footnote: (dated 2/15/2012)
This is a day of celebration for me (and for all mankind), because in reviewing this flowchart for the purpose of explaining its significance, I had used Google Search with the key-words "Cultural Evolution". The magical power of the inter net then takes me through the entire work on this subject by the world's best minds---from 19th century to the present. I do not have to leave my desktop to access all this! Please excuse my rambling style of writing. I just need to say it in some manner, and quickly. For there may not be a tomorrow for me.
First, I want to make this chart a basis for the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. This substitution simply reflects the gain in human knowledge in the past 2500 years. Before, the writer thought the sun and the moon were created by God to give us light; and it could be instantly done by a simple command. Today, we know that the solar system had come into existence more than four billion years ago; and the Creator had devised a complex thermodynamic system involving living cells which posses the ability to replicate and engage in life's activities by the radiation energy of the sun. The design concept came before the site selection of the sun-earth system in the Milky Way galaxy.
The completely reversible processes of photosynthesis and respiration I have called "Miracle A". In the former process heat energy from sunlight is a necessary input, while in the latter process heat is given off to perform work. All lifeforms can continue to engage in activities as long as sun light is available. Mankind differs from other lifeforms with the ability to perform mental work with brain cells and a nervous system. I have identified this as "Miracle B". In my book I pointed out that the likeness between God and man is in the mind, not the biological body.
Now I will return to a discussion of the importance of light in human activities. With the exception of sexual activities, all productive work require light for the eyes to see, to enable hand-eye coordination. Thus, the first global demand for oil discovery in Penn. (1859) was to light the lamps for night time activities. This effectively increased the length of the work day so that people can work longer and earn more money. Or for the wealthy this can increase their time for enjoyment of life and spend their money.
In lamp oil production, there was a waste product---the gasoline. It burned easily and was dangerous to dispose of. Very quickly, the internal combustion engine was invented to make profitable use of this substance. Then it has become the main product for oil. Need I say more?
Next, {to be continued..}
