Human 'Evolution': Post Apocalypse
Welcome 
In the long and torturous period between Seasons 2 and 3 with little to no news, I thought it might be nice to mix it up a little with the last of us that remain here by inviting you to read my thoughts on the broader picture surrounding the future of the human race following 'day Z'. Studying psychology at university already provides me with a decent store of knowledge on the subject of the mind and I thought to combine two areas of interest, one academical and one recreational, would be a good way to pass the time for both me and you whilst we wait and also solidify my knowledge of the human psyche in the process. Also, if this is something you are interested in, then I would love for you to read my thoughts on this and provide me with feedback, possibly even sharing your own views and opinions, subjects which I may not have covered for us to consider (and maybe scrutinize 
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Whilst I do this, I will draw comparisons with events in real life, modern day society and the changes in human interactions that occur within Telltale's The Walking Dead game. I believe that using character comparisons sparingly will aid in getting my point across while keeping the discussion relevant to The Walking Dead universe.
This will, obviously be a lot longer than other posts you are used to on this forum, but if you are interested, stick around! The 'back and forth' that comes with psychological debate is fun for me and if you enjoy it as well, I would love to hear your opinions. Now with introductions out of the way, let's get started!
Future 'Evolution' in TWD Universe
1-5 Years
Now, I realize the longest length of time covered in TWD universe so far is close to half a decade. But within that time, there has been some drastic alterations in social interaction between humans. With death being a daily reality for people, needs and desires are simply... more simple. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html) are split into 5 sections as shown in the link given, which delves deeper into each section. At the bottom are the physiological needs of shelter, food, warmth, sex etc. In the game itself, most daily activities center around maintaining or finding new 'safe havens' for an individual or a group of people, looking for food supplies, water sources. Most people do not have the time to focus on getting their psychological needs met because they are highly focused on survival. Learning new survival skills is much more important than wanting to learn to play the piano or getting good grades for example. This change is crucial and has horrifying implications for future human development. THEY HAVE PSYCHOLOGICALLY EVOLVED ALREADY, all in a relatively short space of time.
Sure, that's just one aspect of human development, but what does this mean for future relationships with others? Family, friends, distant relations are all gone for most people. Relationships can be formed post apocalypse, but the guarantee of a long lasting bond simply isn't there. And guess what? That is a PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED. To feel loved, respected by peers. How can this be met as friends and family die around you and those you meet usually do not stick around for very long? In real life, technology has become a shield for the human race against 'mother nature'. We have EVOLVED to a point where we can increase our life expectancy through medical advances and improved quality of life. Without it, we are at the mercy of the elements and our natural predators. This 'shield' allows us to focus on other things besides survival, such as relationships with others and advanced skill sets.
Now, observe the sudden shift in human psychology. In the early days of an apocalypse, it's focused on the survival of yourself and others, others being family, close friends, even known associates. But the priorities shorten. At the beginning of the game, I cared for literally every person I came in contact with instantly and their deaths hit me extremely hard. Even Mark, who is introduced to us 3 months in. His death is met with abject horror and grief among the group. As I moved onto season 2, the human response to death could be brief sadness, sympathy or regret, but the survival trait is always present. A perfect example of this change is with Lee/Mark in season 1, episode 2 and Jane/Clem in season 2, episode 4. Mark's initial reaction to a dead body with an arrow through the head is centered on who the person was, in the 'pre-apocalypse'. He felt SADNESS and SYMPATHY for a person he didn't know. In contrast, Jane's reaction is centered around survival, as she claims that the recently dead are survivors and could have 'some useful stuff'. See the difference? The human reaction to death has altered to SURVIVAL, not EMOTION. Instead of the response of 'how the death affects the victim', it's 'how the death affects THEM'. This is because survival is the top priority now and humans have to ADAPT to this mindset in order to survive. Sure, it's termed cold by Luke in the game. Jane is visibly distant with everyone. But there is one person she becomes close to. Clementine. This need for a relationship she has not had for a long time surfaces and immediately, problems begin to develop. She becomes increasingly unstable, even going as far as to put herself in mortal danger to fulfill this need, resulting in her death. Because of this NEED for a satisfying relationship with another person.
5 years +
So, we have established that survival will become the prominent trait. It's what humans were built for, it's what all life is programmed to do. But how far will our evolution go 'post-apocalypse'? If we find the means to survive 10 years, 20, 30... maybe a few generations of survival. What else could change?
That is a question I will pose to you guys. Consider these questions:
- Will we physically change to meet the demands of the environment? Will we need our highly developed brains to survive akin to the way our ancestors did? Or will we find a way to utilize resources left to do more than just survive?
We may evolve traits that prey use to defend themselves against predators. In this situation, walkers would be our predators. One would think, eventually, that bullets will run out. There are no ways to manufacture such things without other tools, machines that require power and labor. Fortunately, we still have man-made objects that can assist with a walker encounter.
- How else could we change mentally? How would we interact with others?
We teach our children to be mindful of strangers from a very early age in today's society. Why? You could say being adults with life experiences and exposure to media outlets covering things like child abductions, we are trained this way. But what if it is genetic? What if we are afraid because deep down, somehow, we know to perceive strangers as a potential threat? You can imagine this being greatly exaggerated in a post-apocalyptic world. This is certainly the case where characters become increasingly distrustful of other survivors. Arvo approaching the group at the end of episode 4 is a great example. What is Kenny's reaction? He immediately gets anxious when Clem proclaims to know him and regardless of your response, proceeds to draw his gun. This to me, is an accurate representation of human interaction post-apocalypse. Fear. These people are a threat to your group, your community, your SURVIVAL (till proven otherwise) No wondering if you could be friends, if you share the same interests, etc. They are a threat.
- How will children develop in this world? What would be the issues surrounding their upbringing?
We have followed the journey of a child in a post-apocalyptic scenario in season 1 and have control of their actions and responses in season 2. Over a period of 2 years, Clementine has changed. For better or worse, according to your choices and opinions. She can be a pragmatist under the influence of Jane (i.e. survival first), an idealist under the influence of Kenny (i.e. family first) or a bad-ass lone wolf! How will she develop after this crucial period of change? Jane, while cold, was undoubtedly adept at the art of survival. Her need (as mentioned earlier), which would be a weakness to her, can ultimately lead her to death. Kenny, as hot-headed as he was, put the needs of others (specifically Clem and AJ) before himself. How long will these types of traits remain? The ones who survive and continue to do so, AJ if/when he grows up. How Clem will raise him will be influenced by how SHE was raised. She is 11, a critical point where the need for independence surfaces and influences from peers will begin to take hold. Will she retain the teachings of Lee? Will she adapt, but still be the same Clem? Or could she change forever?
Summary
The human psyche can change and adapt to the demands of the environment. It has happened for thousands of years to our species and will continue to happen. But how would we change in an apocalypse? Survival will be the key focus. Emotion and relationships will take a back seat. The game, TV-show and comics have all demonstrated this process. But how far would it go, if we survived generations?
What about the physical demands of the environment? Could we change physically, as well as mentally?
How will our social interactions be affected?
How will children fare in the later years?
P.S If you have made it this far, I'm really happy you took the time to read through my thoughts (unless you skipped to here, which erm... awkward :P ). Like I said, I just wanted to get my ideas typed up rather than uselessly floating around in my head for us to discuss, mull over. I'd appreciate it if you did give some feedback on anything that i've said, or anything at all so we can just keep talking until it's season 3 time 
. If not, i've really enjoyed typing this up, so it's a win-win for me!
Comments
This is much for me, and where I live already is dawn, I'm tired.
Can you summarize for me, please? ._.
I kind of summarized at the bottom. I only put questions there though and the in depth bit was my ideas. I could add a bit more. I just enjoyed getting this down
It's late evening where I am and I made myself tired doing this. zzzzz
Then tomorrow I will read u.u
Evolution is the wrong word to use. It takes hundreds of thousands of years if not millions of years to evolve. The right word would be mutation, that's when a gene changes and gets passed down. For example someone being immune to the bite, that gene would get passed down but the whole species wouldn't have it only that gene pool would. Or if not mutation more change? Since your points are more about adapting to life. In fact adapting would be the right word to use.
I rather doubt humanity's really changed in the space of a few years. Rather, they're just revealing their true nature - just as disasters, wars and other grand tragedies tend to do.
I also take offense to the idea that siding with Kenny is 'idealistic'. It's not that simplistic. I felt protective of Sarah and wish a balance could have been struck between compassion and pragmatism in educating her. On the same token, Kenny's irrationality and violence marks him as just another violent bastard to not emulate.
Honestly this is a world where natural selection returns for humans
The majority of my points focus on a branch of evolution called sociocultural evolution, I should have been more specific. But I do also wonder if, given enough time, these events could change our biology. There would be more exposure to disease and,malnutrition would be rife. Our body composition may have to change to suit the change in the external environment.
Yes but for it to change fast enough it would be mutation. But I would think that most if not all humans would die before they get a chance fo mutate.
Sure it's not that simple, but it's a huge part of Kenny's personality and would undoubtedly influence Clem heavily, regardless of his current state of mind. Kenny would serve as a role model for her, being the only sort of meaningful connection she has left at that point. The importance of family, doing everything (bad or good) for those you love. Kenny's unusual in that he lacks morals in some areas and is a character with many faults, but does have some good ideals. An extremely grey character.
Kenny being irrational and violent is a symptom of a combination of his conviction in his decision making, his desire to protect those closest to him and an idealistic mindset. He point blank refuses to accept the reality of some situations, holding onto ideals from his past. He doesn't think Clem should have to treat his wounds, but it's the reality of the world she has grown up in. She HAS to know how to do these things. It saddens him to see her 'grown-up' in that way.
So, you think it is just a case of us revealing our true selves? Do you believe the good aspects of human nature (compassion, logic, good nature) will remain? Or is it just a facade?
I think it's incredible in this interpretation that humanity survived long enough to create small semi-functioning societies. It's not just the dead that are a worry. We'd be at the full mercy of the environment. Without power, which at least two generations have taken for granted. The world would certainly feel a lot bigger and more scary.
I doubt such deep changes in behaviour and physics are possible in a few years. In a few thousands of years it is possible that there would be important physic changes to our species both if humanity had been axed (evolutionary changes) or not (artificial genetic modification).
Another thing to consider is that our own body plan and social structures comes from a evolutionary path that extends to an era in which we were just as in much danger of beign eaten than in the walking dead universe...
During the paleolythic we coexisted with lions, wolfs, bears, crocodiles, constrictor snakes, poisenous snakes, giant lizards (Australia and Indonesia), giant eagles (New Zealand, Africa and North America), machairodonts (sabertooth cats), hyeanas, leopards, jaguars, cougars, marsupial predators (Australia), rock crocodiles (Australia) and dozens of other megafauna species... Several groups of humans nowadays still live in similar conditions (granted, a lot of the animals are mentioned are extinct and the ones that made it to our time had been heavily reduced in number) and yet their body plan remains very similar to us as does their behaviour beyond the differences in culture and moral.
This link (http://australianmuseum.net.au/How-have-we-changed-since-our-species-first-appeared) demonstrates some of the changes that have occurred due to dietary changes, technological advancements etc. It says the introduction of flouride, which thickens dental enamel, has caused teeth to become larger, at a time when there was a noticeable decrease in teeth and jaw size. Fluoride has been used in toothpastes since the beginning of the 20th century. Just over 100 years ago.
A big problem with the theory of evolution is it's timescale. Sure the differences are huge between species over millions of years, but does it have a set timescale? I think we're constantly evolving, but the differences only become noticeable after a long period. It's easy when there is a 'compare & contrast' across generations, so to speak, but not so easy over a shorter time period.
Thing is that this are minimal morphological changes that are not genetical but a by-product of using tooth paste (which means that if we stopped using it this trend would dissapear), a much better example of recent human evolution is the mutation that has caused a lot of the population to became Lactose tolerants through all their lifespan.
Evolution is usually pretty gradual, sure, sometimes a pretty important mutation appear which may cause significant changes, but this happens very uncommonly and is a result of pure chance.
I noticed that in Season 2 there is a severe lack of regards towards the lives of children to the point where even Kenny, a man who is known to care for children since Season 1, is starting to show little concern with the fate of Sarah in Amid the Ruins and even supported the idea that Clementine had to be sent around Carver's community to help the group break them out of their predicament when anyone else could have done so in her place.
Does this mean that Clementine is only alive not because people care about her, but because she is useful to them? Being a hyper-competent eleven year old, she was an asset to the group so as long as she didn't have any emotional baggage that would drag the group down. Sarah clearly wouldn't have the time nor the support to do what Clementine did and how to cope after the death of her father, considering how fast she was tossed aside as soon as Carlos was permanently out of the way once the group didn't see any use for her.
Early on in the zombie apocalypse, the children's lives and their innocence were top priority, as shown by the behaviour of Kenny, Katjaa, and Lee. But since now time has passed in Season 2, suddenly the children were tried as adults and their age wasn't an excuse anymore, which showed just haw far humanity has advanced, or fallen, depending on your point of view.
It seems that in an apocalyptic scenario, children are encouraged to grow up earlier. The traits that are present in immature children (dependence, insecurity etc.) are not going to help them survive. Plus, adults do not have the time to form a dependent relationship with a child or vulnerable adult. They would be a danger to them.
Preserving their own life suddenly becomes a matter of the utmost importance. The concern for Sarah can easily be interpreted as them fearing the consequences of keeping someone like her around. In season 1, maternal instincts are present in mothers for their children and others by extension. Katyaa condemns you for saving Shaun at Hershel's, telling you to save the kids next time. It seems to be a no-brainer for people in the early days, "You should always save the children". But the lines start to become blurred in season 2, as there is an apparent willingness to consider abandoning the children. Jane, Luke and Clem can concede defeat where Sarah is concerned. Bonnie, after making a promise to all take care of AJ, proceeds to go through with condemning the baby to death by leaving and taking all the food, increasing the chance that SHE will survive. It slowly starts to become about them and not the child.
I don't think that would always be the case though. Would you abandon your own child in that situation? I would find it hard to abandon children anyway, but at no point would I even consider abandoning my own child. More to your point, I would find it hard to put them in any sort of danger. Imagine Duck survived and had levels of survival competence similar to Clem. In this scenario, he is the only one who can fetch the radio undetected. Can you imagine Kenny letting his own son do something like that?
In some ways I'm pretty cynical. Yet I don't think humans are innately rotten - it's just that we all have a capacity for great cruelty as well as compassion, and in times of severe stress it becomes that much harder to hold onto kindness.
Far as I'm concerned, Clementine can still represent that hopefulness regardless of who she ends up with.
The callous attitudes of the adults in the very first episode drive home how children are not underestimated as threats. Christa murders a surrendering girl barely older than Clem, Winston and Victor had no qualms with murdering Clem, the cabin group as a whole (barring the teenage girl who was isolated by her father) were willing to let Clem die horribly, and it's implied that Carver himself had even less qualms with manipulating children.
And then there's Arvo. Nobody cuts him any slack for being a crippled teenage boy, and even he changes his attitude towards Clem - instigated by witnessing her "murdering" his sister - enough to try and kill her.
Of course, in the very first episode those who assume that children are threats because of a supposed bite wound (Larry) were condemned by the narrative and characters. It's only by the next season is when the adults priorities as well as a narrative starts to shift to the other side.
I meant the "first episode" of Season 2. :P
Remember how Carver was talking about the next generation being 'tougher' than the last? Think of how superhuman little AJ is! He can survive for over a week with barely any food or water, has no problems with being out in the cold, doesn't have any problem with being thrown onto the ground during a gunfight, and can even live through being smeared with rotten guts and thrust into a horde!
:-P
Ah, my mistake.
Not to mention that he's a shape shifter as well, I could have sworn that he looked more like Carver in Episode 4, and suddenly became Alvin in Episode 5.
Haha AJ comes equipped with the standard thick layers of skin, water retention and a weakness for Clem's 'tongue face'. Evolution at work!
Considering that Carver is capable of using an arm he was shot in and talking with a bullet lodged in his jaw, I'd say AJ's definitely his son. ;-)
Best theory so far.
I agree we have a capacity for both. Scary to think though that cruelty would come out under extreme duress. It's not as if we live stress-free lives without being in the midst of total chaos.
I do think, however, that some traits are born into us. Just the majority don't really act on it until they are pushed to breaking point.