The subject of evolution is vast, in content and in span. Natural selection plays a crucial role in evolution. The term was coined by the father of evolution, Charles Darwin. He imagined a future where the population grows exponentially, and the increase in resources is linear and steady. By these assumptions, he theorized that all species cannot survive peacefully. There will be strain on the resources and the weak will feel the pinch of adaptation and survival. The fit will survive and thrive. This was termed as 'survival of the fittest. After Darwin theorized natural selection, he differentiated it with artificial selection or selective breeding. Selective breeding is much more widely seen nowadays, if you observe carefully. For example, take a look at the purebred dogs around you. Long before humans domesticated them, the wild dog was very generic looking, and had characteristics very similar to its cousin species―the wolves. Humans befriended wild dogs, and some groups found a characteristic interesting. This could have been a soft, furry coat; or a more docile dog; or an increase in size. This led to the various species of dogs we see today. Thus, selective breeding is human induced, and hence, is not natural. It is not forced by nature or by the surroundings. In natural selection, when a stressful situation is induced, the best organisms equipped to adapt, survive. Their close counterparts who may not be so good at adapting, go extinct. In contrast to natural selection, artificial breeding is much simpler. In the above example, we take out the management, it is an example of natural selection. But because the management wants better employees, it is artificial selection. It is analogous to a florist cutting off the branches of a rose plant that does not give good quality flowers. It is through pruning he gets the best blossoming plants. Natural selection depends on the stress provided by nature in the form of limited resources, the food chain, climate, invasion of an aggressive species, etc. Natural selection can take a long time if needed, and can take a short time too. Artificial selection is due to the stress provided by humans in the form of culling, pruning, breeding, etc. The results of artificial selection are almost immediate, as the desired traits are seen in the next generation itself. It is a marvelous phenomenon―selection of species. It is happening all around you, and in you too. Darwin said that we are woefully ignorant of these changes, and he was so true. Changes could be happening in your garden and even in your house. The nipples on a male, the organ appendix, and the ear lobe muscles, are all useless organs on the human body. As they have no functions whatsoever, they have been sidelined and are slowly diminishing, as we speak. Mosquitoes are gaining resistance against the liquid vaporizer mosquito repellents, and it is pressuring the companies to produce even more potent versions. The virus that causes malaria is developing resistance to quinine, the anti-malaria drug. Some species of bacteria have started eating nylon and metabolizing it to thrive. Some species even survive in containers that hold radioactive waste. Some mice have even started learning to deal with the classic mousetraps. They can get the cheese without getting trapped. Some of them ignore the traps altogether. Ever wondered why coniferous trees are dominant in temperate and cold regions? Ever wondered why palm trees are everywhere in the tropics? Ever wondered why polar bears are covered in white insulating layer of tiny hollow, miniature pipes (no, it is not fur)? Ever wondered why giraffes have long necks? Ever wondered why the trees in the Amazon and Congo cover the whole forest in a dense canopy? Ever wondered why the steak you eat is so tasty, succulent, and meaty? Ever wondered why the flowers you buy are so colorful and attractive? There is so much to see out in nature and everywhere. But children today are stuck to television and computers. May be they are adapting to the indoors. Get out of the house and marvel. Go out and explore to see how the planet is changing. Go out and ask why.