Have you heard of the new science of Evo Devo? If so, then you've probably read Endless Forms Most Beautiful by Dr. Sean B. Carroll. It is a captivating book describing the genetic tool kit that humans and animals share. His engaging narrative style and clear explanation for how developmental biology works is not only smart it is fun to read.
His new book, Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origins of Species, shows what a gifted story teller he really is. It will also convince anyone (get this book, kids!) just how exciting, Indiana-Jones-style, adventuresome science can be. Epic adventures are just what Von Humboldt, Darwin, Wallace, Bates and other naturalist explorers experienced. Carroll selected the stories of 13 explorers for their courage, their tenacity and their respective abilities upon return to civilization to share their remarkable insights into how our world works.
Just as enthralling as the stories of 19th century explorers are the tales of current adventurers like Neil Shubin and Svante Paabo. Dr. Carroll's admiration for his colleagues is very much in the 19th century spirit of acknowledging contributions from contemporaries. His explanation of how current research in molecular biology connects with how scientists historically used morphology, shows there are vistas in science yet to be explored. We catch the excitement of watching it unfold from this master storyteller as the age of discovery continues.
- Sean B. Carroll
- The Carroll Laboratory
- Sean B. Carroll Wikipedia Page
- NY Times Readers' Questions on the Science Of Evolution
- Evolution: God as Genetic Interview, Reposted with Permission at Richarddawkins.net
- Alexander Von Humboldt Biography at About.com
- Charles Darwin's Beagle Diaries
- The Alfred Russell Wallace Page
Minneapolis sci-artist Lynn Fellman will be our intrepid interviewer on Sunday's show. Stephanie Zvan is your host. Mike Haubrich directs, and the program is produced my the Minnesota Atheists.
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Listen to AM 950 KTNF on Sunday at 9AM Central to hear Atheists Talk produced by Minnesota Atheists. Stream live online. Call the studio at 952-946-6205 or email usat radio@mnatheists.org.