In the last few days, I saw an Amazon promo for a new book, SLEEPING BEAUTIES: DORMANT INNOVATION IN NATURE, and I've got the ebook now.
It reminded me of an essay I read in college (1982!) called THE SPANDRELS OF SAN MARCOS. I remember SPANDRELS as a landmark essay, but I couldn't reconstruct the point. (I think it exists both as a standalone academic essay and there's a Stephen Jay Gould essay "about the Spandrels essay.")
I asked GPT3.5 to review SPANDRELS for me. I then asked it to describe SLEEPING BEAUTIES. That's a circus trick, because its memory stops in 2021. However, I "fed" it a David Barash WSJ review of SLEEPING BEAUTIES and some Amazon reader reviews. Here's what we got.
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WHAT IS THE SPANDRELS ESSAY
Yes, I can help you with that! "The Spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian Paradigm: A Critique of the Adaptationist Programme" is a landmark essay in evolutionary biology written by Stephen Jay Gould and Richard C. Lewontin. The main point of the essay is to criticize what they call the "adaptationist programme," which refers to the tendency in evolutionary biology to interpret every trait of an organism as an adaptation, meaning that it evolved through natural selection to serve a specific function.
Gould and Lewontin argue that this adaptationist approach, while valuable in many cases, has been overemphasized to the point where it overlooks other important aspects of evolution. They use the analogy of the spandrels in the architecture of the Basilica of San Marco in Venice to illustrate their point. Spandrels are the spaces between arches and ceiling, which were not intentionally designed but rather emerged as a byproduct of the arches' construction. Similarly, in evolution, not all traits of an organism are direct adaptations; some may be byproducts of other adaptations or simply the result of historical constraints.
The authors emphasize that not every trait or characteristic needs to have a direct adaptive purpose. Some features may be the result of genetic drift, historical contingencies, or neutral mutations that do not affect the organism's fitness. They call for a more balanced approach in evolutionary biology that considers both adaptationist explanations and other non-adaptive processes to understand the complexity of biological traits and their origins.
"The Spandrels of San Marco" has become a foundational essay in the field of evolutionary biology, challenging researchers to think critically about the assumptions and limitations of adaptationist thinking and encouraging a broader exploration of the evolutionary processes shaping the diversity of life.
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Tell me about the new book (based on reviews) and then, compare SPANDRELS and the new book. [Sources including WSJ review 4/2023 by David Barash here.]
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"Sleeping Beauties: The Mystery of Dormant Innovations in Nature and Culture" by Andreas Wagner explores the phenomenon of dormant innovations in the natural world and human culture. The book discusses how certain adaptations in living organisms lie dormant for generations, only to flourish spectacularly when favorable conditions arise. Andreas Wagner, a professor at the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Zurich, presents a wide array of examples from the biological world, showing that innovations can develop long before they become advantageous for survival.
The concept of "sleeping beauties" is illustrated with examples from different species. The author looks at the evolution of grasses, which took more than 40 million years to become the dominant species despite originating over 65 million years ago. Similarly, ant species took around 40 million years to proliferate after their initial evolution, and a family of saltwater clams waited a staggering 350 million years before diversifying into 500 species. Wagner suggests that these traits and species remained dormant until the right environmental niche emerged, allowing them to thrive.
Wagner challenges the traditional assumption that survival of the fittest solely dictates evolution. Instead, he proposes that valuable adaptations can arise long before they serve an immediate purpose, remaining latent until the right conditions emerge. This idea aligns with the concept of "adaptive radiation," where species must wait for a key innovation to exploit new opportunities in their environment.
The book also delves into human culture, drawing parallels between dormant innovations in nature and those in the realms of science, technology, and the arts. Wagner argues that cultural innovations, like biological ones, can remain unexploited for extended periods, only to flourish when the right circumstances arise. He cites examples of artists and thinkers, such as Van Gogh, Vermeer, Emily Dickinson, and Johann Sebastian Bach, whose brilliance went unrecognized in their time but gained acclaim later.
The author emphasizes that both natural and cultural innovations are not preordained; their success depends on the context and environment in which they emerge. Just as evolutionary adaptations can wait for the right conditions to thrive, so too can human creations find recognition and appreciation when the world is ready for them.
Overall, "Sleeping Beauties" offers a captivating exploration of the mysteries of evolution and the potential of dormant innovations in nature and culture. Andreas Wagner's accessible writing style makes complex biological concepts understandable to a broad readership. The book's insights into evolutionary biology shed light on the mechanisms of innovation and adaptation, challenging conventional ideas about the pace and timing of transformative change in the natural world and human endeavors.
User
Having this new information about SLEEPING BEAUTIES DORMANT INNOVATION, could you begin to compare it to SPANDRELS OF SAN MARCOS?
ChatGPT
Certainly! "Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature" by Andreas Wagner and "The Spandrels of San Marcos" are both intriguing works that explore different aspects of evolution and innovation in the natural world. While they may have some overlapping themes, they approach the subject matter from distinct angles.
Main Focus:
"The Spandrels of San Marcos": This landmark essay, written by Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewontin, discusses the concept of spandrels in evolutionary biology. Spandrels refer to architectural byproducts or side effects that emerge as a consequence of other features, rather than being direct adaptations. The essay argues against the prevailing view at the time, which saw every trait as an adaptation, highlighting that some traits arise as byproducts of other evolutionary changes.
"Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature": Andreas Wagner's book explores the phenomenon of dormant innovations in nature, wherein certain adaptations lie latent for extended periods before flourishing when favorable conditions arise. Wagner presents a wide array of examples to show that valuable adaptations can develop long before they become advantageous for survival.
Perspective:
"The Spandrels of San Marcos": Gould and Lewontin's essay challenges the adaptationist view prevalent in evolutionary biology during the 1970s. They argue that some traits are not directly selected for their functional advantages but are rather byproducts or results of other adaptations.
"Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature": Andreas Wagner's book focuses on the idea that innovations can lay dormant in nature until the right environmental niche emerges for them to thrive. The book explores how evolutionary adaptations can wait for the right conditions to be advantageous, drawing parallels between dormant innovations in nature and those in human culture.
Examples:
"The Spandrels of San Marcos": Gould and Lewontin illustrate their argument with examples from biology, such as the structure of the human chin and the size of the human brain's neocortex.
"Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature": Andreas Wagner presents a variety of examples from the biological world, showcasing how adaptations can remain dormant for millions of years until the right conditions lead to their flourishing.
Timeframe:
"The Spandrels of San Marcos": This essay was published in 1979, and its main arguments have been influential in shaping subsequent discussions in evolutionary biology.
"Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature": Andreas Wagner's book was published in 2023, bringing new insights and research into the topic of dormant innovations in nature and culture.
Key Concepts:
"The Spandrels of San Marcos": The concept of spandrels challenges the prevalent adaptationist view in evolutionary biology, highlighting the importance of understanding traits as byproducts of other evolutionary processes.
"Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature": This book explores the concept of dormant innovations, emphasizing that some adaptations can remain latent until the right conditions arise, both in the natural world and in human culture.
In summary, while both "The Spandrels of San Marcos" and "Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature" touch upon evolutionary processes and adaptations, they approach the subject matter differently. The former challenges the adaptationist view by emphasizing byproducts and side effects, while the latter focuses on dormant innovations, exploring how valuable adaptations can wait for the right conditions to flourish. Both works contribute valuable insights to the understanding of evolution and innovation in the natural world.
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In your discussion, you largely compared them separately, if that makes sense. On one axis, the first book says A and the second book says B. On another axis, the first book says C and the second book says D. Could you be more tangible on where they have overlapping themes? Are there any conclusions in either book that is contradictory of the other? Can you imagine the author of SPANDRELS and the author of SLEEPING BEUATY DORMANT INNOVATION having a discussion or even debate with one another?
ChatGPT
Apologies for the disjointed comparison. [Good use of word "disjointed."]
Let's explore the overlapping themes and potential areas of discussion or debate between "The Spandrels of San Marcos" and "Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature."
Overlapping Themes:
a. Both books touch upon the concept of evolutionary processes and adaptations in the natural world.
b. They discuss the idea that not all traits are directly selected for their functional advantages and that some traits may arise as byproducts or remain dormant until the right conditions arise.
c. Both books present examples from biology to support their arguments.
Potential Areas of Discussion or Debate:
a. Adaptation vs. Byproducts: "The Spandrels of San Marcos" emphasizes the concept of spandrels, which challenges the adaptationist view in evolutionary biology. It argues that some traits are not direct adaptations but rather byproducts of other evolutionary changes.
On the other hand, "Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature" discusses dormant innovations, focusing on how adaptations can wait for the right conditions to become advantageous.
The authors could potentially discuss whether some traits are truly byproducts or if they represent adaptations that remain dormant until the environment changes. [I felt this was the peak ChatGPT contribution].
b. Timeframes and Perspectives: Since "The Spandrels of San Marcos" was published in 1979 and "Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature" in 2023, the authors come from different eras of scientific thought. They might debate how the understanding of evolutionary biology has evolved over time and how new evidence and research have shaped their respective views.
c. Human Culture and Evolution: "Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature" draws parallels between dormant innovations in nature and those in human culture, suggesting that both follow similar patterns. The authors could discuss the extent to which cultural innovations mirror biological evolution and whether the mechanisms are fundamentally comparable.
d. Role of Chance: Gould and Lewontin's spandrels concept touches upon the role of chance and historical contingency in evolution. They argue that not every trait is directly selected for and that some traits persist due to historical accident. Andreas Wagner's book explores dormant innovations in nature, which may also involve elements of chance and contingency. The authors could delve into the significance of chance events in shaping biological and cultural evolution.
Contradictory Conclusions:
While there might be some differences in emphasis and perspective, it is important to note that both books contribute valuable insights to the understanding of evolution. They might not necessarily present contradictory conclusions, but rather offer complementary viewpoints that enrich our understanding of the complexities of evolutionary processes.
In summary, "The Spandrels of San Marcos" and "Sleeping Beauties: Dormant Innovation in Nature" share some overlapping themes, such as discussing evolutionary processes beyond direct adaptations. However, they approach the subject from different perspectives and eras of scientific thought. If the authors were to engage in a discussion or debate, it would likely be a thought-provoking exchange of ideas, exploring the role of chance, historical contingency, and the relationship between biological and cultural evolution.
