| For example, when the living creature grows in terms
of size. Its cubic volume becomes large but its surface area(which is necessary for cutaneous respiratoin and nutrition intake) decreases, then itcomes to take a more clever form to recover the lost surface areas. Using illustration, he compare this process to the development of church design which is originally very simple. The larger the church becomes,themorecomplex, longer, and narrower, it becomes for the necessary of lighting and ventilation. Gould refers to Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse explaining the effectiveness of Neoteny in a human being. He says Mickey Mouse came to look cuter and wiser as time passes because of the change in touch of Mickey's designer, Walt Disney. Another great scholar is Richard Dawkins. He also tells us about the biological world.His theory is totally unexpected. He published a book “The Selfish Gene” in 1976. The book was translated under the title “SEIBUTU=SEIZON KIKAI RON (Creature = Theory of the Existent machine)”in Japan. In 1991, the book was revised and enlarged under a new title “RIKOTEKINA IDENSI (TheSelfishGene).” Though belated I read the book and was indeed astonished. He says, while the life of a creature is several tens of years, a gene exist for several million years by copying itself from generation togeneration. becomes, the more complex. The gene does not exist for existence of a living creature but a creature exist as a vehicle for the eternal journey of the selfish gene. You may think his theory is ridiculous, but if you keep on reading, you will be persuaded in the mean-time by his beautiful, exquisite and humorous prose using many analogies, examples and theories. He is indeed a quick-thinking and clever guy. Embarrassingly, but interestingly enough, Gould, my old friend, makes a frontal attack upon Dawkins' theory. Then Dawkins sharply refutes Gould. Kumiko Takeuchi, a biologist, develops Dawkins' theory in her science essays using comprehensible terms. Takeuchi says “I really don't care if people say I am lying in my theory. I would be happy if they say I am a big liar. ”She writes in a light and easy style with her unique black humor. |