[soc/neuro; feminism] Eusociality

[siderea]

I.

They're right.Or at least, Group Selection is right. I've been reasonably certain Kin Selection was mathematically ludicrous since I learned about it at age 15, and it didn't add up then, but I figured actual scientists must have looked into it and I would hold my opinion until I had a chance to hear what they said. I got a little distracted

Comments

[en_ki]

My understanding was that it rather has been looked into, and folks are saying Wilson isn't saying "group selection is right", he's saying "kin selection needs improvement to fix [these problems]". Having not yet actually read the paper or completed advanced work in biology, am not qualified to comment further.

(Here's an example of group selection leading in the opposite direction from eusociality that I happen to have lying around.)

If you get into this and need papers, I still have PDF-smuggling powers via both the Institute and the Institute and am willing to offer three wishes.

[coraline]

yeah, i was about to offer my likewise institutional access to various PDFs and my amateur librarian-ing to dig them up, if you want. (i do this for my dad all the time.)

[siderea]

Ooh, thanks! I may take you up on that offer.

BTW, did you see livredor's comment about bioscience journal convention? Is that your experience, too?

[coraline]

it made sense to me because i'm certain i've seen it with more-than-three-author papers, but i haven't specifically paid attention to three-author papers. and yes, that is my understanding on the placement of authorship (usually -- there are political wranglings over authorship always) -- i.e. 1st author is the primary, last author is usually the PI, middle authors do a lot of the basic labwork :)

[siderea]

OK, I've read the paper (link is now above), and your paraphrase is close. More accurately, Wilson's saying, "Kin selection is wrong, allow me to demonstrate. OK, so now we need a new theory. Here have this one