The Evolving World: Evolution in Everyday Life

by David P. Mindell

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 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.

Genres: Science, Biology, Evolution

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Anthony Friscia]

A mediocre review of evolution’s application in the modern day. It hits some of the obvious topics - artificial selection, evolutionary medicine, conversation - then some not so obvious ones - cultural evolution and the use in courts and the classroom. The latter two are stretching things quite a bit, and the books ends in a rambling section on evolution and religion which adds nothing to that discourse. A couple of the chapters might be good as excerpts for teaching, but they can be overly long. There are better treatments on these topics out there.

[Shanda]

Only read the chapter (4) recommended to me by my advisor. It was well-written and easy to understand. It included helpful figures and charts to better visualize and comprehend the evolutionary medical perspective applied to the study of major diseases and cancers.

[Tammy Fay]

I can't remember a whole lot about the book! Interesting but not overpowering.