Synopsis
The Selfish Gene is a book on evolution by Professor Richard Dawkins that extends on Charles Darwin’s explanation of evolution. The first edition was published in 1976.
Dawkins uses the term “selfish gene” to argue that a predominant quality to be expected in a successful gene is ruthless selfishness. This selfishness, he explains, will usually give rise to selfishness in individual behaviour for the survival and evolution of the species (although in some circumstances a gene can achieve its goals by fostering a form of altruism at the level of individual animals).
Lessons
The main takeaway for me was perhaps to see how Dawkins develops an intellectually-constructed, concise argument for his gene-centred view of evolution.
Quotes
“Let us try to teach generosity and altruism, because we are born selfish. Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to, because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs, something that no other species has ever aspired to do.”
“In the beginning was simplicity.”
“Perhaps consciousness arises when the brain’s simulation of the world becomes so complex that it must include a model of itself.”
“We are all survival machines for the same kind of replicator – molecules called DNA – but there are many different ways of making a living in the world, and the replicators have built a vast range of machines to exploit them. A monkey is a machine that preserves genes up trees, a fish is a machine that preserves genes in the water; there is even a small worm that preserves genes in German beer mats. DNA works in mysterious ways.”
Something interesting
Muscles evolved in animals to achieve rapid movement. The force of a muscle is generated in the form of tension.
Fireflies attract mates by flashing lights at them, and each species has its own particular dot-dash flashing pattern. I recently saw flashing fireflies on top of Signal Hill. It’s an incredible sight in nature.
A typical pride of lions consists of seven adult females and two adults males. Young male lions born into a pride are driven out in their adolescence.
Mother pigs sometimes eat their own children.
In frogs neither sex has a penis.
Links
Richard on Twitter