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Mentioned in 1 episodes
The Panda's Thumb
More Reflections in Natural History
Book • 1980
In 'The Panda's Thumb,' Stephen Jay Gould presents a collection of essays that delve into the peculiarities of evolutionary design, natural history, and the cultural context of science.
The book includes discussions on the panda's 'thumb,' which is not a true thumb but an adaptation of the radial sesamoid bone, illustrating the imperfect yet functional nature of evolutionary developments.
Gould also explores topics such as the Piltdown Man hoax, Down syndrome, the relationship between dinosaurs and birds, and the concept of punctuated equilibrium.
His essays challenge traditional narratives of evolution and highlight the importance of understanding evolution as an imperfect, often arbitrary process driven by environmental pressures, genetic variations, and chance.
The book includes discussions on the panda's 'thumb,' which is not a true thumb but an adaptation of the radial sesamoid bone, illustrating the imperfect yet functional nature of evolutionary developments.
Gould also explores topics such as the Piltdown Man hoax, Down syndrome, the relationship between dinosaurs and birds, and the concept of punctuated equilibrium.
His essays challenge traditional narratives of evolution and highlight the importance of understanding evolution as an imperfect, often arbitrary process driven by environmental pressures, genetic variations, and chance.
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Mentioned in 1 episodes
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Ed Whittingham
New York Times Columnist David Wallace-Wells: In Conversation on EvC
Mentioned in relation to his article "The Panda's Thumb", which discusses the concept of nature as a tinkerer.
Worldly Wisdom
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Joe McCormick
From the Vault: The Glorious Hermit Crab, Part 3
