http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/11/29/the-making-of-the-fittest/ Human Animals at the Crossroads of Culture, Science, Religion and Media Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:58:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/11/29/the-making-of-the-fittest/#comment-15511 grumpypilgrim Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:57:54 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1851#comment-15511 I checked this book out from the public library. I found it both a worthwhile (and quick) read, and also a bit disappointing. Although Carroll does a nice job of providing examples of diverse DNA research, he too easily leaps to the conclusion that his examples confirm evolutionary theory. The latter chapters of the book give better arguments, but the early chapters too often provide a single case study, and then, without providing any basis upon which to generalize, declare that evolution is confirmed. These are just the sort of arguments that feed Creationist claims that evolution is merely another religion. This issue notwithstanding, the book is a good primer on DNA research for virtually anyone curious about the topic. I checked this book out from the public library. I found it both a worthwhile (and quick) read, and also a bit disappointing. Although Carroll does a nice job of providing examples of diverse DNA research, he too easily leaps to the conclusion that his examples confirm evolutionary theory. The latter chapters of the book give better arguments, but the early chapters too often provide a single case study, and then, without providing any basis upon which to generalize, declare that evolution is confirmed. These are just the sort of arguments that feed Creationist claims that evolution is merely another religion. This issue notwithstanding, the book is a good primer on DNA research for virtually anyone curious about the topic.

]]> http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/11/29/the-making-of-the-fittest/#comment-15134 Alan Lund Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:56:09 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1851#comment-15134 Ben: Not <a href="http://cosmicvariance.com/sean/" rel="nofollow">that</a> Sean Carroll. <a href="http://www.genetics.wisc.edu/faculty/profile.php?id=98" rel="nofollow">This</a> Sean Carroll. Ben: Not that Sean Carroll. This Sean Carroll.

]]> http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/11/29/the-making-of-the-fittest/#comment-15125 Erich Vieth Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:22:23 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1851#comment-15125 Thanks for the review. I've ordered a copy based on your review and similar high-praise among a large number of commenters at Amazon. Thanks for the review. I’ve ordered a copy based on your review and similar high-praise among a large number of commenters at Amazon.

]]> http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/11/29/the-making-of-the-fittest/#comment-15121 Ben Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:44:38 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1851#comment-15121 I guess you are familiar with Cosmic variance? <a href="http://cosmicvariance.com/2007/11/25/turtles-much-of-the-way-down/" rel="nofollow"> I guess you are familiar with Cosmic variance?

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