But Old Mr. Darwin Wasn't to Blame: The Little Book of Evolutionary "Quotes"

By Maria B. O'Hare

But Old Mr. Darwin wasn’t to Blame: The Little Book of Evolutionary "Quotes", as the title suggests and, the quotes should reveal, Charles Darwin wasn’t actually to blame for all that ensued in his name. In fact, he was actually quite Lamarckian in his view of evolution, as revealed in later correspondences and editions of 'Origin'. Collectively these quotes form an outline of a narrative that I hope you will find illuminating and get as much from reading them as I did from discovering them. You may even be a little shocked, stunned and occasionally let out a little gasp when you hear what some top scientists have actually said about our modern synthesis. However, these quotes are not simply an exercise in pointing out what is obviously wrong with our modern Neo-Darwinian model of evolution, but, they should also reveal nuggets of an entirely new synthesis that is emerging, or re-emerging out of the ashes of the old paradigm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maria B. O'Hare
• Release date: Jun 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311432377

Maria B. O'Hare

Although my main academic training is in Archaeology (PhD), as my research became increasingly independent, I began digging around some old dusty long forgotten archives and soon discovered that our current genetically-driven concept of evolutionary dynamics itself evolved and often, not by natural means. I began to realise that there had always been well-founded scientifically sound criticism of our Darwinian model and indeed, perfectly plausible alternatives, hence, as these exciting and much aligned alternatives are finally beginning to get the scientific recognition they have always deserved, I began writing about these in a blog entitled: digging up the future dot com This research and ongoing discoveries have made their way into several publications listed here (See the 'Little Book of Evolutionary Quotes', 'The Epigenetic Caterpillar: An Alternative View of the Peppered Moth Phenomenon', 'Lamarck and the Sad Tale of the Blind Cave Fish' and watch out for forthcoming book about D'Arcy Thompson's dynamic evolutionary model). Another related book - soon to be released, is entitled: 'Don't Count Your Children Until They've Had the Pox' which explores a very different form of non-genetic generational immunity using original death statistics from some of the deadliest contagions known to humankind with a focus on Ireland and comparing these with other developed nations. Other publications by the author range from self-publishing to science fiction dealing with a futuristic (evolutionary) genetics theme and are also published under the imprint: DiG-Press. See the full story of how I became a writer can be found at writing.ie https://www.writing.ie/tell-your-own-story/how-to-make-a-book-by-maria-b-ohare/ Cheers MariaBrigit

Book preview

As the title suggests, Old Mr. Darwin wasn’t actually to blame for all that ensued in his name. This was perhaps the most surprising aspect of what I discovered when I stumbled upon the more obscure archives of evolutionary history. Well, almost as surprising as finding out that our current evolutionary theory is beyond repair, apparently and its replacement by a quantum-like synthesis has been looming around the corner for some time now, at least, that is according to the peer-reviewed literature as you will see as you read on.

Collectively these quotes form an outline of a narrative that I hope you will find illuminating and get as much from reading them as I did from discovering them. You may even be a little shocked, stunned and occasionally let out a little gasp when you hear what some top scientists have actually said about our modern synthesis.

Cheers

MariaBrigit

Frame1

DiG-Deeper by CLICKING

diggingupthefuture.com

1886

…A GREAT MAN OF SCIENCE ... KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING, EXCEPT WHY A HEN'S EGG DON’T TURN INTO A CROCODILE, AND TWO OR THREE OTHER LITTLE THINGS…

— Charles Kingsley (1886, 368-9) ‘The Water Babies’

Part One

A Theory you can take to the Bank!?

[1]

- John Maynard Smith -

‘THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION’

Natural selection is the only workable explanation for the beautiful and compelling illusion of 'design' that pervades every living body and every organ. Knowledge of evolution may not be strictly useful in everyday commerce. You can live some sort of life and die without ever hearing the name of Darwin. But if, before you die, you want to understand why you lived in the first place, Darwinism is the one subject that you must study.

— Smith (1958, Forward, p.xvi)

[2]

-NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC-

Was Darwin Wrong?

NO,

THE EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION is OVERWHELMING...

It’s also deeply persuasive — a theory you can take to the bank. The essential points are slightly more complicated than most people assume, but not so complicated that they can't be comprehended by any attentive person.

— Quammen (2004) ‘National Geographic’ - November Issue

[3]

- Sir Richard Attenborough -

‘HOW DARWIN WON THE EVOLUTION RACE’

Opponents say Natural Selection is not a theory supported by observation or experiment; that it is not based on fact; and that it cannot be proved. Attenborough says:

Well, no, you cannot prove the theory to people who won't believe in it any more than you can prove that the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. However, we know the battle happened then, just as we know the course of evolution on Earth unambiguously shows that Darwin was right

- McKie (2008) ‘The observer’, June 22nd

[4]

-Richard Dawkins-

‘THE BLIND WATCHMAKER’

My argument will be that Darwinism is the only known theory that is in principle capable of explaining certain aspects of life. If I am right it means