--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In one of my latest conversations with…" description: "\"In one of my latest conversations with Darwin he expressed himself very gloomily on the future of humanity, on the ground that in our modern civilizati..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_civilization_in-one-of-my-latest-conversations-with-d_1075035.jpg" --- # In one of my latest conversations with Darwin he expressed… ![“In one of my latest conversations with Darwin he expressed himself very gloomily on the future of humanity, on the ground that in our modern civilization natural selection had no play, and the fittest did not survive. Those who succeed in the race for wealth are by no means the best or the most…” quote by Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_civilization_in-one-of-my-latest-conversations-with-d_1075035.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_civilization_in-one-of-my-latest-conversations-with-d_1075035.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_civilization_in-one-of-my-latest-conversations-with-d_1075035.jpg) > “In one of my latest conversations with Darwin he expressed himself very gloomily on the future of humanity, on the ground that in our modern civilization natural selection had no play, and the fittest did not survive. Those who succeed in the race for wealth are by no means the best or the most intelligent, and it is notorious that our population is more largely renewed in each generation from the lower than from the middle and upper classes.” [Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern civilization reduces natural selection, allowing the less fit to thrive, especially among the wealthy, while the population renews from lower classes. **In simple terms:** Weaker individuals succeed due to societal changes. Key Takeaway Recognize societal impact on evolution. Themes society evolution inequality Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - economic policy - education reform - wealth distribution - public health Key Concepts natural selection social stratification Questions to Reflect On - How should societies address this imbalance? - Can meritocracy be restored? A Different Perspective Economic success does not equal merit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Conversations Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversations-darwin-2698721/) [Darwin Expressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darwin-expressed-2698722/) [Future of humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-of-humanity/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligent/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Middle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Modern civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-civilization/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Natural selection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-selection/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Notorious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notorious/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Population](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/population/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Selection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selection/) [Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Upper class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upper-class/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [Another curious aspect of the theory of evolution is that everybody thinks he understands it. 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