A Small History of Big Evolutionary Ideas - Robin May

The theory of evolution is often described as the biggest idea in the history of humanity. But evolutionary theory itself has evolved over time, often via landmark contributions from some very unusual characters.

This lecture investigates some of the biggest ideas about evolution, as well as some of the most ill-conceived.

We’ll meet aristocrats and criminals, clergymen and dictators and consider how evolution is as much a product of history as it is of biology.

This lecture was recorded by Robin May on 16 October 2023 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London

Robin is Gresham Professor of Physic.

He is also Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Professor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[idunnobouthat]

A lot of armchair intellectuals in this comment section who put way too much confidence in their own reasoning.

[Scot-ip]

This was a wonderful lecture to listen to. I enjoyed its interesting content as well as the very fair and engaging professor.

[ecocentrichomestead]

One thing I never see addressed in evolution is that "Random mutations" doesn't mean "Rare"
Most mutations in genetics are not really noticeable.
Mutations maintain the spread of variation in a trait, they don't drive evolution.
Natural selection acts on the variation to guide evolution.

Survival of the fittest is on a species level, not the individual level
Knowing that most animals that die, do not result in fossils, I believe that extinction may not be as common as seem to be thought. Rather that extinction, one species evolved into another without leaving fossils.

WRT the wing of a bird, it would help a reptile jump further even when it was just a flatten limb. As it evolved, the species would be able to glide further and further until it could keep itself of the ground completely..

[seazenbones]

Thank you for enlightening me on the origin of eugenics. An idea that has been destructive for a century and still influential. My ability to recognise the misunderstanding of others, and to offer a simple alternative has been improved . I’m very grateful. I came to Gresham’s YouTube channel, hoping to deepen my understanding of Cosmology. I stayed, subscribed and have been treated with knowledge that is responsible, respectful, rewarding, entertaining and trustworthy. Thank you.
PS. If Gresham’s YouTube channel had a Donate Button, I would occasionally donate. If Gresham had YouTube Memberships, I would probably join.

[aminkeykha]

سخنرانی خردمندانه و تاثیرگذاری است . سپاسگزار کوشش روزانه ی شما برای فکر کردن منتقدانه هستم .

[TheGbelcher]

Anyone who believes dinosaurs are extinct haven’t seen an Emu.

[hoangvu]

38:00 (ish) so you're saying that the worker bees know (how? do they understand math? statistics?) it's more advantageous to take care of their siblings instead of the queen?

[Hiltok]

36:11 Full siblings share 50% DNA, not 25%.
For parents Dd & Mm consider a child (let's say of type DM).
Now, that child compared to another child who is equally likely to be one of DM Dm dM dm:
DM v DM = 100%
DM v Dm = 50%
DM v dM = 50%
DM v dm = 0%

The average overlap in DNA between full siblings is 50%.

[joecalandra]

John Hunter described an e evolutionary theory very similar to Darwin's about 100 years prior

[trebledog]

I'll bet all that fidgeting of the hands are an evolutionary construct to help the speaker keep from boggling down in nervousness.

[monikagrosch]

Not far into the lecture yet: what about Gregor Mendel?😊

[Mark-IamNum]

There are a few factual errors in this talk. I have looked into this at some depth. The consensus is that intelligence - and one needs to define that - is assumed to be predominantly heredity based with some societal/environmental influences. One hears such numbers as 70%:30%, but these are just guidelines.

But it is true that eugenics did lead to some terrible consequences.

[richmondshaw]

With the 'evolution' of medicine and growth of hospitals the percentage of offspring surviving to adulthood has dramatically increased. Some of the diseases overcome are infective, measles etc, but some ailments are inherited and if fatal, or disabling, they probably wouldn't be passed on. The question I pose is does the system of healthcare in our society have a double edge in that some traits that would be bred out with natural evolution be more present in the future due to the amazing medical care available. Our modern societies have different needs than the preceding medieval ones, for example, where a strong lad who could plough all day or defend his community stoutly would be highly valued whereas today those characteristics are less needed than say abilities with computer programming etc. And healthcare is allowing those with physical weaknesses to survive, with perhaps continued medical help throughout their lives. How will this affect the evolution of humanity? Will populations need more medical help to survive; go to any surgery and you will see ever increasing numbers leave with carrier bags full of medications; unheard of when I was a child. A case could be made that in the past there were no treatments available for some ailments, certainly less so in the case of many cancers. It's a conundrum, with both ethical and moral implications that are not easily resolved.

[尼安德鲁-nj]

Whether we as human should intervene to preserve endangered species, I don't think the answer really matters in terms of we are part of natural selection, since no matter what we do, it's part of natural selection, nature does not care about our decision or actions.

[ozachar]

The decline of number of children is thereby predictable to lead to a decline in parental care.

[JavierBonillaC]

I'm so glad that evolutionary theory turned out to be liberal. One day though it might be possible to exercise the influence of one specific gene at a time.

[ahmedbaradwan]

With all respect for what u had done, is totally far way from the idea of DNA. THAT DEFFINATLY HAS A LOT OF DEFINITIONS.

[trebledog]

Is the same Galton of the Galton board?

[vladimirp]

Scientifically speaking, adaptation plays a pivotal role in the process of evolution itself. I desire to pinpoint, that life originated long ago in waters, fish scales was a predecessor of human skin. Amphibia fins gradually transformed into human leg. Brain size augmented with a hand of time. Crucially, horses species improved to a modern types. Finally, fashion and garments altered. In brief, it is just a few examples. Some of the are only surmises. How fine and tremendously interesting to discover novelty about nature and living creatures.. Sheer joy!

[michaelconley]

So honey bees. A queen mates with multiple drones, not one.
So the relationship equation is not accurate.