Evolution provides a framework for thinking about all aspects of the human condition. A significant teaching for me is the distinction between the proximate and ultimate cause of an adaptive change. The proximate cause is an immediate response to something in the environment that turns out to be useful for survival. Kids may gather to play because it's fun (the proximate cause), but it makes them safer to be in a group, so the behavior is reinforced (the ultimate cause).

It was surprising to find out how limited the application of evolutionary principles are in academia. Surprising that each discipline is so cloistered that it is not even aware of such principles and scholars in different disciplines are parochially resistant to even considering the application of evolutionary thought to their studies.

Most thought provoking are the application of evolutionary thinking to the study of culture. ( )

Probably the hardest book I've read in a long time because I know so little about evolution. Taught me a LOT, but it was a slog, so no star rating from me.

Applying evolution to everything

Yes everyone should read this. Shows how the concepts apply to everyday life in a clear manner for anyone with middle-school science. ( )

This book is an introduction for anyone to incorporating evolution into everything. It is written specifically for those who may feel the sciences (in particular evolution) are intellectually too tasking.

David Wilson uses a journalistic approach that I akin to the like of a gossip column - a distracting, mesmerizing description of an aha! disaster that you can't keep from reading while in line at the grocery store. In this manner, Wilson is able to help the reader apply evolutionary thought and science to everything from daily life decisions to politics to the humanities in a less-than-scary manner. ( )