The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins

This one is on biology - natural selection, neo Darwinism. An interesting book & written extremely well. The author has really explained the concepts & his views very well, using various analogies & examples. So best part is I could understand everything that was written :D. Second best part is I enjoyed reading it :)

The main point in the whole book is that - natural selection is the theory of evolution. Through natural selection we have been explaining evolution till now. And genetic unit is the unit of natural selection & not individual. The natural selection takes place at the level of the genes [basic unit] & so our genes are selfish. They are selfish because the only thing that matters to them is their survival & so they will do anything, just anything for their survival. Now that is being selfish at the core level, even if that seems altruistic at the individualistic level.

That was the crux of the book, but there were many other points discussed. Like we humans or for that matter any living organism are actually a carrier vessel for these genes & that our sole purpose biologically, is to ensure the survival of the genes. You know looking from this perspective one looses the track of all the concepts of feelings, thoughts, spiritualism. I mean what are we, just carriers of genes, our feelings & thoughts are nothing but complex coordination of nerves & electric impulses. Is that all that is to us ? I mean its really difficult for me to fathom myself as a collection of atoms & molecules & nothing more. But guess that's what it is at the most basic level. Phew :)

Author explains the concepts of natural selection at both gene level as well as individual level, as many biologists still takes sides of either of the levels the levels. And so author actually explains why the natural takes places actually at the gene level. The many analogies used throughout the book not only make the reading very interesting, but also simplifies the understanding. Many interesting behaviour of various species is quoted to explain the concepts. There is one concept of the new replicators called Mimeme [Meme for short]. They are the unit of cultural transmission. Now this was something, completely new n unfathomable for me. And I am not even convinced about it. Is it the truth or just an idea put by the author?

Lastly the author explains about the extended phenotype i.e. the long reach of the gene. He explains with help of examples that the effect of the gene is not limited to the body it resides in. But the effects can be felt outside the body on other fellow species n also inanimate objects. This was a difficult concept to accept in spite of the examples but nevertheless interesting.

Overall an awesome read :)