Edward de Bono observed that hybrid machines can't do either job as well as the original specialists. The half-sedan x half-4WD works inefficiently as either city run-about or rugged over-lander. But I'd rather ignore the reference to bikes or machines implied by the photo.
In plants and animals hybrids reliably manifest the best characteristics of the parents, and rarely show any of the undesirable traits. Hybrid plants are better adapted to the local conditions, are more productive and more disease resistant. Hybrid animals have better health, intelligence, longer life spans and far fewer vet bills.
"Hybrid human" is really a wrong concept because the idea of race is false. Genetically we are so alike that there is no equivalent for the breeds we see among domestic animals.
Nevertheless, despite the difficulties some people have in accepting the new, I think there are tremendous advantages in hybrid cultures: flexibility, open-mindedness, more creativity, better adaptability. We taste new foods, enjoy new kinds of music and dance, and get the opportunity to think about new ideas and how they work.
Individuals who straddle between two cultures by parentage or immigration often have a hard time of it. Finding and understanding a sense of mixed identity is tricky, but only because the world is still slow to recognise and embrace it.
Hundreds of thousands are now on the move due to political tyrannies, genocide, war, famine, sea-levels rising, and other changes caused by global warming. Those of us who become hosts offering asylum need to become Good Samaritans to find the paths that most assist refugees to heal from shock and trauma, and to adapt as productive and welcome citizens.
I think Australia has improved enormously with each new wave of immigration. It's true, I'm ashamed to say, that 15% of our population are racists (see David Marr's well researched Quarterly Essay, "The White Queen") but that means that 85% are not. 85% overwhelmingly welcome multiculturalism and diversity, and support the closing of The Gap for Aborigines.
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at January 1, 2018 7:07 PM MST
It can go either way. Many hybrids are sturdier and more viable than the purebred variety. But it can also go the other way, with recessive genes that are lacking a 'better' dominant gene in its paired position.
O-uknow 