One might think that—as in so many other areas of evolutionary biology—we could look to Darwin for clarity.
But in the first edition of On the Origin of Species, the term “evolution” never appears (though the last word of the book is “evolved”**); not until the sixth edition does Darwin use “evolution.” Rather, Darwin’s term of choice is “descent with modification,” a simple phrase that captures the essence of what evolutionary biology is all about: the study of the transformation of species through time, including both changes that occur within species, as well as the origin of new species. (Jonathan Losos, Princeton University)
Doing an “ADVANCED SEARCH” in the Washington Post of the past two weeks reveals 38 uses of the word evolution. Do the Republicans in Congress, who at least act as if they did not believe in Evolution, ever read the Post? or do the frequent uses of the word, implying perhaps an acceptance of the theory, keep them from doing so?
After German vote, Europe can turn to patching euro’s flaws, “The opportunity in 2018 would be more a natural evolution of the process that has been ongoing… David McHugh | AP · Foreign · .
An elephant who texted for help and other tales of animals on the move…Does evolution bring the same results no matter what …. Priyanka Kumar · BookWorld ·
As the Sweetgreen revolution rolls on, fresh and local remain the focus… “We’re big believers in constant evolution,” says Jammet, a trailblazer in the industry. Tom Sietsema · Food ·
The African American Museum a year later: Still the hottest ticket in town….underground was a virtue-of-necessity response to the evolution of the museum during the design and review process, Philip Kennicott · Style ·
Milan fashion meets global crises with lightness… Max Mara designs were an evolution of the brand’s trademark monochromes, Colleen Barry | AP · Entertainment ·
Roy Moore disrupts U.S. Senate race in Alabama — and prepares for new level of defiance in Washington…. “There is no such thing as evolution,” he said at one point as he waited for his lunch. Michael Scherer · National-Politics ·
Neanderthal children were slow to grow up —just like modern kids… Katerina Harvati, an expert in Neanderthal evolution at the University of Tubingen in Germany… Ben Guarino · National/health-science ·
Transcript: Transformers Health… how we at Philips look at the evolution of healthcare. Both the pretty and maybe the… Washington Post Live · Postlive ·
Can you pick out a Snallygaster beer based on its tasting notes? … properly cellared to allow for further flavor evolution. Bourbon Barrel Aged, 2015 (Westbrook) Rudi Greenberg · Express ·
Scientists just discovered the first brainless animal that sleeps… They’re also ancient: Cnidarians, the phylogenetic group that includes jellies, first arose some 700 million years ago, making them some of Earth’s first animals. These traits make Cassiopea an ideal organism to test for the evolutionary origins of sleep. The research could reveal where sleep came from and why we must spend so much time doing it. Sarah Kaplan · National/health-science ·
The Energy 202: The United States and Syria are now the only two countries out of the Paris climate accord…space probe called Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN, sent to measure the planet’s atmosphere. Dino Grandoni · powerpost ·
Can the Giants, Seahawks and Texans fix their broken offensive lines? They’d better … and fast.… “I wonder if that’s the next evolution of this.” Mark Maske · Sports ·
Three stunning gardens that will change the way you think about fall….She is also the author of “On Walnut Hill: The Evolution of a Garden.” Kathy Hudson · Magazine ·
Suffolk native interprets Frederick Douglass’ words… “I realized everything I’ve done all my life was an evolution for this.” Douglass spoke for an hour about his escapes, about his marriages, about his five children. He explained why he got involved with not only abolitionism but women’s rights. He spoke of unity, of the need to include everyone in a discussion and not create false boundaries like gender and race. Denise M. Watson | AP · Regional ·
Dog’s discomfort triggers compulsive behavior… In the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, an international team of scientists recently…Michael W. Fox · LocalLiving ·
Mond, Aggies look to improve for start of SEC play… last two weeks his teammates have also seen his evolution as a passer. “He’s definitely (shown) poise …Kristie Rieken | AP · Sports ·
Does the road to Broadway pass through Beijing? … it would be a landmark in the evolution of the fledgling musical-theater industry in China. Peter Marks · Style ·
Lego’s plastic bricks transformed childhood. Are they sturdy enough to survive screens?… Lego came to reflect the evolution of childhood imagination around the world… Ian Shapira · Local ·
Mutant butterflies reveal the genetic roots of colorful wings….written and rewritten over millions of years of evolution, persisting across butterfly species…..Ben Guarino · National/health-science ·
How white supremacy went global…. social Darwinism – a flawed application of species evolution that claimed human subgroups were biologically distinct and in constant competition — to legitimize the concept of a hierarchy of races. R. Joseph Parrott · Opinions ·
Literally lousy: Parasite plagues world salmon industry… “Our work has to be quicker than the evolution of the lice,” said Jake Elliott, Patrick Whittle | AP · Foreign ·
Tom Wilson wants to seize a top-six role; the Capitals want to see more goals…. “The next step in his evolution – he has that physical element, he’s reliable, Isabelle Khurshudyan · Sports ·
Who is the most dominant athlete in his game over the last decade? …70 is the new 60. One day – because of evolution, better nutrition and medical breakthroughs – Norman Chad · Sports ·
Uproar in Turkey over removing evolution from biology class….Next Fall evolution (and Charles Darwin) will be taught for the last time in their biology classes,…Zeynep Bilginsoy | AP · Foreign ·
Turkish schoolchildren will no 
longer be taught about evolution, in another sign of the conservative direction the country is heading in under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Montez throws 4 TD passes, Colorado beats N Colorado 41-21a wide open Shay Fields. All part of Montez’s evolution. Montez threw for a career-high 357 yards…Pat Graham | AP · Sports ·
‘Narcos’ scout found shot to death while exploring filming sites in Mexico… cocaine business, so there is sort of a natural evolution there. Amy B Wang · Lifestyle ·
The latest in the ‘Destiny’ series is more inviting than ever….the expectation of being the next stage in the evolution of first-person shooters. Christopher Byrd · Entertainment ·
Mattis’ message: US is not intimidated by North Korea… Mattis has previously indicated this evolution in thinking, …Robert Burns | AP · National ·
Watch an electric eel zap a biologist in the name of science….As the animals gradually get closer to a target, then slip farther and farther out of the water, they’d deliver progressively more powerful jolts. “The circuitry explains how this would evolve,” Catania said. Ben Guarino · National/health-science ·
You asked if anyone wants to deport ‘dreamers,’ President Trump: Yes. Your base….Trump is making a more nuanced case reflecting the evolution he himself seems to have gone through over this…Philip Bump · Politics ·
10 things to do in D.C., Maryland and Virginia from Sept. 14 to 20… National Museum of American History explores the evolution of Memphis music – from blues and soul to hip- …Kristen Page-Kirby, Lori McCue and Rudi Greenberg · Express ·
Tunisian women’s rights plan rattles Muslim traditionalists…. The only moderate Islam is that which recognizes the need and the right not only to interpretation but also to evolution,” he said, calling the battle for renewing religious discourse “the mother of all battles.”…Bouazza Ben Bouazza | AP · Foreign ·
Trump’s push for tax cuts is coming up against a familiar challenge: … ceiling shift signifies a remarkable political evolution for Trump…. Damian Paletta, Sean Sullivan and Kelsey Snell · National-Politics ·
First impressions of the iPhone X: iPhone X looks like an evolution of the iPhone, it doesn’t feel like an evolution -Hayley Tsukayama · Business/technology ·
How America’s culture wars have evolved into a class war…one Karl Marx might have predicted. Much of this evolution has to do with a widening gap between members…James Davison Hunter · Opinions ·
The White Company’s monochrome aesthetic come to the US… The White Company’s evolution has mirrored my own life events – pretty yet comfortable…Katherine Roth | AP · Lifestyle ·
Trump’s 9/11 message evolves along with his responsibilities… The briefing could mark another step in Trump’s evolution, offering a fresh reminder that he now is the one most responsible for keeping the nation safe,…Jonathan Lemire | AP · Washington ·
** There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.
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I’ve become fascinated with evolution, perhaps as an extension of my love of history. Have you read Dawkin’s “The Ancester’s Tale”? It got me started on my evolutionary track reading about evolutionary biology, which led to an interest in reading about pre-history (thanks to the genome project). You’ve inspired me to try reading “The Origin of Species”. I picked up an early edition of the book at an estate sale on the Cape. Clearly the seller didn’t know what he had in the estate collection, as he sold me the Darwin book and an original book of Longfellow’s poems bound in leather for a buck each. Nice column, Philip.
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