Improbable destinies, by Losos -contingency and determinism: two ingredients for evolution-

Image from nationalgeographic.com

Contingency (one-offs) versus determinism (convergent evolution) debate is just an outcome of the “tyranny of the discrete mind” (a Dawkins’ concept). To some extent and, in the short-term, evolution can be predictable in terms of convergence (natural selection’s work -no foresight- constrained by: limited number of solutions, specific genetic material to work with, environments, etc.)

But, in Losos words: “evolution repeats sometimes, but often it doesn’t.” One mutation could unfold in radical divergences (even when it comes to same population, same environment) as the sequence of further mutations (based on this 1st) evolves.

Field experiments show us both, the power of convergent evolution (and how useful it is when fighting back mutated microbes, when helping species survive CC, etc.) and, the crucial role that variations (indeterminacy) play in adaptative/evolutionary responses. We are not an inevitable species, but just a lucky one, as platypuses.

I utterly recommend this wonderful book: “Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution”, written by Jonathan Losos, a truly naturalist who goes far beyond both, just ideas and just journalism.

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