One of my all time science heroes was Stephen Jay Gould, a professor of palaeontology at Harvard, and so much more to those who were touched by his incredible life. Gould was a huge influence in my young zoological career, and the man who really turned me on to evolution theory through his essays and papers (On The Origin of Species may well be the "bible" for evolution theory, but makes a very dull read).The real reason he is my hero though is that whilst being one of the most prolific science writers of his generation, he made time to respond to the childish letter sent by a Nottingham undergraduate asking him why men had nipples. The thoughtful and uncritical note he sent back remains one of my most treasured possessions.
However what first switched me on to SJG was the titles he generated for his books and writings. Whilst most scientists would publish "A study of arthropod timelines in the cambrian to precambrian fossil record" (feel the eyelids drooping?), the first SJG paper I read revelled in the title "The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: A critique of the adaptationist programme". And the content matched the title, using the shapes in a cathedral roof and the ranting optimism of a Voltaire character to form a well reasoned argument about pre-adaptation in evolution theory.
SJG died in 2002, but he lives on in his work. I have a shelf of his books (actually, a box in the loft since we moved) but stumbling across this website has prompted me to dig them out and re-read the lot.
And yes, he even made it onto the Simpsons.
http://www.stephenjaygould.org/
...but what was his answer?
ReplyDeleteWhy do men have nipples?
A classic example of a nonadaptive trait, and an argument for evolution (and a particular evolutionary mechanism) against design. This is similar to the argument put forward in "The Spandrels of San Marco..." where the adaptationist looks for a purpose in everything, such as the beautiful diamond criss cross patterns in the ceiling of St Marks in Venice, whereas an understanding of evolution would tell not everythiing has to have a purpose - it could be "nonadaptive". So the beautiful patterns on that ceiling are merely the result of putting a series of columns up and building a vaulted ceiling. Read similar arguments in SJGs "Hens Teeth and Horses Toes", "The Pandas Thumb" and "Eight Little Piggies". (told you he wrote good titles!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, in early foetal development, males and females share many traits, and over time each begins to develop differently right through to puberty and beyond. So whilst nipples in a female develop a significant biological function, there is no evolutionary force to prevent men having their non-functional nipples (jargon - they are nonadaptive which means they are selectively neutral).
That's what he said in his letter anyway.