Quotes of the Day 37: Adaptation

Quote 1: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change.” - Charles Darwin

Quote 2: “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it or learn from it.” - Rafiki, The Lion King

Charles Darwin was a famous English biologist who created the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin was born February 12th, 1809 and died on April 19th, 1882. Darwin was cared for by his 3 older sisters after his mother died at 8 years old. Darwin disliked the Anglican school system as science studies were dismayed. Darwin learned his science knowledge at Edinburgh University where he met many radical students who shared Darwin’s more scientific beliefs. After educating himself, Darwin joined a trip around South America on the Beagle left England on December 27th, 1831. Darwin’s journey at 22 years old where he found and made incredible discoveries all leading up to his published work Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle. Darwin developed the theory of evolution alongside the observations of ornithologist John Gould. Darwin created the tree of evolution and the idea of the process of natural selection, but he had to shun himself from society to avoid their criticism of his work. Darwin would continue working in science for the remainder of his life as he wrote books, struggled with illness and the threat of the more conservative minds, and watched as more of those around him died.

Darwin’s quote explains that the species who respond to change the best will be the species who survives longer than those who are the strongest or the smartest. Darwin saw adaptations and change as the most important factor to survive in animals, and for us, adapting to the ever changing world around us is a necessary part of the journey to success. We can’t always stay in the same familiar environment as that environment will change and we need to change with it.

The Lion King is an animated coming-of-age movie made by Walt Disney Animations and released on June 15th, 1994. The movie is based on Shakesphere’s Play, The Hamlet, with a score made by Hans Zimmer that won him his first awards and his scores are still used today in the remake of this movie which is the most profitable musical broadway show. The movie was originally going to be more documentary-like, but it was changed to make the movie that we have today. The movie follows a lion pride in Tanzania with King Mufasa and their newborn son, Simba. Rafiki, a mandrill, is the shaman of their pride and he also overlooks Simba as he grows. Simba is introduced to the lands of his future kingdom, but he is restricted from going off into the borders of the kingdom. So of course, Simba goes there with his friend Nala, some hyenas chase them, and Mufasa learns from Zazu that Simba is at the borders. While Mufasa forgives Simba, Mufasa’s younger brother Scar plots with the hyenas to kill Mufasa and Simba to reclaim the pride lands as their own. His plot is partially successful as Mufasa is killed in a stampede of Wildebeest, but Simba escapes to the deserts. The rest of the movie follows Simba as reclaims the Pride Lands.

Rafiki’s quote explains that there are two ways to deal with our past and those two ways are to run from the pain or learn from your mistakes. The responsiveness to mistakes and adaptation from your past self is Rafiki’s way of helping Simba regain confidence after his father’s death. Growth from a painful past will change us into a better person.

I hope you adapted your life just a little bit with these quotes. Have a great day everyone!

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