chapter 1-2 The Selfish Gene

In chapter 1 of The Selfish Gene, Dawkins describes the race of evolution and of survival between all species. The word "describes" is in italics because of the very common mistake made in the world where people say that Dawkins explains the race of evolution. To explain something means to tell how something should be, while when you describe something, you use adjectives, other descriptive words and examples to show how that particular thing is.

Dawkins describes that each specie must change and must be able to adapt to its surroundings. with evolution and the advances in technology, the environment is constantly changing. If the specie cannot change itself to work in its new environment, then it will die off with all other species which could not change to adapt themselves.

Dawkins also describes how all genes have a selfish personality. They are all said to want to be the best in order to pass the test of "survival of the fittest. each specie is willing to do anything in order to take out competition and make sure they are safe within the game, but because not all were made to be able to adapt to all the hardships, some are eliminated and become extinct. This process is inevitable. From the minute you enter the world, you are submitted into the race and must strive to be the winner.

In chapter 2, Dawkins talks about DNA. he says that it is the most successful and productive replicator in the world. He treats them as if they are living things. He says that they develop more elaborate shells over time to protect themselves and their vital, complex, and hard work. this is somewhat true considering that all DNA had some sort of "skin" and "vessel" to cover and protect it from any outside dangers.

Like all other species, DNA had to go through the process of elimination as well. only the fit and useful DNA was kept within the species while the unnecessary DNA eventually died out. this process brought us to the complex and grand DNA we have today, but the process will continue and new DNA will continue to form as the old will continue to die out.