Cryptography Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 7
Grammars and Mimicry
7.1 Evolution of Everyday Things
Recently, I sat down with Charles Radwin, an evolutionary scientist,
who drew a fair bit of acclaimand controversy over his paper showing
how evolution led the human species to gorge on the O.J. Simpson
trial. I asked him his views about how evolution affects other aspects
of our lives. Here is our conversation:
Q:
Eventually all toilets need their handles wiggled to stop
them from running. Why?
A:
The commodes obviously developed this response to pre-
vent calcification. The extra running water prevented
tank stoppage and the toilets that had this gene quickly
outlasted those that didn't. It was simple natural selec-
tion.
Q:
What about toasters? No matter how hard you try to set
them right, they always burn some toast.
A:
Toasters developed this response to protect their host or-
ganism. Golden brown toast begs for a thick coating of
butter. Perfect toasters gave their host humans massive
coronary occlusions and that sends them to the scrap
heap. The best toasters are those that do not kill off their
hosts. They ultimately come to dominate the ecological
landscape in the kitchen.
Q:
Lightbulbs always burn out when I turn on the light. Why
not, say, in the middle of a novel?
A:
Again, lightbulbs evolved this way to protect their host
humans. People often turn on lights when they enter a
