The Evolving World: Evolution in Everyday Life

By David P. Mindell

Book Overview

In the 150 years since Darwin, evolutionary biology has proven as essential as it is controversial, a critical concept for answering questions about everything from the genetic code and the structure of cells to the reproduction, development, and migration of animal and plant life. But today, as David P. Mindell makes undeniably clear in The Evolving World , evolutionary biology is much more than an explanatory concept. It is indispensable to the world we live in. This book provides the first truly accessible and balanced account of how evolution has become a tool with applications that are thoroughly integrated, and deeply useful, in our everyday lives and our societies, often in ways that we do not realize. When we domesticate wild species for agriculture or companionship; when we manage our exposure to pathogens and prevent or control epidemics; when we foster the diversity of species and safeguard the functioning of ecosystems: in each of these cases, Mindell shows us, evolutionary biology applies. It is at work when we recognize that humans represent a single evolutionary family with variant cultures but shared biological capabilities and motivations. And last but not least, we see here how evolutionary biology comes into play when we use knowledge of evolution to pursue justice within the legal system and to promote further scientific discovery through education and academic research. More than revealing evolution's everyday uses and value, The Evolving World demonstrates the excitement inherent in its applications--and convinces us as never before that evolutionary biology has become absolutely necessary for human existence.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067402558X
• ISBN13: 9780674025585
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Evolution: Not only Fun, but Practical

There isn't enough of this kind of work. We need more telling us how very practical evolution is- how it has influenced every area of our lives, and how very valuable it is. One of the principle objections to evolution by Literal Creationists and Intelligent Designers is that it doesn't result in anything tangible. Though scientists have often pointed out how false this assertion is, Mindell here reveals for everyone how all-encompassing evolution was, and is, in our lives. While it is obvious that we couldn't live without evolution, we also can not have a productive life without the study of it. This is not a book for someone who has no background in biology, for Mindell assumes the reader is well-versed in the basics. Mindell is also at his best when discussing evolution and biology, and at his worst when discussing religion. He recapitulates the history of religion and science in Europe, and ignores the contributions of men of religion to science. Mindell has the concept that Galileo was attacked for heresy, whereas Gould conclusively showed that his issue was a mixture of science and poor politics. (It's not a good idea to write a book about the most powerful man in Europe, the Pope, and name him Simple. It's a worse idea if he's your friend.) Mindell speaks of the evolution of religious sects, and picks the Copts as the Christian outlier, when the Copts had a large amount of cross-fertilization with other sects, and are not all that different in theology or practice from other Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches. The true Christian outlier, the Nestorians, are only mentioned in passing by Mindell. Basically Mindell is not aware enough of religious history. I would have wished a greater background in theology in order to fully bring out Mindell's valuable insights. For it is a great idea to look into the history of languages and religions to see how they evolve, much as Pennock did in Tower of Babel. Mindell even makes it clear that this discussion is only evolution as metaphor, and not true evolution- something other authors don't do as well as he did. After reading this book a Literal Creationist might still think that evolution is false. I don't see any way they could still believe it doesn't have practical, tangible results.

Interesting and informative, but strays a little

I thought the first chapter of this book, placing evolution in the context of previous scientific theories that were slow to gain acceptance against religious backlash, was very strong and very insightful. Had that chapter been expanded to book length, I would have given this book five stars. Alas, succeeding chapters weren't as strong. I kept returning to the same question: has the author told me how the theory of evolution per se, as distinct from biological science, informs something from everyday life? Not in all cases, I had to admit. The discussion of biology-informed forensics was extremely interesting but to the point: Mindell describes how timelines of murders can be pieced together based on entomological evidence, essentially coming down to which sorts of bugs have begun feeding and how far they've gotten. Fair enough, but couldn't such a timeline be formed just as well without reference to evolution? I believe it could. Please don't misread me -- Darwinian evolution is the central unifying theory of biology, and no longer a matter of legitimate scientific dispute. But not every practical insight from biology touches on evolution or ultimately derives from it. The book is clearly-written, interesting, and informative, just not always on target.

The world through the eyes of an evolutionary biologist

For anyone who has ever wondered why there is a new flu vaccine each year, why dogs and wolves look similar, or how to know if the meat you purchased at the store is from the right animal, this book will be a enlightening read. It shows how evolutionary thinking is a powerful way to understand and integrate much of what we can observe. Mindell finds interesting (sometimes spellbinding) examples from throughout science, medicine, history and daily life that illustrate how evolution is useful and what the study of evolution really is about. It is both an interesting read and a great introduction to modern evolutionary biology. While some areas are understandably a bit dry (e.g. a thorough accounting of historical changes in church doctrine regarding science), this is made up for by an abundance of riveting accounts -- like the use of phylogenetics in the trial of a gastroenterologist accused of injecting HIV into a nurse with whom he was having an affair -- a case in which Mindell served as an expert witness.

A Great Counter to ID and Creationism!

Of the many flaws in Intelligent Design, or its earlier version Creationism, one that stands out prominently is that all of us (including those who dismiss evolution) use the results of evolutionary biology every day. From the pets and domestic livestock we raise, through our garden and crop plants, innovations in public health and our understanding of ecology, we utilize evolutionary principles. Indeed, biological sciences could not function well without them. Removing evolution from biology is like the attempt to remove Mendelian genetics from biology in the Soviet Union under Stalin. David P. Mindall's new book "The Evolving World: Evolution in Everyday Life" is a great antidote to the creationist jag we are current undergoing. Many will undoubtedly ignore it, as they have other very articulate written explanations of evolution, but I would hope that a large number of the non-committed will read it. Otherwise it will be preaching to the choir to some extent. Still I learned some interesting things while reading it even though I am a professional biologist. New and previously known discoveries on the origin of the dog, horse, cow, cabbage, etc. are well described (I do wish he would have included Indian corn, but you can't have everything!) Disease organisms and their evolutionary significance are presented, including the very evolutionary development of resistance to drugs used against them. Mindell then goes on to evolution and ecosystems, biodiversity, bioprospecting, forensics, and finally its significance to world religions and current culture. Read this book - it just might help you make informed decisions about modern science, especially biology.

Evolving understanding

This book provides a much-needed calm and thoughtful survey of the ways in which evolution impacts our everyday lives. It is not meant to be a weapon in the culture wars, but rather is just a sane perspective that is full of interesting and original thoughts. It would make a terrific introduction to evolutionary biology for a non-scientist freshman seminar, precisely because it is neither preachy nor vitriolic.