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Book Review ★★★★★

The Blind Watchmaker

by Richard Dawkins

Non-fiction Science Evolution
Summary

Richard Dawkins' masterclass on evolution, showing how the cumulative selection of random mutations can generate extraordinary complexity without a concious designer.

Favorite Quote
"Evolution has no long-term goal"

By far the most worldview-changing book I have ever read.

Before reading this, I had been working on evolutionary algorithms for around a year, I’ve taken up an elective on Computational BioEngineering, but I never quite saw the true beauty and elegance of evolution. Dawkins explains how cumulative selection can generate astronomical complexity without needing a conscious intelligent designer.

Evolution has no long-term goal. There is no long-distance target, no final perfection to serve as a criterion for selection, although human vanity cherishes the absurd notion that our species is the final goal of evolution.

I am currently still reading through this book. I have also compiled separate notes on evolution in my /notes section.