The Revolutionary Phenotype

Publisher's Summary

The Revolutionary Phenotype is a science book that brings us four billion years into the past, when the first living molecules showed up on Planet Earth. Unlike what was previously thought, we learn that DNA-based life did not emerge from random events in a primordial soup. Indeed, the first molecules of DNA were fabricated by a previous life form. By describing the fascinating events referred to as phenotypic revolutions, this book provides a dire warning to humanity: if humans continue to play with their own genes, we will be the next life form to fall to our own creation. 

Note that this is an audiobook read directly by the author, who has a French accent.

©2018 Élora Editions (P)2018 Élora Editions

REVOLUTIONARY

The last chapter in the history of biological thought. Buy it, your life depends on it!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Thought-provoking book, great narration

A must-read for anyone who enjoyed Dawkin's Selfish Gene. I found the musical transitions between chapters a bit too long, but otherwise great narration by the author.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great book, although skeptical of the "nd of DNA"

JF Gariepy has presented a very elegant theory as to how genetic layers emerge. In addition, he uses his new theoretical toolbox to satisfactorily explain the relationship between memes and genes, and explain how sexually reproductive life first emerged.

However, chapter 12 "The nd of DNA" makes some specific predictions which I think are difficult to justify. He argues that since the self-replicating protein and RNA life forms annihilated themselves by delegating gene printing to another life form (protein delegates to RNA and RNA delegates to DNA), we can extrapolate that humans will be annihilated if they undergo the same process. That is, humans will wipe themselves out by allowing AI to print our genes for us.

I am not fully convinced of this prediction for two reasons:
1. Humans could conceivably restrict the gene-editing AI to ensure that humans don't lose the will to reproduce.
2. The AI is not under any obvious evolutionary pressure to print our genes so that we lose the will to reproduce.

Nevertheless, I still agree with JF's overall contention that it is a dangerous idea to delegate gene-editing to AI, because it may have some other unforeseen consequences.

On the whole, this book contains some brilliant new ideas and JF should be proud of his efforts.

Great Book!

great book. complicated subject. I had to relisten a few times, and think, but it was worth it.

A less humble and better-structured Dawkins

The author without a trace of false humility states in the prologue that this book eventually be read by anyone that matters, and in the following chapters aims for that standard.

Excellent performance of the voice actors, faithfully re-creating JFG’s Québécois idiosyncrasies. The rendering is forceful, intelligible, and upbeat. The musical interludes nicely divide the work into digestible chunks. Great production values.

The book presents topics clearly, in a logical order, and it never bores. It is only as long as it needs to be. JFG has managed to evolve what a book on evolution can look like.

Essential

Important arguments made in an enjoyable way. This is a book you're going to have to have read if you want to be part of future conversations around the genetic destiny of humans. There's also a musical soundtrack which is beautiful. So you get a music album as well. Good narration by author.