The hottest Evolution Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Lungs

Microanimism β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 24 May 24
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Microbiology Evolution Health
  1. Biological systems like lungs demonstrate asymmetry and imperfection, showcasing the complexity of biology over mathematical perfection.
  2. Microbial worlds in our lungs and in the atmosphere interact in complex ways, affecting our health and environment.
  3. The evolution and existence of lungs are deeply intertwined with microbial life, showcasing a long history of collaboration for the sustenance of life.
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Natural selection: what's the effect size?

Wyclif's Dust β€’ 2414 implied HN points β€’ 07 Apr 23
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics Evolution Statistics
  1. Many polygenic scores are significantly correlated with the number of children a person has, indicating a link between genetics and fertility.
  2. The effect sizes of these correlations can be influenced by the accuracy of the polygenic scores, with noise potentially underestimating the true effects.
  3. Improving polygenic scores and considering the impact of rare genetic variants are important for better understanding the relationship between genetics, fertility, and education.

But Seriously, Why The F*ck Do Giraffes Have Long Necks?

Insight Axis β€’ 612 implied HN points β€’ 12 Nov 23
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Genetics Evolution Knowledge Environment
  1. Giraffes have long necks to better reach food on tall trees, increasing their chances of survival and passing on their genes.
  2. In the true story of giraffes' evolution, genes are the main characters that hold knowledge for survival in their environment.
  3. Humans, unlike giraffes, can create their own knowledge using their minds, allowing them to survive in diverse environments and even outer space.

The longer I live, the wronger I get to be

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning β€’ 674 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 24
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics Evolution Data Analysis
  1. In the field of human population genetics, interesting times can lead to significant advancements and significant shifts in understanding.
  2. The concept of intelligence as influenced by single 'IQ genes' has been refuted in favor of the understanding that intelligence involves thousands of genes with small effects.
  3. Historical inaccuracies regarding the ancestry of European Jews, the dynamics of human evolution out of Africa, and the role of natural selection in human evolution have been corrected with new scientific discoveries and insights.

Kat Kitay: The Origin of Cyborgs

Do Not Research β€’ 499 implied HN points β€’ 11 Dec 23
πŸ”¬ Science Technology Biology Evolution Genetics Social Impact
  1. Donna Haraway introduced the concept of 'cyborg' in 1985 as a response to the rising technological world order
  2. Human evolution has been driven by technological advancements since ancient times, shaping our species' survival and success
  3. The modern digital revolution is pushing us towards a new kind of evolution where gene-editing technologies and digital pressures play crucial roles

The Course of Empire

Cosmographia β€’ 658 implied HN points β€’ 15 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Paintings Civilization Evolution Literature
  1. The Colosseum's grandeur cannot truly be appreciated until seen in person, highlighting the awe-inspiring nature of ancient structures
  2. Historical patterns suggest that great civilizations may eventually decline due to lowered moral standards, cynicism, and frivolity, prompting reflection on the lessons of the past for modern societies
  3. The Course of Empire art series by Thomas Cole illustrates the rise and fall of civilizations, offering a visual representation of the cyclical nature of human history

Capitalism put an end to systematic warfare

Wood From Eden β€’ 960 implied HN points β€’ 11 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Warfare Evolution Economics Capitalism
  1. Capitalism led to the decline of systematic warfare as the main way for producers to compete.
  2. Human evolution has been a struggle between individual and group selection, where societies with best productivity survived wars.
  3. The shift to the market economy allowed producers to compete directly, promoting productivity without the need for destructive warfare.

The Future of Travel Writing

Talking Travel Writing β€’ 648 implied HN points β€’ 03 Oct 23
🏝 Travel Future Narrative Diversity Evolution
  1. The future of travel writing involves a shift towards more diverse voices and a focus on sustainability and responsible travel.
  2. Guidebooks of the future will prioritize providing a human context to travel experiences that AI cannot offer.
  3. Travel writing is expected to see a resurgence, with an emphasis on self-reflection, diversity, and challenging traditional travel norms.

From the Fossil Record: The Adaptive Role of Emotions

Living Fossils β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 25
πŸ”¬ Science Emotions Psychology Evolution Behavior Research
  1. Emotions are complex systems in humans with different parts like how we feel, how our body reacts, and what we do. For example, feeling angry when someone cuts you off in traffic can lead to raising your blood pressure and even giving them a rude gesture.
  2. There is some disagreement on whether any emotions are the same for all people. However, everyone agrees that we all have emotions that affect how we react to situations.
  3. Understanding our emotions can help us navigate day-to-day challenges better. They play a big role in our behavior and how we connect with others.

COVID 2023 (part 1)

Logging the World β€’ 538 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 23
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness COVID Evolution Admissions Long Covid
  1. COVID numbers in 2023 are significantly lower than previous years, with restrictions lifted and admissions decreasing for months.
  2. 2023 has been relatively quiet in terms of new COVID variants, with no significant growth in headline variants, but the possibility of an evolution remains.
  3. While concerns about future COVID waves persist, it is suggested to enjoy the present moment and not overly worry about potential scenarios.

Natural selection: I still have no clue about the effect size

Wyclif's Dust β€’ 1609 implied HN points β€’ 14 Apr 23
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics Research Simulation Data Analysis Evolution
  1. The MAF/effect size slope gets steeper below MAF of 0.1, but correction becomes less trustworthy.
  2. There is a slope in the EA/fertility relationship above MAF of 0.1, so it's not constant everywhere.
  3. The relationship between EA/fertility is smaller for rare alleles, but the impact of very rare mutations remains uncertain.

The Anthropocene: What's In A Name?

Surfing the Future β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 16 Apr 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology Climate change Sustainability Biodiversity Evolution
  1. Naming periods of significant change is crucial for understanding history and its impact on the present and future.
  2. The concept of Anthropocene, denoting the era where human activities have significant geological impacts, sparks debates among scientists about its start date and implications.
  3. Embracing new paradigms like sustainability and circularity is essential for addressing climate and biodiversity emergencies, even if the recognition like the Anthropocene remains a point of contention.

The Galactic Quarantine

α΄‹ΚŸα΄€α΅Ύs β€’ 471 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jun 23
πŸ”¬ Science UFOs Extraterrestrial Life Evolution
  1. The zoo hypothesis suggests a scenario where a more advanced intelligence has isolated or quarantined the planet, similar to animals in a zoo.
  2. Civilizations may rise and fall based on genetic selection, with humans being perceived as 'angry apes' by more advanced species.
  3. Encounters with UFOs and potentially non-human beings could be viewed in the context of a 'farm' or 'nature preserve' scenario, where humans are studied or observed by a superior intelligence.

Accelerated Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in US Deer Populations

LIL Science β€’ 471 implied HN points β€’ 29 Aug 23
πŸ”¬ Science Virology Evolution Public Health
  1. SARS-CoV-2 can evolve quickly in deer populations and may become very different from current variants.
  2. Zoonotic transmission is the spread of a virus between humans and animals, which can lead to new variants that may be problematic for human immunity.
  3. Monitoring wildlife for zoonotic diseases is crucial to prevent the emergence of highly divergent variants that could infect humans.

Paul Stamets on Fungi, Heterodoxy and Systems

rebelwisdom β€’ 687 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 23
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Ecology Evolution Psychology
  1. Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems, being essential for survival and offering various benefits to humans.
  2. Mycelium networks demonstrate resilience and adaptability, showing how diversity and innovation can emerge from minorities and unconventional thinking.
  3. Psilocybin mushrooms provide not just physical effects, but also potential societal and spiritual benefits, connecting different cultures and promoting collaboration over conflict.

Consciousness is Organic - redux

Field Guide to the Anthropocene β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Consciousness Climate Evolution Biodiversity Ecology
  1. Consciousness is organic - a reminder that our minds are intertwined with the natural world, emphasizing the need to live in harmony with the environment.
  2. The concept of planetary intelligence explores the collective knowledge and responsibility of civilizations on a global scale, urging a shift towards more mindful and balanced technological growth.
  3. The human mind is identified as a key threat in the Anthropocene era, highlighting the necessity for self-improvement to address the planet's pressing issues.

Anomalies of the Aegean

α΄‹ΚŸα΄€α΅Ύs β€’ 393 implied HN points β€’ 22 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Evolution History Research
  1. Researchers found evidence of pre-sapiens hominin activity on Aegean Islands before Homo sapiens existed.
  2. Study suggests hominins sailed the Mediterranean half a million years ago, challenging human dispersal theories.
  3. The research highlights the need to rethink what we know about human migration not just in Greece, but globally.

Misquoting Darwin

Going Awol β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Philosophy Religion Evolution
  1. Charles Darwin expressed doubts about the reliability of human cognitive faculties, specifically in forming abstruse metaphysical and theological beliefs.
  2. Darwin's doubt should be understood in the context of his concerns about certain philosophical and religious convictions, rather than everyday beliefs.
  3. Apologists quoting Darwin out of context have misunderstood his doubts, leading to misconceptions about the scope of his concerns.

Top Links 374 The new armaments boom, how to build places for people to live, Eswanti's ship register & Marx to Darwin

Chartbook β€’ 357 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Housing Evolution
  1. The post highlights topics like the new armaments industry, urban planning, and Eswatini's ship registry.
  2. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze offers valuable insights and content on various subjects.
  3. The post includes links to intriguing content, like a piece on Yozo Hamaguchi's art and a paid subscriber section.

How to Genetically Influence the Future Without Having Kids

Parrhesia β€’ 456 implied HN points β€’ 09 Dec 23
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics Ethics Evolution Technology Health
  1. Beliefs and ideologies are influenced by genetics, affecting the future through who has children.
  2. Changes in fertility patterns due to ideologies can impact the prevalence of certain traits in future generations.
  3. Advocating for genetic enhancement technologies can shape future generations' traits even if you choose not to have children.

Anthropocentrism, insulin, and obese, long-lived cavefish

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter β€’ 522 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 23
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Metabolism Evolution Genetics Research
  1. Insulin is not exclusive to humans but is a common hormone across various species.
  2. Cavefish have unique adaptations for survival in harsh conditions like darkness and limited food sources.
  3. The evolution of insulin resistance and obesity in cavefish provides insights into how different species handle metabolism.

The AI basis of the Eve Theory of Consciousness

Vectors of Mind β€’ 314 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jun 23
πŸ”¬ Science Evolution Psychology Mythology Language Personality
  1. The Eve Theory of Consciousness suggests self-awareness was discovered by women and spread memetically.
  2. Personality structure can be understood using language models to determine latent factors related to important traits.
  3. Gossip and social selection played a role in shaping personality traits like considerateness and tolerance.

The Y Chromosome Bottleneck

Vectors of Mind β€’ 314 implied HN points β€’ 29 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics Evolution Human behavior Anthropology Selection
  1. Men and women think differently, and there may have been a moment in history where men had to 'catch up' on self-awareness and language.
  2. Recent genetic research suggests a bottleneck on the Y chromosome, indicating possible massive selection in the recent past.
  3. The Y chromosome bottleneck coincided with cultural changes and patrilineal competition, shedding light on human male demographic history.

The Powerful and Flawed Brain

Holodoxa β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jan 24
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Mental health Genetics Evolution Environment
  1. Mental illness is a complex interplay of genes, environment, and evolutionary history, contributing to conditions like depression or schizophrenia.
  2. Genetic factors significantly influence the risk of psychiatric conditions, but they interact with environmental and social factors, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach.
  3. Mutation can play a key role in mental illness, with spontaneous genetic variations like de novo mutations or somatic variants contributing to conditions like schizophrenia or autism.

Current status: it’s complicated

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning β€’ 789 implied HN points β€’ 27 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Evolution Genetics
  1. Human evolutionary science has shifted from complex models to explain the intricacies of our origins.
  2. Advances in genetics, DNA analysis, and paleoanthropology have revolutionized our understanding of human evolution.
  3. The concept of a single, simple origin of modern humans from Africa has evolved into a more complex and rich tapestry of multiple populations and dynamics.

After the Modern Data Stack: Welcome back, Data platforms

timo's substack β€’ 275 implied HN points β€’ 16 Aug 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Data Platforms Open Source Tools Evolution
  1. Data platforms are the next step after the Modern Data Stack, offering enhanced productivity, rapid iteration, and cost efficiency.
  2. The evolution of technology is not linear, but branches out in many directions, leading to multiple 'next' possibilities.
  3. New data platforms focus on integration, flexibility, and control, providing solutions for core issues like missing design, data quality, and integration challenges.

I really don’t care why evolution happened

Something to Consider β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jul 24
πŸ”¬ Science Evolution Economics Cultural Studies Public Policy Research Ethics
  1. Science should help us make better choices now, not just speculate about the past. We should focus on how what we learn can improve our lives today.
  2. Understanding historical impacts like slavery can teach us more about current issues, such as trust and economic development, rather than just dwelling on the past for its own sake.
  3. Scientists should prioritize research that benefits society instead of just following personal interests. Our work should aim to make the world better and address current problems.

Tails of the City: Part 2

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 07 Sep 23
πŸ”¬ Science Botany Ecology Evolution Natural History Environmental Science
  1. Horsetails have existed since the time of dinosaurs and are among the oldest plants on Earth. They haven’t changed much over millions of years, making them fascinating survivors.
  2. While horsetails are often seen as garden pests, they have historical importance and have been used by various cultures for food and tools. However, some parts can be toxic, especially to horses.
  3. There is a common myth that horsetails can accumulate gold, but research shows they actually indicate arsenic. They are good at collecting silica, which gives them their nickname as 'scouring rush'.

Evolutionary Ethics

Doc Hammer's Anvil β€’ 255 implied HN points β€’ 13 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Evolution Morality Culture Species
  1. Morality is subjective but also objective in extremes, with the real debate lying in the middle ground.
  2. Societies with dysfunctional morality can be seen as sick due to cultural contagion, but can also experience evolutionary changes.
  3. Evolutionary processes differ from human incremental changes, resulting in species adapting to different environments and niches.

Artificial Intelligence and the Noosphere

Nonzero Newsletter β€’ 609 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jun 23
πŸ”¬ Science Artificial Intelligence Evolution Philosophy Technology
  1. Artificial intelligence is seen as the crystallization of the noosphere, evolving from the biosphere.
  2. AI viewed from a noospheric perspective can help orient us, define our mission, and provide a philosophical framework for our moral evolution.
  3. The convergence of AI and the noosphere connects to a vision of a unified global community through political justice and universal love.