Two (new) excellent scienzy books are must-read.

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  • March 10, 2019 at 11:11 am #98710
    Billy_T
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    Must-read, IMO, of course.

    The Tangled Tree    , by David Quammen.

    https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Tangled-Tree/David-Quammen/9781476776620

    And The Goodness Paradox, by Richard Wrangham.

    https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/530240/the-goodness-paradox-by-richard-wrangham/9781101870907/

    I’m decades removed from science classrooms, and have spent most of my recent reading binges on novels, literary criticism and history, so my science background is pretty dusty. But I really liked these (brand new) books.

    The first is primarily about the most recent science on evolution, focusing on HGT (Horizontal Gene Transfer), which I had never heard of before . . . and how this radicalizes previously held beliefs about our evolutionary history.

    The second also deals with evolution, but focuses on the “domestication syndrome ” and “reactive aggression versus proactive aggression.” Again, was not aware of these terms as used by the author and his sources. One of his main points of reference is the difference between chimpanzees and bonobos.

    As Spock would say, Fascinating.

    March 10, 2019 at 11:30 am #98712
    zn
    Moderator
    Billy_T wrote:

    The second also deals with evolution, but focuses on the “domestication syndrome ” and “reactive aggression versus proactive aggression.” Again, was not aware of these terms as used by the author and his sources. One of his main points of reference is the difference between chimpanzees and bonobos.

    That’s a big one. I’ve kept up with that one–the issue of “domestication syndrome.” It’s really interesting. I don’t know that particular book but the whole “chimps v. bonobos” thing has come up before in stuff I’ve read.

    One really fascinating aspect of “domestication syndrome” is the emergence of dogs. There’s evidence that dogs and people are inter-domesticated. That is, once dogs emerged, they were not only evolutionarily scripted to be inter-connected with people, it works the other way too, which is why service dogs can automatically be counted on to do things like calm old folks, or calm individuals testifying in court over traumatic issues, or calm school kids who have faced group disaster and so on.

    There’s a ton more on all of this to discuss.

    March 10, 2019 at 2:14 pm #98716
    Billy_T
    Participant

    ZN,

    The author talks a lot about dogs versus wolves. Basically says dogs are domesticated wolves, which makes sense.

    The fascinating thing is the physical changes too, via evolution. Floppy ears, generally smaller faces, less difference between male and female, smaller bones.

    Of course, with dog breeds, this becomes much more complicated.

    The author also talks about the scientist, Belyaev, who experimented with wild minks. He and his assistants began to separate minks that seemed less aggressive and okay with humans, from those who weren’t, bred them, tracked them, and noted the behavioral and physical changes. Because mink generations are relatively short, they could see this over the course of decades.

    Much tougher to be certain with Home Sapiens, of course, but there are noticeable physical changes between us and Neanderthal, which the author sees as the next best comparison to our ancient ancestors prior to Homo Sapiens. We don’t have floppy ears yet, but perhaps that’s coming!

    ;>)

    I wish I had a better background in science, and enjoy talking about this stuff with those who do. Books like the two I mention really help me extend the knowledge base.

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