In The Blink Of An Eye
by Andrew Parker /
2003 / English / PDF
12.7 MB Download
The Cambrian Explosion is universally referred to as biology's
"Big Bang." About 550 million years ago, there was literally an
explosion of life forms, as all the major animal groups suddenly
and dramatically appeared. Why did it happen this way? Why didn't
these creatures continue the slow, plodding pace of evolution,
appearing only very gradually in the fossil record? Although
several books have been written about this surprising event, none
have explained why it occurred. Indeed, none were able to.Here,
for the first time, Oxford zoologist Andrew Parker reveals his
theory of this great flourishing of life. Parker's "Light Switch
Theory" holds that it was the development of vision in primitive
animals that caused the explosion. Precambrian creatures were
unable to see, making it impossible to find friend or foe. With
the evolution of the eye, the size, shape, color, and behavior of
animals was suddenly revealed for the first time. Once the lights
were "turned on," all animals had to either adapt or die, and in
a geological instant, the world became a very different place. A
controversial theory but one that is quickly gaining ground, the
Light Switch Theory promises to revolutionize our understanding
of life and light. Drawing on evidence not just from biology but
also from geology, physics, chemistry, history, and art, In the
Blink of an Eye is the fascinating story of a young scientist's
intellectual journey, and a celebration of the scientific method.
The Cambrian Explosion is universally referred to as biology's
"Big Bang." About 550 million years ago, there was literally an
explosion of life forms, as all the major animal groups suddenly
and dramatically appeared. Why did it happen this way? Why didn't
these creatures continue the slow, plodding pace of evolution,
appearing only very gradually in the fossil record? Although
several books have been written about this surprising event, none
have explained why it occurred. Indeed, none were able to.Here,
for the first time, Oxford zoologist Andrew Parker reveals his
theory of this great flourishing of life. Parker's "Light Switch
Theory" holds that it was the development of vision in primitive
animals that caused the explosion. Precambrian creatures were
unable to see, making it impossible to find friend or foe. With
the evolution of the eye, the size, shape, color, and behavior of
animals was suddenly revealed for the first time. Once the lights
were "turned on," all animals had to either adapt or die, and in
a geological instant, the world became a very different place. A
controversial theory but one that is quickly gaining ground, the
Light Switch Theory promises to revolutionize our understanding
of life and light. Drawing on evidence not just from biology but
also from geology, physics, chemistry, history, and art, In the
Blink of an Eye is the fascinating story of a young scientist's
intellectual journey, and a celebration of the scientific method.
