h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Darwin's theory of evolution is virtually unrecognisable by reading modern evolutionary theory. Unfortunately the hitch hikers approved guide entry 'Evolution' is a victim of this; it states that "strictly this adaption process occurs at the gene level". This is nonsense, the adaptation process does not occur at the gene level, and the idea that it does is contrary to Darwin's theory.

All of the modern literature, including historical accounts of Darwinism have neglected or rubbished his theory on sexual selection. Sexual selection was an important part of Darwin's theory and is critical to evolution. Try to understand the following explanation:

Through sexual reproduction we produce children which are always going to be different, because they are the product of two different individuals - no two people are ever the same (except twins).

<< Are you following me? This is really quite simple.. Read on >>

Through the constant mixing and remixing of the population and constant birth of entirely new individuals who then remix with others, the species is constantly changing. Some individuals reproduce more than others, because of sexual and natural selection, and this is how adaptation occurs.

<< Not exactly rocket science, eh!! >>

I could go on, but no-one will read it. Except to say that Darwin's theory of sexual selection has been ignored because people like to think that evolution is beyond our control, e.g. in randomly mutating genes, or whatever. It's like clinging on to creation by God but replacing an omnipotent, beard and toga touting man with inanimate molecules of DNA. Sexual selection is the most challenging area of Darwin's theory, but not how it is understood by any evolutionists' work that I have read, except for Darwin of course.

clearly, mutation happens because of genes randomly changing AND by existing genes intermingling through sex. Sexual selection alone, though, cannot explain evolution during asexual reproduction. And also, of course, sexual selection happens at the gene level too, when you get down to it...

You are right that evolution takes part across the whole genome. For example the best combinations suited for the current environment is likely to live longer and produce more offspring.

Richard Dawkin's view of the living things is that it is a collection of Genes. Say gene A influences how good someone is at organising their life and hence attracts the opposite sex for mating. You could view this as gene A getting perfectly copied from generation to generation and eventually dominating the population. Gene A can of course mutate into Gene B. Depending on the relative success of genesA and B(the strict term is allele) you will get one dominating. For the full story refer to Richard Dawkins best seller 'The Selfish Gene' which is currently ranking 429 on amazon.com.

BTW I'm Mark Rest the author of the Evolution entry and something has happened that I've had to resubscribe as Researcher 165871.

And you said no one would read what you had to say

Thanks for this Lucinda. I wrote the article and am just off to change my name to Mark Rest.

if you talk to Peta, she'll sort this out...

I don't really think that you know what your talking about here kid.

I have to agree.

"adaptation process does not occur at the gene level, and the idea that it does is contrary to Darwin's theory."

Quite.

Indicentally, when did Darwin learn about genes?

The wean.