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A
straightforward, accessible explanation of the realities of human
biological diversity *Human
Diversity Richard Lewontin
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Computer
crime is a complex problem in perverse behaviour compounded by
the incredible complexity of the technology * Fighting
Computer Crime: A New Framework
for Protecting Information Donn B. Parker
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"...we've
been here for only about a million years, we, the first species
that has devised the means for its self-destruction." * Earth
Time David Suzuki
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Who says they don't write
space operas like they used to ?
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The
future just isn't what it used to be * Luminous
Greg Egan |
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Science
fiction is about imagining the present through the lens of a speculative
future *Foundation
(trilogy)
Isaac Asimov
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 *
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Rendezvous
with Rama Arthur
C Clarke |
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non-fiction/popular
science/human biology/genetics
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Essential
Human Knowledge
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A straightforward,
accessible explanation of the realities of human biological diversity
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[this
review first appeared in http://www.anatomy.usyd.edu.au/danny/book-reviews/h/Human_Diversity.html]
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Human Diversity Richard Lewontin Scientific American Library
1995 0 716760 13 4 [9780716760139] RRP $36.95
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Differences
between people or groups of people, and the biological bases of
such differences, are common subjects for dinner-party debates
and mass-media stories, especially when sex, intelligence, or
race are involved. But popular thinking in this area is beset
with confusions -- perhaps not surprisingly given that such confusions
and inaccuracies are all too common amongst scientists and scholars,
even in fields such as anthropology. A straightforward, accessible
explanation of the realities of human biological diversity,
Human Diversity therefore answers a vital need.
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In Human Diversity
Lewontin sticks to straight science, taking a less polemical approach
than in Not in Our Genes (co-authored with Leon Kamin and
Steven Rose). He begins with a broad overview of human variety,
of social, sexual, and regional differentiation. (This and three
other chapters are illustrated with short photo-essays.) Then
in a key chapter" genes, environment, and organism" he outlines
the relationships between the causal forces that shape human beings,
explaining the basics of development and the importance of norms
of reaction.
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The interconnection
of the biological and the social is a theme that runs through
Human Diversity, but Lewontin is a population geneticist
rather than an anthropologist and his primary focus is on biological,
and in particular genetic, diversity. In three chapters he explains
the basics of genetics and genetic variation, illustrated with
examples from Homo sapiens. The first covers basic polymorphisms,
in amino-acids, blood-types, and enzymes, and the second their
genetic basis, in alleles, genes, chromosomes, and DNA. The third
turns to continuous variation and quantitative genetics, introducing
some basic statistics and looking at variation (and its partition
into genetic and environmental components) and heritability (and
its estimation).
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Lewontin then tackles
the most controversial topics of all. He presents a concise account
of the debate over mental traits, focusing on the confusions surrounding
IQ, its connections with status, wealth, and power, and the estimation
of its heritability. This includes a careful analysis of the methodology
of twin and adoption case studies. A chapter on genetic diversity
among groups cuts to the heart of claims about race and class
differences, with an examination of the relative variation within
and between geographical populations and the effects of adaptation
and migration. This also glances at the differences between men
and women and the complex paths of causation behind gender. And
a final chapter considers the creation and maintenance of genetic
diversity, both generally and specifically in the evolution of
Homo sapiens.
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Human
Diversity is written for the lay reader but doesn't compromise
on accuracy (though the lack of a bibliography or full references
is a failing). The information it presents must, I think, be high
on any ranking of "essential human knowledge", if only because
bad science in this area has played a role in some terrible deeds.
It really should be in every school library.
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Danny Yee Other works
on same/related theme: -
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Mange, Basic Human
Genetics, Sinauer Associates USA 0878934979 - price not available
at time of writing
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-[9780878934973] -
Lewis, Human Genetics, McGraw-Hill, 0071158022 RRP $75.95
[9780071158022]
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Danny
Yee
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