Every year, the dubious posthumous honour of the Darwin Award is bestowed on people who "[improve] the human genome by . . . accidentally kill[ing] themselves in really stupid ways." In Kenya, on 24 April 2014, two men taking selfies with a wild elephant were trampled to death by the irate pachyderm. To which of Darwin's principles are the Darwin Awards in homage?
A) natural selection
B) adaptation
C) evolutionary noise
D) mutation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Darwin Awards, which recognize individuals who have accidentally killed themselves in foolish ways, are a nod to natural selection, one of Charles Darwin's most important principles. Darwin theorized that only the fittest individuals survived and passed on their traits to their offspring, resulting in the evolution of species over time. The Darwin Awards, while humorous, highlight the dangers of being reckless and serve as a reminder of the importance of caution and good judgment.

Every Year, the Dubious Posthumous Honour of the Darwin Award