gazainone

Richard Dawkins wrote this book with the main purpose of supplying the reader proof that the theory of Evolution and Natural Selection is a demonstrable fact. Dawkins states that this inclination was due to the fact that his previous books have naïvely assumed the fact of Evolution, which means that he didn't explicitly lay out the evidence in detail on just how Evolution is true. It is this method that Dawkins makes the case for evolution, drawing from the fossil record, comparative anatomy, contemporary experiments, and molecular genetics. Along with laying down a effusive amount of evidence for Evolution in his chatty (first person) style, Dawkins multi tasks in his endeavors by largely clarifying and correcting the common misconceptions on what the theory of Evolution states. In many ways, this book is also meant to address some of the valid questions that the naive general public may have in regards to Evolution; - Why don't we see evolution happening right now? - How can we trust the history presented by science of life on earth? - How do we know it is accurate? - Is there really a so-called missing link? - What is wrong with just presenting creationism and evolution as equally valid arguments in order to allow students to choose for themselves? Dawkins takes time to fully address all of these questions repeatedly in differing chapters, when addressing different topics. Dawkins does this while employing a "tutorial method", hammering repeatedly on aspects of natural selection, how the variation in our DNA provides a map to our ancestral heritage, and how an intelligent designer is a ludicrous notion once we've understand all the evidence collected to date, not only validating evolution but frequently and methodically disqualifying the idea of an "intelligent" designer. Dawkins begins his book at a more elementary level, but then uses chapter after chapter to build upon what pre-requisite information that was introduced in the previous chapter, to flesh-out an understanding of evolutionary topics at a more advanced level. It is at this point to where the book becomes highly specialized and detailed, with the language getting more technical and involved. One has to make a concerted effort to follow the information closely and comprehensively, otherwise a few points of emphasis could be missed. Even if one already has read on the general theory of Evolution, there is information that Dawkins uses that may have not been available to the reader before ( for example, learning that the hoof of a horse is homologous to the fingernail of the human middle finger, or that some dinosaurs had a "second brain" of ganglion cells in their pelvis, which helped compensate for the tiny brain in their head). This book is certainly worth rereading in order to become more familiar with the material. Dawkins as always, is a superb translator of complex scientific concepts. It doesn't matter if he's spinning metaphors for the fossil record (like a spy camera in a murder trial) or deftly explaining the scientific method by which scientists measure the genetic difference between distinct species. Dawkins fashions his arguments as a tutorial while employing the use of analogies and thinking exercises. The examples provided for his arguments are not merely used because they provide devastating arguments in favor evolution, but because they are also teachable moments. Here are some examples of simple analogies that Dawkins used while clarifying complex biological material to the reader: - How Genes, DNA and RNA works. Dawkins informs the reader that when the 2 strands of DNA is brought together from each parent into an offspring - it isn't as if all the DNA code is meshed or mixed together, like when one takes blue and red paint to make violet. Dawkins clarifies what really happens by giving a more fitting analogy that different DNA strands being combined are more like the shuffling of two different decks of playing cards. - Embryological process. Dawkins compares the early developing biological process of the embryo to an invaginating ( or in-folding ) type of "origami" with the sheet tissue inflating and folding within itself. - Speciation occurring within a genus . . Dawkins uses the literal description of an island, which is surrounded by geographical barriers - further extending the concept of an "island" to any area which is keeps a species isolated from others of its like, to the point to where there is enough genetic variance between the two to stop any reproducing if the two ever came into contact with each other again. At other times in the book Dawkins uses both biological evidence and of the fossil record to further refute Creationists / ID hypotheses or criticisms and explain why they are wrong, such as the assertion that there are irreducible gaps/links between related species of animals ( ex Primates and Humans having a shared ancestry through many documented intermediates or land and water mammals ). When Dawkins uses examples of evidence he always has more examples that support his preceding examples, in this sense expanding on the homology of the skeletal structures of these species - emphasizing that the skeleton in any animal can be taken and pulled, or compressed, part by part, modified in different amounts, along different descendant lineages. There are many examples in which Dawkins is able to clarify underpinning results from the extensive fossil remains, such as tactfully demonstrating that there wasn't a "first person" i.e that every animal/person ever born, belonged to the same species as its parents. Here are some fascinating examples that Dawkins uses to further the weight of his evidence : - Deliberating the taxonomy (classification ) of animals in relation to the shared ancestors of all modern groupings of animals. - DNA and Embryological study. How DNA actually works on a cellular level, through a process of self - assembly/bottom-up procedure . . . following local rules at various levels, that are contrary to the idea that cells follow an a overall architectural blueprint - i.e order, organization and structure emerge as by-products of rules which are obeyed locally many times over, not globally. - Genetic vestiges. Remnants found in physiology and in the genetic code that indicate where modern animals are descended from. - The economy of energy that an animal or plant spends of developing and maintaining parts of its body in relation to the energy that it could use for more breeding ( passing on its genes). - Describes symbiotic relationships in the adaptation of species ( birds, bee's & flowers ), or a "co-evolution", a partnership occurring between organisms that have something to gain from each other, each contributing something to the other. - Meticulously breaks down how scientists use different types of dating ; Evolutionary time-scales / radioactive or geological clocks, overlap principle denodochronology in tree-rings. Technical description of the chemistry behind the dating of radioactive isotopes ( unstable atoms decaying into some other elements at a predictable rate ). The numerous photographs ( color plates with black and white illustrations ) in the book also helped reinforce his examples and were an unexpected surprise to see them placed throughout the whole book. Indeed, this book can serve as a handy reference guide after your initial read. Dawkins amasses a mountain of evidence in this richly illustrated, enormously readable explanation of the theory of evolution. That said, I doubt seriously that his book will challenge those who view evolution as only a theory, precisely because they would never open their minds to such a text as this ! I enjoyed reading Dawkins marshaling in overwhelming evidence that our Earth is billions of years old, along with evidence piled upon still more evidence to show evolutionary development of life on Earth is indeed the "Greatest show on Earth" - We all should be in awe of it as much as he is.

2022-12-11 22:56