Theoretical biologist here. This is an incredibly important book. I just bought it a few minutes ago and so I’m only partway through the beginning, but it’s summarizing everything people from my school of thought (complex adaptive systems theory, multilevel selection models, and so on) have been arguing for two or three decades. It’s a very fast read so far (probably less so if you’re less familiar with the points the author is making), but I really hope that this book has an impact that’s reflective of the timeliness and cohesiveness (as I am reading into what the author is preparing to argue) deserves.

[–] GentlemanLoser@ttrpg.network 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Maybe finish the book before you decide?

[–] PrinceWith999Enemies@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If you’re familiar with the subject, you can tell exactly where the author is going to go with it. I’ve been working on and teaching this material for about 20 years, and I’ve applied it against quite a diverse number of areas.

I’m not learning anything new from the book, but simply reading a well-assembled argument as to why it should become a dominant paradigm.

[–] GentlemanLoser@ttrpg.network 0 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Lol you're saying with a chapter you don't even need to read the rest of it? And you're a scientist?

[–] PrinceWith999Enemies@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Yes, because I know this material well enough that I could have written this book, and have written multiple papers on closely related topics as well as taught courses on this material.

I’m sorry if that seems weird but it’s what happens when you become an expert in a field, especially one as narrow as theoretical biology. I knew exactly where he was going with his argument.

It’s like when you have a twin and you can finish each other’s sandwiches.

[–] lemmyseikai@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Username half checks out.