How Evolution Works (And How We Figured It Out)

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Watch the Deep Time Hall Livestream here:

As a scientific concept, evolution was revolutionary when it was first introduced. With the help of all three of our hosts and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s new Deep Time Hall, we’ll try to explain how evolution actually works and how we came to understand it.

This episode was written by Darcy Shapiro.

Produced in collaboration with PBS Digital Studios.

Super special thanks to the following Patreon patrons for helping make Eons possible:

Katie Fichtner, Anthony Callaghan, Zachary Spencer, Stefan Weber, Ilya Murashov, Charles Kahle, Robert Amling, Po Foon Kwong, Larry Wilson, Merri Snaidman, Renzo Caimi Ordenes, John Vanek, Neil H. Gray, Esmeralda Rupp-Spangle, Gregory Donovan, الخليفي سلطان, Gabriel Cortez, Marcus Lejon, Robert Arévalo, Robert Hill, Todd Dittman, Betsy Radley, PS, Philip Slingerland, Jose Garcia, Eric Vonk, Tony Wamsley, Henrik Peteri, Jonathan Wright, Jon Monteiro, James Bording, Brad Nicholls, Miles Chaston, Michael McClellan, Jeff Graham, Maria Humphrey, Nathan Paskett, Connor Jensen, Daisuke Goto, Hubert Rady, Gregory Kintz, Tyson Cleary, Chandler Bass, Maly Lor, Joao Ascensao, Tsee Lee, Sarah Fritts, Alex Yan

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References:
Bowler, P. (2001). History of Evolutionary Ideas: The Modern Synthesis. ELS: Encyclopedia of the life sciences, 1-5.
Papavero, N., & Santos, C. F. M. D. (2014). Darwinian evolutionism? Contributions of Alfred Russel Wallace to the theory of evolution. Revista Brasileira de História, 34(67), 159-180.

[daltongrowley]

I'm sorry but, Hall of Extinct Monsters is an amazing name.

[HoundofOdin]

Evolutionary biology is beautiful. The fact that I'm distantly related to my dog, the grilled mushrooms I just ate, and the tree in my front yard is amazing.

[itsstar]

I'm really glad that you guys don't let the negative weirdos who comment stop you from bringing scientific facts to the general population. This was a really well organized video with great fundamental knowledge on evolution. I really enjoyed how you guys used all three hosts- maybe that could be done more often! It helped keep my attention. Keep up the great work! 👑

[Danquebec]

1:14 I’m so happy Wallace is getting recognized together with Darwin for the theory of evolution.

[TheUnknownFoxGuy]

The jumping back and fort between the different hosts was genius! I love it! Do this more please!!

[thersten]

I'm so proud to be a biologist and so humbled by those that came before me. 👍

[sankshaymacha]

Could you please do a video on australia's megafauna like the megalania and marsupial lion.

[mxnjones]

This was awesome! I don’t think I ever realized that Mendel was a contemporary of Darwin and Wallace.

[wanlee]

Marvel: infinity war will be the most ambitious crossover of all time...
PBS Eons:

[DukeExemplo]

I had a 4-hour layover at Reagan a couple months ago. I planned ahead, rushed off my first plane, grabbed a train to the national mall, and spent about 2.5 hours in this museum! Made it back just in time for my next flight. One of the best decisions I've made...so much better than sitting around drinking overpriced beer in the airport.

[joshuastrader]

This video production was on a different level. The information was dense but not overwhelming, and using multiple presenters kept it engaging. Well done!

[LPanne_Stitches]

My evolution professor in college loved Haldane, and what I got from that class is that my favorite Haldane quote is, "Now my own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than we suppose but queerer than we can suppose"

[dhindaravrel]

Don't forget Humboldt's influence on Darwin's thinking - it was Humboldt's development of the science of ecology that helped Darwin understand how different lifeforms influenced one another.

[coleeolee]

At this point, I feel like Hank Green has his fingers in every science communication pie imaginable. Honestly, I feel like I’m waiting for him to start going door to door offering science to people. Dude is awesome

[woodsplitter]

I always wish that people who deny evolution and evolutionary theory would appreciate how many enormous fields of study they dismiss.

[rayblogueiro]

I just freaking love this channel, goddam

[odinsutherland]

I just have to ask for an episode on monotreme evolution, and to thank you guys for revitalizing my love of Paleontology, you have given me something to work towards for my future, and I can thank you enough

[FuneFox]

"I don't believe in macroevolution, but I believe in microevolution"
"I don't believe in meters, but I believe in centimetres"

[jan_kisan]

so much respect here, for science and the people driving it forward — it really warms my heart) thank you! this Darwin quote in a museum, that's so beautiful)

[VINOS]

I always thought evolving was this cool shiny transformation with an epic soundtrack in the background