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Evolution in a Nutshell

by Martin Malloy

281 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #06-0605; ISBN 1-4120-8849-6; US$21.00, C$24.15, EUR16.37, £10.85

Evolution in a Nutshell examines the peculiarities of the human species, their uncommon mode of evolution and the corruption of their adaptive social structure.

About the Book

Evolution in a Nutshell is a common book designed to show the peculiarities of the human primate and examine changes in the adaptive social structure of the species. Further, evolutionary concepts are developed throughout the book since they are important in understanding events that drive evolution. Concepts, for example, formed by biological scientists studying geological and other data convinced them that evolution is deterministic, but without purpose. The scientific conclusion is illustrated for the reader by common and uncommon animals such as elephants and duckbill platypuses, eagles and tapeworms and chimpanzees and humans. The characteristics of the acutely different animals are explained by evolution acting on a potpourri of genes produced by the random process of genetic variation. In a nutshell, it is proposed to the reader that nothing is planned.

Concepts developed throughout Evolution in a Nutshell help the reader understand why large dinosaurs were cold blooded and large mammoths were warm blooded. Conceptualizing makes it clearer why the two big animals became extinct and are represented today by smaller descendants. Truly, evolutionary concepts make it easy for the reader to infer worms cannot act with comprehension while chimpanzees can plan for the future. Seeing the larger picture helps one envisage the physical appearance of the common ancestor of orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees and humans. Hopefully, the reader will conceptualize that men and women by any other name are still great apes as much as roses by any other name smell just as sweet.

Evolutionary concepts aid the reader in examining various theories of evolutionary scientists and to formulate personal hypotheses. Concepts are devised to become intuitive, like hunches or 'gut feelings', but as theories must be proved, there are few yes or no answers. Evolution in a Nutshell does not state that viruses preceded bacteria or Neanderthals evolved from Homo erectus. However, the book does present facts such as viruses and bacteria coexisted in the Precambrian seas and Neanderthals had larger brains than humans. The book cannot convey Neanderthals were smarter or less intelligent than people or what caused them to become extinct. The book imparts that Neanderthals buried their departed in tended graves wherein fossils of flower seeds were found. Flowers are sentimental symbols of love and compassion and other qualities that sustain an egalitarian social organization. Indeed, the book might lead the reader to believe that Neanderthals were sensitive egalitarians who loved their friends and family.

Evolution in a Nutshell favors the anthropological view that love and compassion are positive properties manifested by humans and chimpanzees. The discovery of sentimental symbols in Neanderthal society infers the positive properties are innate in some or all primates. There is also the negative side of humans and chimpanzees in their hatred and aggressive methods of killing their fellows. The book proposes that intuition, or that old gut feeling maintains the negative side doesn't fit anymore than a square peg fits in a round hole. The human primate is portrayed to the reader as having too many square pegs for the number of square holes. Evolution in a Nutshell speculates on the uncommon modes of evolution that possibly produced the square pegs that trouble the virtually hairless primate. Reasons for the troubles are proposed by comparing the social organization of the Western World and the pristine society of human hunter-gathers to the social structures of disturbed and undisturbed chimpanzees.

The reader is advised that no purposeful progression is preordained in the chronological events of evolution from the creation of life by natural selection in the Precambrian Period until humans evolved. Moreover, faith based speculations are treated as extensions of survival instincts and aren't considered except for historical reference. Passages from religious texts are cited such as social conformance urged by stern prophets or kindly behavior advocated by humanitarian preachers.

Evolution in a Nutshell does not offer the reader a 'things will get better' prophesy. The theme is objective and suggests a practical, but startling solution to the perpetual dilemma of inherently loving and compassionate humans. The book is not meant to be a downer, but purposeless evolution isn't compatible with 'hope springs eternal'. The theme is a seed which might grow and perhaps be cultivated by those who read Evolution in a Nutshell.

About the Author

Martin Malloy was born in the small town of Vienna, Georgia. He graduated with a BS degree from Mercer University and an MA from Stetson University. He was a science teacher and after retiring became a freelance writer for various newspapers and periodicals. Martin and his wife, Elayne, are snowbirds who live in Florida and Western North Carolina.