Evolution

[tectak]

...pointless progress...

Read this criticism (you anthropomorphically proud heathens) and die:

When I first read the phrase: "pointless progress" I instantly
sprang to the keyboard to object to the use of "progress" when
referring to the scientifically validated theory of evolution
which never implies that there is any goal or 'larger
purpose' to the process. My objection was going to be that
since the word 'progress' possess two definitions, the
first meaning 'movement towards a goal' and the second
meaning only 'movement' it introduces an ambiguity that
could lead to the impression that evolution is a goal-oriented
process which it is not. I was going to suggest using
'alteration' or just plain 'change'.

But then I realized that the phrase "pointless progress"
was meant ironically and decided that the solution to the
ambiguity should be resolved in the opposite direction
in order to make the phrase more firmly ironic. I was
going to suggest using a different word; but I could
find none, as the ones I could come up with had either
three syllables, second syllable stressing, or were
lacking an alliterative "p".

So I gave up and decided that 'progress' was the best
selection after all.

BUT, I had already taken the time to write this, now
pointless, screed and was damned (probably quite
literally if an all-knowing, wrathful god actually
exists) if I, at least, wouldn't get the sadistic
satisfaction of knowing that there was a chance
(even if infinitesimally small) that some poor schmuck
would read through this damn thing with the hope of
getting something out of it only to reach the end
unrequited and suffer, because of this now fiendish
missive, the agonizing death that only the intellect
can know.

Precisement!
Best,
tectak