If there is a next step in human evolution (which there will

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This is a side-thread (excursion) to the main thread entitled
"How come so many people here treat AS like a race/club? "

in which the following topic was raised.

Well, the thing is, any mutation is a form of evolution, so if ASD involves a mutation, wouldn't that make it a part of evolution by default?

What are these steps of evolution I keep hearing about?

Evolution - Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, as a result of natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, and resulting in the development of new species.
...so, no, mutation by itself is not evolution unless it gets carried to your children, and their children.
I don't think aspies really have the natural selection bit sorted yet, either.
I believe future evolution is inevitable, but that it will come from more than just a 1% section of the human race that isn't particularly known for excessive breeding.
It will include aspies, but HOPEFULLY include others too

Newp.

And I don't even think Asperger's a disorder, per se, I think it is a completely normal part of human evolution.

But if we're going forward we will become something better, there are some benefits to AS and ADHD but the disadvantages are very real.

I think the next group will be very well-rounded, gifted and genius NTs. I've known a few and I can't say I'm not jealous.

I may be confused but isn't everyone that contributes to the gene pool part of the evolution? Also I don't believe evolution is always for the better, as far as I understand it you can evolve yourself right into extinction.

Have submitted a 'Not at all' vote.

I will not answer this question as it is stupid, evolution does not have steps.

First of all, evolution is a smooth and continuous process. It doesn't happen in steps. Nothing is ever a "next step in evolution".

Secondly, if ASS is the direction where humanity is evolving to, you would expect people on the spectrum to reproduce more than average, which is how the genes are propagated. This doesn't seem to be the case. On the contrary, many people with ASS have difficulties with intimate relationships.

Finally, I don't really think that the human race as a whole is evolving at all right now. Evolution happens because the environment around the species changes and only those specimens that have the right genes to be able to adapt to the changes will successfully reproduce. Humanity is keeping the environment controlled, we're living in houses in cities, usually far from the less forgiving outdoors which forces species to adapt. In addition, our technology and medical knowledge allows us to extend the lives of people who would've otherwise died and to allow people that would be unable to have offspring without assistance to be able to reproduce. In a way, we're counteracting evolution. The effects of it aren't noticeable however on the timescale of human medicine (3000 years at most).