The Network of Life: A New View of Evolution

by David Mindell

Why evolution is like a network, not a family tree—and why it matters for understanding the health of all living things In The Network of Life , David Mindell explains why the conventional narrative of evolution needs to evolve. Ever since Darwin, evolution has largely been thought to work like a family tree in which species are related through a series of branching events. But, today, a growing knowledge of the ways species share genetic materials in a process known as horizontal evolution has revealed that evolution is actually a network of shared genealogy in which species are more interconnected than previously thought. In this book, Mindell presents this new narrative of life’s evolution and its profound implications for all life on Earth. The Network of Life describes the drivers of horizontal evolution—interbreeding and genetic recombination, the merger of species, horizontal gene transfer, and coevolution. The network view of evolution that emerges supports a new symbiotic theory of health, which holds that the future health of humans, other species, and our shared environments depends on evolution and adaptation across life’s network. Difficult times lie ahead for many of Earth’s species as climates and habitats transform. At the same time, new and altered life-forms are arising and spreading in association with human activities. We are also learning to reshape and create life by mimicking the mechanisms of horizontal evolution, and we are coevolving with technology as we enhance our bodies, brains, and life spans. The Network of Life shows why and how increasing our knowledge of horizontal evolution can provide critical lessons as we navigate our looming challenges.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Biology

272 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Anshuman Swain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book covers the importance of thinking about horizontal evolution (as opposed to a vertical one which happens between parents and offspring) and other forms of biological interactions between species (and other entities). The author does a great job in conveying the information, which, for most of the book is quite well researched.

I was a bit unimpressed by the last part of the book which focuses on humans and technology (and to a lesser extent to a couple of previous chapters as well), which, as mentioned, are surely more speculative but also not as well -researched.

Overall, I did enjoy the book!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice description of how evolution emerges from the sharing of genetic materials — horizontal evolution. This is offered as the “new narrative”, despite its observably impacts in nature and laboratories. Mindel describes interbreeding and genetic recombination as somehow a breakthrough, but doesn’t quite pull it off. Nevertheless, he provides a nice description of how all life on Earth is shaped by — and indeed depends on — evolutionary processes that are far from linear. The gambit jumps the rails when he talks about how we are “coevolving with technology as we enhance our bodies, brains, and life spans.” As if eons and decades are similar scales.

[Manuel Gómez-Ortigoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

Horizontal evolution. What a fascinating and well supported concept.
It gives a new and fresh understanding of the importance of bacteria and viruses in life’s continuum.