A Small History of Big Evolutionary Ideas - Robin May
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- Опубліковано 22 жов 2023
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The theory of evolution is often described as the biggest idea in the history of humanity. But evolutionary theory itself has evolved over time, often via landmark contributions from some very unusual characters.
This lecture investigates some of the biggest ideas about evolution, as well as some of the most ill-conceived.
We’ll meet aristocrats and criminals, clergymen and dictators and consider how evolution is as much a product of history as it is of biology.
This lecture was recorded by Robin May on 16 October 2023 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London
Robin is Gresham Professor of Physic.
He is also Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Professor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham.
www.gresham.ac.uk/speakers/pr...
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/e...
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I think we could do without the virtue signaling of calling Galton "disturbing". He was a product of his time and if he was so objectively awful then why were his worst ideas so enduring and popular? The history of science is filled with missteps and excursions down dead-end paths. It's pointless to judge a person of the 1800's by the morals of modern Western society, as well as to blame him for what the people after him did with his ideas. It is sufficient to point out where he wrong in his thinking on eugenics and move on without the holier-than-thou ad-hominem.
I'll bet all that fidgeting of the hands are an evolutionary construct to help the speaker keep from boggling down in nervousness.
I'm so glad that evolutionary theory turned out to be liberal. One day though it might be possible to exercise the influence of one specific gene at a time.
Definitely don’t listen to anyone that doesn’t know how to use the word literally. Literally.
Nice talk overall, but I have one quibble, with the statement at about @
With the 'evolution' of medicine and growth of hospitals the percentage of offspring surviving to adulthood has dramatically increased. Some of the diseases overcome are infective, measles etc, but some ailments are inherited and if fatal, or disabling, they probably wouldn't be passed on. The question I pose is does the system of healthcare in our society have a double edge in that some traits that would be bred out with natural evolution be more present in the future due to the amazing medical care available. Our modern societies have different needs than the preceding medieval ones, for example, where a strong lad who could plough all day or defend his community stoutly would be highly valued whereas today those characteristics are less needed than say abilities with computer programming etc. And healthcare is allowing those with physical weaknesses to survive, with perhaps continued medical help throughout their lives. How will this affect the evolution of humanity? Will populations need more medical help to survive; go to any surgery and you will see ever increasing numbers leave with carrier bags full of medications; unheard of when I was a child. A case could be made that in the past there were no treatments available for some ailments, certainly less so in the case of many cancers. It's a conundrum, with both ethical and moral implications that are not easily resolved.
Is the same Galton of the Galton board?
A Small History of Big Evolutionary Ideas 1205pm 23.10.23 scopes monkey trials aside... his nibs, bill bailey (who i have no problem with), will have something to say about this lecture. maybe bill should add his two penneth to the overall discussion re: evolution, who decided they'd succumbed to such a revelation, and who silenced this notion prior to our mate, darwin, stating evolution as an inherent fact....?
General uninformative speaks well.
Scientifically speaking, adaptation plays a pivotal role in the process of evolution itself. I desire to pinpoint, that life originated long ago in waters, fish scales was a predecessor of human skin. Amphibia fins gradually transformed into human leg. Brain size augmented with a hand of time. Crucially, horses species improved to a modern types. Finally, fashion and garments altered. In brief, it is just a few examples. Some of the are only surmises. How fine and tremendously interesting to discover novelty about nature and living creatures.. Sheer joy!
One thing I never see addressed in evolution is that "Random mutations" doesn't mean "Rare"
This was a wonderful lecture to listen to. I enjoyed its interesting content as well as the very fair and engaging professor.
Thank you for enlightening me on the origin of eugenics. An idea that has been destructive for a century and still influential. My ability to recognise the misunderstanding of others, and to offer a simple alternative has been improved . I’m very grateful. I came to Gresham’s UA-cam channel, hoping to deepen my understanding of Cosmology. I stayed, subscribed and have been treated with knowledge that is responsible, respectful, rewarding, entertaining and trustworthy. Thank you.
سخنرانی خردمندانه و تاثیرگذاری است . سپاسگزار کوشش روزانه ی شما برای فکر کردن منتقدانه هستم .
John Hunter described an e evolutionary theory very similar to Darwin's about 100 years prior
Not far into the lecture yet: what about Gregor Mendel?😊
Fab stuff. Thank you!
27:00
So honey bees. A queen mates with multiple drones, not one.
Anyone who believes dinosaurs are extinct haven’t seen an Emu.