The selfish gene 1976 by richard dawkins gurteen knowledge. Hamilton and robert trivers was introduced to a wider public for the first time. Memes can explain why instagram is worth a billion dollars. Selfish genes and genecentered evolution bitesize bio. Jun 23, 2016 the selfish gene lays out a cool theory about what drives evolution. Other articles where the selfish gene is discussed. Dawkins came to prominence with his 1976 book the selfish gene, which popularised the genecentred view of evolution and introduced the term meme.
Dawkins uses the term selfish gene as a way of expressing the genecentred view of evolution as opposed to the views focused on the organism and. Search for and download any torrent from the pirate bay using search query selfish. Also by richard dawkins the selfish gene the extended phenotype the blind watchmaker river out of eden climbing mount improbable unweaving the rainbow. Like genes, selection favors the memes that take advantage of their cultural environment. Selfish genetic elements historically also referred to as selfish genes, ultraselfish genes, selfish dna, parasitic dna and genomic outlaws are genetic segments that can enhance their own transmission at the expense of other genes in the genome, even if this has no positive or a net negative effect on organismal fitness. In 1976, a littleknown biologist named richard dawkins published a book called the selfish gene, which presented a stark some said merciless version of evolutionary theory. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The fact that they replicate, together with certain further conditions means, willy nilly, that they will tend towards the evolution of qualities which, in the special sense of this book, can be called selfish. The concept of the selfish gene has been around for more than three decades. Just now i see it so clear total shift in the unconscious when at the start it seems like fates have set it up like so much magic just a ruse to get you in there seems. In discussing memes in the final chapter i was trying to make the case for replicators in general, and to show that genes were not the only members of that important class. Introduced in the selfish gene in 1976, the concept of memes has itself proven highly contagious, inspiring countless accounts and explanations of idea propagation in the information age. The selfish gene is indeed a seminal work in the history of biology primarily because dawkins takes the socalled gene seyeview of evolution to its logical conclusion.
The selfish gene lays out a cool theory about what drives evolution. What is a meme and in what ways does it function like a gene. First coined by richard dawkins in the selfish gene, a meme is any idea, behavior, or skill that can be transferred from one person to another by imitation. The meme machine audiobook by susan blackmore, richard. This is the book in which dawkins introduces the theory of memes the seemingly selfreplicating pool of art and science, literature and. Jun 05, 2015 perhaps the main claim of the book is that the fundamental unit of evolution is the gene. Richard dawkins in this revised edition of his classic, richard dawkins demonstrates how cooperation can evolve even in a basically selfish world.
Richard dawkins first proposed the concept of memes, units of culture which replicate within human minds, some 30 years ago in his book the selfish gene. Selfish gene by richard dawkins, first edition abebooks. Its one of the odd beauties of this whole mess that dawkins himself coined the term meme, and did so in the selfish gene. I read it at the start of 2014 before beginning an undergraduate degree in genetics and i found it incredibly helpful. Jun 10, 2015 if you want a suggestion for the free audiobook or for reading a book, heres fightmediocrity beginners reading list.
Dawkins says in this anniversary edition of the book that he regrests naming it the selfish gene because people go into it believing that the thesis of the book revolves around an inevitability of the most selfish genes, and by asoociation, creatures surviving. Dawkinss pithy writing style and mastery of telling detail combined to make the book one of the popular and controversial books on evolution ever written. Debate over selfish gene theory heats up genetic literacy. The selfish gene quotes showing of 152 let us try to teach generosity and altruism, because we are born selfish. Selfish genetic elements historically also referred to as selfish genes, ultra selfish genes, selfish dna, parasitic dna and genomic outlaws are genetic segments that can enhance their own transmission at the expense of other genes in the genome, even if this has no positive or a net negative effect on organismal fitness. In that book, he showed how both individualcentric and gene centric explanations of evolutionary processes make sense, and some aspects of evolution are only explainable from the selfish gene s point of view.
The extended selfish gene by richard dawkins, hardcover. In recent years, dawkins has become outspoken in his atheism. It has made of evolutionary theory a vehicle for its replication. Just as genes propagate themselves in the gene pool by leaping from body to body via sperms or eggs, so memes propagate themselves in the meme pool by leaping. Dawkins uses the term selfish gene as a way of expressing the genecentred view of evolution. It was met with controversy and become one of the most talked about concepts in evolutionary biology for years thereafter.
May 29, 2016 in 1976, the selfish gene became the first real blockbuster popular science book, a poetic mark in the sand to the public and scientists alike. Dawkins defines the fundamental unit of culture as the meme 143, analogous to the gene. The world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, dawkins argues, acts of. Mathematical games reveal that nice 157 behavior evolves, even from selfish genes. I have a problem with the loose definition of a gene.
The selfish gene book by richard dawkins thriftbooks. In that book, he showed how both individualcentric and genecentric explanations of evolutionary processes make sense, and some aspects of evolution are only explainable from the selfish genes point of view. The selfish gene is the most wonderful book for anyone interested in evolution and the one who wants to know about the marvels the biological world possesses. Celibacy goes in direct opposition with sex, and thus, gene replication. First coined by evolutionary biologist richard dawkins in his 1976 book, the selfish gene, the term describes. Richard dawkins signed this book at the cheltenham festival in 2019. The important biological work of such figures as w. The book also introduces the term meme for a unit of human cultural evolution analogous to the gene, suggesting that such selfish replication may also model human culture, in a different sense. Jan 04, 20 a few popular science books rise above the genre and become popstars of the book world bestsellers. Youtube, youtube channel, video marketing, youtuber, igtv, erika vieira, video, instagram hatecast clint taylor. The selfish gene is a 1976 book on evolution by the biologist richard dawkins, in which the author builds upon the principal theory of george c. In it professor dawkins articulates a gene s eye view of evolution a view giving centre stage to these persistent units of information, and in which organisms can be seen as vehicles for the replication of genes. The selfish meme is disappointingly yet another bad book on memetics.
Selfish genes and, if you allow the speculation of this chapter, memes too have no foresight. The selfish gene tsg by richard dawkins is one of these rare books. For example, in some societies, celibacy is a popular meme. Memes, like genes, are replicators, and this enthralling book is an investigation of whether this link between genes and memes can lead to important discoveries about the nature of the inner self.
Richard dawkins on the internets hijacking of the word meme. Dawkins uses the term selfish gene as a way of expressing the gene centred view of evolution. Kathy griffins celebrity runins my az index audiobook. Published in 1976, tsg is not only still in print, but according to the a long, chronologically uninterrupted trail of stamps on the card inside of the 30th anniversary edition from my local public library, is still being read. The selfish gene audible audiobook unabridged amazon. This book will completely change the way you see people, animals, and all of their interactions. The word was introduced at the end of a book that otherwise must have seemed entirely devoted to extolling the selfish gene as the beall and endall of evolution, the fundamental unit of selection. Id rather see the math for myself, because the way gene is defined in the book necessitates a probabilistic definition of what constitutes a gene. The selfish gene by richard dawkins audiobook youtube. I then fancied taking my audiobook buying a little higher brow and bought richard dawkinss. Contains two new chapters and a wealth of new insights into the. In his internationally bestselling, now classic volume, the selfish gene, dawkins explains how the selfish gene can also be a subtle gene. Richard dawkins brilliant reformulation of the theory of natural selection has the rare distinction of having provoked as much excitement and interest outside the. Examples of memes include tunes, idea, catchphrases.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the selfish gene. The selfish gene also derives some of its fame from the fact that it introduced the meme concept. Dawkins has a habit of putting out ideas in the public literature without doing the research to back them up first. The selfish gene by richard dawkins, lalla ward, audio cd. Apr 20, 2006 that feeling of awe simply grows when you reach the book s final chapter and its famous and still controversial introduction of the notion of memes. Let me start by explaining what memetics is and where it comes from. Dawkins coined the term selfish gene as a way of expressing the gene centred view of evolution, which holds that evolution is best viewed as acting on genes and that selection at the level of organisms or populations almost never overrides selection based on genes. And they have not found a way to displace a meme so powerful as the selfish gene. To this extent, contrary to popular opinion, dawkins exposition is not merely a popularisation, but actually breaks new ground theoretically. The selfish gene is a classic exposition of evolutionary thought.
Most of these could be argued, and most have been uncritically assumed by one or another author, but all of them are wrong. In july 2017 a poll to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the royal society science book prize listed the selfish gene as the most influential science book of all time. In his internationally bestselling, now classic, volume, the selfish gene, dawkins explains how the selfish gene can also be a subtle gene. The world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, dawkins argues, acts of apparent altruism do exist in nature. Richard dawkins first published the selfish gene in 1976. The pirate bay the galaxys most resilient bittorrent site. The selfish gene is a very popular and somewhat controversial book on evolutionary theory by richard dawkins, published in 1976. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Even fewer among them change public discourse and, finally, culture. Whether or not youve read the selfish gene, i urge you to give this edition your attention. The selfish gene charles simonyi professor of the public. However, humans have foresight, and thus the capacity to rebel against their genes and memes. Bees, for example, will commit suicide when they sting to protect the hive, and birds will risk their lives to warn the flock of an approaching hawk.
This behindthescenes account of its publication recounts the story as seen through the eyes of the book s commissioning editor, from the initial ex. Dawkins argued that natural selection takes place at the genetic rather than the species or individual level, as was often assumed. Mar, 2010 since im running a low on new ideas lately, i thought this might be a good time to share with you some of my favourite excerpts from the 1976 bestseller the selfish gene by richard dawkins, the book that was behind the whole idea of this website the book that coined the word meme. The truth is that my first thoughts were more modest than some memeticists might wish. The phrase selfish gene in the title of the book was coined by dawkins as a provocative way of expressing the gene centric view of evolution, which holds that evolution is best viewed as acting on genes, and that selection at the level of organisms or populations. A lineage is expected to evolve to maximise its inclusive fitnessthe number of copies of its genes passed on globally. Download torrent or any other torrent from direct download via magnet link. Feb 28, 2014 you can buy richards book the selfish gene on amazon dawkins explains how the genes that are around today in us and every other living organism come from an. The selfish gene theory and altruism by richard dawkins.
The selfish meme is a mental model that allows us to build a framework around some tools and techniques that might help us to guide positive cultural. The metaphor of the selfish gene is supposed to convey the message that the effects of natural selection upon random mutations are to increase the frequenc. Richard dawkins the selfish gene explained youtube. Richard dawkins, elected as a fellow of the royal society in may, 2001, is a gifted writer, who is known for his popularization of darwinian ideas as well as for original thinking on evolutionary theory. First published in 1976, aimed at a general audience and written by a then littleknown young lecturer in zoology at oxford university, the selfish gene rapidly became highly influential. About the book quality, this is one of the very good rated among the ones i have read. The selfish gene 30th anniversary edition edition 3 by. Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to, because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs, something that no other species has ever aspired to do. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the selfish gene. This meme, methinks, forms the true bone of contention and the true obstacle to progress.
He defined it as a big idea that competes for dominance in a tough environment an idea that, like a catchy tune or a good joke, propagates itself by leaping from brain to brain. Buy a cheap copy of the selfish gene book by richard dawkins. In many instances, genes and memes reinforce each other, however there are examples of conflict. The meme first appeared in richard dawkins first book, the selfish gene 1976, and was an attempt to understand why some behaviours, from an evolutionary perspective, seemed to make no sense but, somehow or other, were found to be very common in human societies. Jun 20, 20 evolutionary biologist richard dawkins talks to. Memes spread for their own selfish interests, as do genes. The word meme in itself can be dated to a 1976 book, the selfish gene, by richard dawkins, who describes the meme as an idea, behavior, or. The first ten chapters of the selfish gene had concentrated exclusively on one kind of replicator, the gene. Mar 16, 2006 the world of the selfish gene revolves around savage competition, ruthless exploitation, and deceit, and yet, dawkins argues, acts of apparent altruism do exist in nature. A meme, dawkins suggested is like a gene in that it can replicate itself, typically via language or imitation. To this day there are those that support the theory and those.
As a result, populations will tend towards an evolutionarily stable strategy. The story of the selfish gene the selfish gene by richard dawkins, published in 1976, famously became a bestseller and is still selling more than 40 years later. This spring, a couple of neuroscience researchers at harvard published a study that finally explained why we like to talk about ourselves so much. The selfish gene, he declares, should be read almost as though it were science fiction.