Evolution by Gene Duplication

Exploring the interplay between necessity and leisure, the book delves into the origins of human creativity and cultural advancement, emphasizing that true innovation often arises when minds are free to wander. It parallels this idea with evolution, highlighting how natural selection conservatively polices genetic mutations while redundancy allows for the emergence of new gene loci. This process has enabled significant evolutionary leaps, leading from simple unicellular organisms to complex metazoans and mammals, illustrating the intricate balance of conservation and innovation in both culture and biology.