Most people do not understand what is meant by the "survival of the fittest". Most people equate with predator-prey relationships. But that is only one aspect of what evolutionary science means by the term. Its meaning has been bastardized by capitalism ti imply unfettered competition between species.

In reality there is a competition, and is remains between the species and ALL aspects of its environment, albeit genetics or climate. "Fittest" refers to a species adaptability to changes in stressors in its environment. Those that find the right combination in the species attempt to adapt are the fittest. Those that do not adapt quick enough go by the wayside like the Edsel, i.e. extinction.

When the Permian extinction occurred, 90%of extant species became extinct. Therefore, 90% were unfit for the new conditions they found themselves in. Cronoids were definitely not alone.

@t1nick I do appreciate the complexities of it, but the phrase is a more convenient shorthand. As your last paragraph demonstrates, thre are no guarantees in life.

@Magister

The shorthand unfortunately obscures and perpetuates the inaccuracy and fallacy. Just sayin' lol

@t1nick You are quite right, but we can't have everyone knowing the truth.

@Magister

The problem I encounter is the use of "Social Darwiniam" (totally fallacious misinterpretation) to justify Libertarianism and Trumpian Capitalism.

@t1nick That's something that cannot be justified, was demonstrably wrong, as Nazi Germany showed the world, and Trump is an exemplar of why it's just plain wromg.

True. Interesting adaptation structure before plants moved on to dry land and became vascular.