Arvid Ågren
@arvidagren.bsky.social
Evolutionary biologist. Assistant Professor CCLCM/CWRU.
The Gene's-Eye View of Evolution (OUP 2021) and The Paradox of the Organism (HUP 2025).
www.arvidagren.com
The Gene's-Eye View of Evolution (OUP 2021) and The Paradox of the Organism (HUP 2025).
www.arvidagren.com
Pinned
Arvid Ågren
@arvidagren.bsky.social
· Dec 17
The Paradox of the Organism: Adaptation and Internal Conflict is now out!
Get your copy directly from @harvardpress.bsky.social
Get your copy directly from @harvardpress.bsky.social
Reposted by Arvid Ågren
Dennett on trying to convince Hamilton, Dawkins, Ridley, and Grafen of Sober & Wilson’s critique of the gene’s-eye view.
May 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Dennett on trying to convince Hamilton, Dawkins, Ridley, and Grafen of Sober & Wilson’s critique of the gene’s-eye view.
Reposted by Arvid Ågren
📣SUBMISSION DEADLINE APPROACHING:
📣 28th February
Special Issue: Foundations of Internal Conflicts
Guest Edited by @martijnschenkel.bsky.social, @arvidagren.bsky.social, @imprintedgene.bsky.social, Nina Wedell and Manus Patten
For more info: academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/ca...
📣 28th February
Special Issue: Foundations of Internal Conflicts
Guest Edited by @martijnschenkel.bsky.social, @arvidagren.bsky.social, @imprintedgene.bsky.social, Nina Wedell and Manus Patten
For more info: academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/ca...
February 11, 2026 at 5:10 PM
📣SUBMISSION DEADLINE APPROACHING:
📣 28th February
Special Issue: Foundations of Internal Conflicts
Guest Edited by @martijnschenkel.bsky.social, @arvidagren.bsky.social, @imprintedgene.bsky.social, Nina Wedell and Manus Patten
For more info: academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/ca...
📣 28th February
Special Issue: Foundations of Internal Conflicts
Guest Edited by @martijnschenkel.bsky.social, @arvidagren.bsky.social, @imprintedgene.bsky.social, Nina Wedell and Manus Patten
For more info: academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/ca...
Very excited for the upcoming seminars of the of the Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation STN @eseb.bsky.social!
Featuring @manishamuna.bsky.social, @mobilepurin.bsky.social, @joealcock.bsky.social, @asherleeks.bsky.social
Join the email list here:
internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com
Featuring @manishamuna.bsky.social, @mobilepurin.bsky.social, @joealcock.bsky.social, @asherleeks.bsky.social
Join the email list here:
internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Very excited for the upcoming seminars of the of the Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation STN @eseb.bsky.social!
Featuring @manishamuna.bsky.social, @mobilepurin.bsky.social, @joealcock.bsky.social, @asherleeks.bsky.social
Join the email list here:
internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com
Featuring @manishamuna.bsky.social, @mobilepurin.bsky.social, @joealcock.bsky.social, @asherleeks.bsky.social
Join the email list here:
internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com
It’s hard to imagine In Our Time without Melvyn Bragg, but excited to see what Misha Glenny will do with the greatest radio programme of all time.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
In Our Time review – the first Melvyn Bragg-less show will have made BBC management clench buttocks
Misha Glenny’s debut as host of the long-running Radio 4 series tackled JS Mill’s On Liberty – a bold move given the BBC’s current legal battles
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
It’s hard to imagine In Our Time without Melvyn Bragg, but excited to see what Misha Glenny will do with the greatest radio programme of all time.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
"There is still life in the old dog."
Brian Charlesworth on Fisher's Fundamental Theorem in @journal-evo.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1093/evol...
Brian Charlesworth on Fisher's Fundamental Theorem in @journal-evo.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1093/evol...
Is the Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection of any use?
Abstract. There have been many recent discussions of the Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection, with an emphasis on its mathematical accuracy. It is arg
doi.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:38 PM
"There is still life in the old dog."
Brian Charlesworth on Fisher's Fundamental Theorem in @journal-evo.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1093/evol...
Brian Charlesworth on Fisher's Fundamental Theorem in @journal-evo.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1093/evol...
The answer is Stephen Hawking.
10 points to @kokkonut.bsky.social
Anecdote from Jonathan Watt’s Lovelock biography (2024, p. 59).
10 points to @kokkonut.bsky.social
Anecdote from Jonathan Watt’s Lovelock biography (2024, p. 59).
SUNDAY TRIVIA
After injuring himself on a Bunsen burner, James Lovelock (later of Gaia theory fame), was invited to dinner by his doctor. There, he met a baby who he would not see again until they were both elected fellows of the Royal Society in 1974.
Who was the baby?
After injuring himself on a Bunsen burner, James Lovelock (later of Gaia theory fame), was invited to dinner by his doctor. There, he met a baby who he would not see again until they were both elected fellows of the Royal Society in 1974.
Who was the baby?
February 1, 2026 at 7:35 PM
The answer is Stephen Hawking.
10 points to @kokkonut.bsky.social
Anecdote from Jonathan Watt’s Lovelock biography (2024, p. 59).
10 points to @kokkonut.bsky.social
Anecdote from Jonathan Watt’s Lovelock biography (2024, p. 59).
SUNDAY TRIVIA
After injuring himself on a Bunsen burner, James Lovelock (later of Gaia theory fame), was invited to dinner by his doctor. There, he met a baby who he would not see again until they were both elected fellows of the Royal Society in 1974.
Who was the baby?
After injuring himself on a Bunsen burner, James Lovelock (later of Gaia theory fame), was invited to dinner by his doctor. There, he met a baby who he would not see again until they were both elected fellows of the Royal Society in 1974.
Who was the baby?
February 1, 2026 at 2:13 PM
SUNDAY TRIVIA
After injuring himself on a Bunsen burner, James Lovelock (later of Gaia theory fame), was invited to dinner by his doctor. There, he met a baby who he would not see again until they were both elected fellows of the Royal Society in 1974.
Who was the baby?
After injuring himself on a Bunsen burner, James Lovelock (later of Gaia theory fame), was invited to dinner by his doctor. There, he met a baby who he would not see again until they were both elected fellows of the Royal Society in 1974.
Who was the baby?
Medawar may have called individuality "a pseudoproblem invented by nature-philosophers to give biology an air of profundity", but here I think we show that there is still much fun to be had.
NEW PAPER with @arvidagren.bsky.social and Manus Patten on evolutionary reversions in individuality now out (as an advance article) at @jevbio.bsky.social (see academic.oup.com/jeb/advance-...). Thread below! [1/8]
.
.
Evolutionary transitions and reversions in individuality
Abstract. Biological individuality exists in different forms—unicellular, multicellular, colonial, etc.—which have arisen through evolutionary transitions
academic.oup.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Medawar may have called individuality "a pseudoproblem invented by nature-philosophers to give biology an air of profundity", but here I think we show that there is still much fun to be had.
If you can only visit one place at Harvard, make it the glass flower exhibit at the Museum of Natural History.
4000 models, 847 species.
Commissioned by the university for teaching botany and created by the Czech father and son Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka 1887 through 1936.
4000 models, 847 species.
Commissioned by the university for teaching botany and created by the Czech father and son Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka 1887 through 1936.
January 29, 2026 at 4:14 PM
If you can only visit one place at Harvard, make it the glass flower exhibit at the Museum of Natural History.
4000 models, 847 species.
Commissioned by the university for teaching botany and created by the Czech father and son Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka 1887 through 1936.
4000 models, 847 species.
Commissioned by the university for teaching botany and created by the Czech father and son Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka 1887 through 1936.
How and when can internal conflicts tear an individual organism apart?
That’s the question at the heart of this new paper.
Great thread by lead author @martijnschenkel.bsky.social below.
That’s the question at the heart of this new paper.
Great thread by lead author @martijnschenkel.bsky.social below.
NEW PAPER with @arvidagren.bsky.social and Manus Patten on evolutionary reversions in individuality now out (as an advance article) at @jevbio.bsky.social (see academic.oup.com/jeb/advance-...). Thread below! [1/8]
.
.
Evolutionary transitions and reversions in individuality
Abstract. Biological individuality exists in different forms—unicellular, multicellular, colonial, etc.—which have arisen through evolutionary transitions
academic.oup.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:59 PM
How and when can internal conflicts tear an individual organism apart?
That’s the question at the heart of this new paper.
Great thread by lead author @martijnschenkel.bsky.social below.
That’s the question at the heart of this new paper.
Great thread by lead author @martijnschenkel.bsky.social below.
Starting in 15 minutes!
Join Richard Michod from the University of Arizona on Jan 28, 2026, discussing evolutionary transitions in individuality and fitness reorganization in multicellular life. More info: https://philinbiomed.cnrs.fr/event/richard-michod-reorganization-fitness/ #conference
January 28, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Starting in 15 minutes!
Great anecdote about the 1980 selfish DNA papers in Nature.
January 28, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Great anecdote about the 1980 selfish DNA papers in Nature.
*NEW PAPER*
The comparative method is one of the most powerful tools we have.
Here, we use comparative oncology to show how it can be applied to evolutionary medicine.
Now out in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health.
academic.oup.com/emph/arti
The comparative method is one of the most powerful tools we have.
Here, we use comparative oncology to show how it can be applied to evolutionary medicine.
Now out in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health.
academic.oup.com/emph/arti
January 27, 2026 at 4:13 PM
*NEW PAPER*
The comparative method is one of the most powerful tools we have.
Here, we use comparative oncology to show how it can be applied to evolutionary medicine.
Now out in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health.
academic.oup.com/emph/arti
The comparative method is one of the most powerful tools we have.
Here, we use comparative oncology to show how it can be applied to evolutionary medicine.
Now out in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health.
academic.oup.com/emph/arti
Everyone should read the Spandrels paper.
But too often it's discussed without context of the other contributions.
Esp. Clutton-Brock & Harvey on how the comparative method can be used to test adaptive hypothesis, and Cain’s final critique (which SJG called “tame” compared to the oral remarks).
But too often it's discussed without context of the other contributions.
Esp. Clutton-Brock & Harvey on how the comparative method can be used to test adaptive hypothesis, and Cain’s final critique (which SJG called “tame” compared to the oral remarks).
January 26, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Everyone should read the Spandrels paper.
But too often it's discussed without context of the other contributions.
Esp. Clutton-Brock & Harvey on how the comparative method can be used to test adaptive hypothesis, and Cain’s final critique (which SJG called “tame” compared to the oral remarks).
But too often it's discussed without context of the other contributions.
Esp. Clutton-Brock & Harvey on how the comparative method can be used to test adaptive hypothesis, and Cain’s final critique (which SJG called “tame” compared to the oral remarks).
Post-graduate studies, graduate studies, or post-graduation studies?
E.B. Ford focusing on what matters in the preface to Ecological Genetics (1964, p. xiv)
E.B. Ford focusing on what matters in the preface to Ecological Genetics (1964, p. xiv)
January 22, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Post-graduate studies, graduate studies, or post-graduation studies?
E.B. Ford focusing on what matters in the preface to Ecological Genetics (1964, p. xiv)
E.B. Ford focusing on what matters in the preface to Ecological Genetics (1964, p. xiv)
Reposted by Arvid Ågren
Join us for another Internal Conflicts STN seminar tomorrow at 9:00 UTC! Emily Hornett (@bolinabug.bsky.social) and Greg Hurst (@greghurst.bsky.social) will talk about their work on male-killing and sex determination evolution. Zoom info and more: internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/
January 20, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Join us for another Internal Conflicts STN seminar tomorrow at 9:00 UTC! Emily Hornett (@bolinabug.bsky.social) and Greg Hurst (@greghurst.bsky.social) will talk about their work on male-killing and sex determination evolution. Zoom info and more: internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/
Correction: the “you” is, of course, James Lovelock (not Ruse).
With thanks to @jdagg.bsky.social for catching it.
With thanks to @jdagg.bsky.social for catching it.
John Maynard Smith talking to Michael Ruse about Gaia, which JMS had earlier called ”just an evil religion”.
January 18, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Correction: the “you” is, of course, James Lovelock (not Ruse).
With thanks to @jdagg.bsky.social for catching it.
With thanks to @jdagg.bsky.social for catching it.
A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed about Lynn Margulis for a Swedish radio programme.
In preparation, I read her festschrift.
I knew she had some odd ideas (HIV and AIDS, caterpillars and hybridogenesis), but was still surprised to see that her only contribution to the volume was on 9/11.
In preparation, I read her festschrift.
I knew she had some odd ideas (HIV and AIDS, caterpillars and hybridogenesis), but was still surprised to see that her only contribution to the volume was on 9/11.
January 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM
A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed about Lynn Margulis for a Swedish radio programme.
In preparation, I read her festschrift.
I knew she had some odd ideas (HIV and AIDS, caterpillars and hybridogenesis), but was still surprised to see that her only contribution to the volume was on 9/11.
In preparation, I read her festschrift.
I knew she had some odd ideas (HIV and AIDS, caterpillars and hybridogenesis), but was still surprised to see that her only contribution to the volume was on 9/11.
An evolutionary biologist and a molecular biologist go to heaven.
January 17, 2026 at 11:12 PM
An evolutionary biologist and a molecular biologist go to heaven.
E.O. Wilson on how to make a Harvard colleague aware of your existence.
From Cora Stuhrmann’s @monoclemind.bsky.social latest paper.
From Cora Stuhrmann’s @monoclemind.bsky.social latest paper.
January 9, 2026 at 1:37 PM
E.O. Wilson on how to make a Harvard colleague aware of your existence.
From Cora Stuhrmann’s @monoclemind.bsky.social latest paper.
From Cora Stuhrmann’s @monoclemind.bsky.social latest paper.
JBS Haldane reacting to Niko Tinbergen’s criticism of his English.
Remembered by Aubrey Manning.
Remembered by Aubrey Manning.
January 8, 2026 at 2:02 PM
JBS Haldane reacting to Niko Tinbergen’s criticism of his English.
Remembered by Aubrey Manning.
Remembered by Aubrey Manning.
Michael Ruse on how the levels of selection debate had turned into a 'neo-scholastic industry'...
... in 1993!
... in 1993!
January 5, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Michael Ruse on how the levels of selection debate had turned into a 'neo-scholastic industry'...
... in 1993!
... in 1993!
Reposted by Arvid Ågren
Nice to actually do some reading around the holidays.
January 4, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Nice to actually do some reading around the holidays.
For the Swedish speakers, here is me talking about Lynn Margulis on the Swedish Radio’s show Dåliga Råd sverigesradio.se/play/avsnitt...
Berättelsen om livets uppkomst - Dåliga råd
När Lynn Margulis hävdar att avancerat liv uppstod genom symbios, inte konkurrens, möter hon starka reaktioner.
sverigesradio.se
January 3, 2026 at 5:01 PM
For the Swedish speakers, here is me talking about Lynn Margulis on the Swedish Radio’s show Dåliga Råd sverigesradio.se/play/avsnitt...