conundrum

Conundrum: The Evolution of Homosexuality
$15.99
I'm pleased to report that I finished J. N. Peters' Conundrum: The Evolution of Homosexuality (2006), and was pleasantly surprised by his ability to cram more information into 167 pp. with endnotes, and cover the subject with surprising sophistication and accuracy in the main -- from many interdisciplinary perspectives. If readers looking for a quick overview of modern biology, the conundrum of how homophilia continues to exist under Darwin's theories of evolution, this is the briefest account I can recommend.

Obviously, an author with the task of explaining, "if homosexuality is inherited, shouldn't it have died out by now?" It is the singular conundrum that seems to throw a wrench into an otherwise unquestioned theory of life, its origins, and speciation. The book will appeal especially to individuals who want the "basic facts," but could use a flippant manner about it -- in an effort not to reduce all human biology in a small book.

Thus, an important caveat. I would not take Peters presentation on any one aspect as "the whole story," but rather as an "overview" of the key facts -- with amusing editorial comment thrown in to keep it "light and airy." Academics will not find it to their standards of scholarship. And I hasten to add that Peters oversimplifies the five Darwinian theories by reducing it to two, which really could have been avoided -- especially since that is the mission of the title. (Omitted are variation, adaptation, and graduation -- not trifles when it comes to the "whole story.)

Frame by Frame [VHS]
$95.98
Marg Helgenberger in an earlier role (CSI currently). You definitely get to see 'a lot' of Marg (adult material definitely - murder and sexual encounter). Not for children but very suspenseful and exciting!

Conundrum (New York Review Books Classics)
$14.00
This small and compact text was pleasantly read, by the author's amazing ability to cram more information into 167 pp. with endnotes, and still tackle the subject with sufficient information and decent accuracy for its purposes -- including interdisciplinary perspectives that are far removed from biology. If readers looking for a concise overview of modern biology, the conundrum of how it is that homophilia continues to exist under Darwin's theories of evolution, this is the briefest account I can recommend.

Obviously, an author with the task of explaining, "if homosexuality is inherited, shouldn't it have died out by now?" has much to try to explain. It is the singular conundrum that seems to throw a wrench into an otherwise unquestioned theory of life, its origins, and speciation. The book will appeal especially to individuals who want the "basic facts," but might use the author's flippant style while perusing condense material.

Thus, an important caveat. I would not take Peters' superficial presentation on any one aspect as "the whole story," but rather as an "overview" of the key facts -- with amusing editorial comment thrown in to keep it "light and airy." Academics will not find it to their standards of scholarship. And I hasten to add that Peters oversimplifies the five Darwinian theories by reducing it to two, which really could have been avoided -- especially since that is the mission of the title. (Omitted are variation, adaptation, and graduation -- not trifles when it comes to the "whole story.)

He also tackles some modern and postmodern theories in the academy that only the academy takes seriously, if at all, and he chooses not to dwell on the Sociobiological Debate at Harvard by two avowed Marxist biologists that tried to discredit E. O. Wilson and the theory of adaptationism, one of the five cardinal theories of Darwinian evolution, that undermines the prime thesis of Marxism (q.v., Segerstrale's "Defenders of Truth" OUP, 2000). So, Marxists and Evangelicals both have a mutual distaste for Darwin -- each for different reasons, which is not only concealed, but made "trivial" by Peters.

Those readers seeking a more accurate and sophisticated approach to evolution -- without the conundrum homophilia seems to present -- may consult Segerstrale or Ernst Mayr's "What Evolution Is." For those with light-hearted tastes will prefer Peters' breezy approach. Lots of information with lots of fun.

MINDTRAP CLASSIC CONUNDRUMS NOVICE LEVEL
$8.98
Full of quirky characters bizarre situations and convoluted logic, these classic conundrums will exercise your brain while tickling your funny bone. In the twisted world of MindTrap, it's not what you know that counts, it's how you think. This is the Novice Level