from the original comment if you assume standard human experience of a "moment" IE a few seconds or less.

However you could argue that human evolution is but a moment in the scope of the universe.

And then with definition "5: developing or occurring without apparent external influence, force, cause, or treatment"

The only way it wouldn't be spontaneous would be if an external actor (Deity of your choice?) directed human evolution somehow. To say this is debatable is an understatement..

And so we have fun in word play and hopefully appreciation of different viewpoints.

:-)

edit: rearranged for better flow




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: