San Marco and evolutionary biology

Gould and Lewontin use San Marco, Venice, to criticise the adaptationist program in biology. Following their lead, the architectural term “spandrel” is now widely used in biology to denote a feature that is a necessary byproduct of other aspects of the organism. I review the debate over San Marco and argue that the spandrels are not necessary in the sense originally used by Gould and Lewontin. I conclude that almost all the claims that Gould makes about San Marco are wrong and that it is reasonable to view the architectural spandrel as an adaptation. The spandrels example has not provided a good illustration of why adaptive explanations should be avoided. In fact, it can be used as an example of how adaptive explanations can be dismissed even when there is evidence in their favour. I also discuss the use of the concept of a spandrel in biology.     

Soothsayers, Cigars and San Simon

Soothsayers, Cigars and San Simon. Copyright 1996, released in 1998. 58 minutes, color. film by Monica Zaac and Bo Ohlen. For more information, contact Filmakers Library. 124 East 40th St., New York. NY 10016.     

说三道四

《生命的化学》创刊 2 0周年了。这是生物化学界的大喜事 ,应该热烈庆祝。谨借用小人儿倪小的《长相思·踏青》词表喜悦的心情。“花也新 ,柳也新 ,昨夜南楼梦踏青 ,朝来记不真。歌几巡 ,笑几巡 ,日日寻芳泗水滨 ,由他姊妹嗔。”《生命的化学》是我国独创的一种生化专刊 ;从阳春白雪科研论著到下里巴人科普小文 ,无所不包 ,有美皆备 ,无丽不臻 ,雅俗共赏。以是生命力特长 ,长久不衰。在喜庆的日子里 ,心里高兴 ,不免谈古论今。是以“说三道四”亦足以振奋精神 ,以励再战。一、说　三1 .《生命的化学》先后在无锡、绍兴、广州开过三次科普创…