The Revolutionary Phenotype

By: J.-F. Gariépy

Narrated by: J.-F. Gariepy

Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins

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

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

REVOLUTIONARY

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

3 of 4 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.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Difficult and repetitive, not quite ready as audio

I have this as Kindle and will continue my reading there; the difficulty of the concept makes it appropriate that the author carefully introduces and repeats his points, but it's simply too difficult to work through that repetition in audio, especially added to the complexity of picking through what for me is a difficult French accent -- well voiced, but not really the best way to be introduced to such a profound concept.

I will add that listening to either Dennett's "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" or Dawkin's "The Selfish Gene" is probably a good first step before listening to this. I also find myself drawing on concepts from Lane's "The Vital Question" as I consider this book's thesis. I'm grateful to the author and will continue examining his ideas, but hopefully he will produce something a bit more approachable for such a powerful claim.

Simply amazing

This book was amazing in every way
Every human on earth should read it
And it should be required reading and part of education in high school
I listened to the audio book and was spellbound.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Book!

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

One word...SHOCKING!

J.-F. delivers a disturbing theory regarding our genetic replacement and in great detail. Don't give up hope though, he also advises us on how we can fight this menace and avoid our genetic extinction. Thank you J.-F.!

Regarding this as an audio book I found it extremely well done in all aspects.

Subject: Intelligent, Dark, yet Hopeful.

Performance: If you are concerned about a Québécois (French Canadian) narrating his own work, set that aside. His spoken English is excellent and his accent actually brings character to this most interesting subject. GREAT LISTEN.

Author: J.-F. Gariépy obviously dedicated an enormous amount of time and research into his subject matter and put it all in a finished work everyone appreciate. This isn't just big brained science material put forth in a way for scholars. I enjoyed it almost as if I was reading (listening) to a science fiction script. This is not fiction, but this doesn't have to be our future either.

BUY THIS BOOK

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful