EVOLUTION 2
Evolution
Richard Dawkins and Bill Nye discuss the different aspects of evolution at NYC’s
Beacon Theatre. Evolution is seen as the transfer of genetic information from generation to
generation. Evolution involves propagating and protecting genetic instructions that give rise to
the organisms (Colbert, 1953: 89). For proper evolution, there has to be an unbroken lineage of
the successful ancestry of organisms hence the reason of organism having specialized features.
Environment affects the manner genes are passed on from one generation to another by creating
selection pressure. Natural selection occurs through what Charles Darwin called the survival of
the fittest. According to the discussion, organism competes amongst one another for food, mating
partners, and other resources hence only those with superior genes can sire new generations.
The discussion about evolution in this podcast is very understandable. The speakers are
audible and use simple English as they articulate their points to the audience. Additionally, they
use a lot of humor in their discussion making it a very enjoyable and interesting to listen as they
share insights on the topic of evolution. Finally, the argument is even more understandable by
the fact that they use examples to illustrate how different organisms have evolved (Slatkin, 1980:
1031).
The biologist uses different examples in explaining various aspects of evolution making a
listener understand the discussion better. On the divergent evolution, the biologist uses an
illustration of the human eye (camera eye) which has evolved for over 40 times (Slatkin, 1980:
1031). They also use stingers which have evolved for 12 times and the echolocation feature of
bats and whales which have evolved for four times. As the discussion nears the end, they discuss
the factors that would have led to the most recent notable evolution of a new species of
