ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
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There is a wonderful cartoon book on evolution, called the Sandwalk
Adventures (http://www.jayhosler.com/Sandwalk.html) that I just received
after months on back-order at Amazon.  In the lengthy end notes there is
an excellent discussion on fitness.  The author, Jay Hosler, a biology
professor at Juniata College in PA reminds his readers that fitness is
defined only by how many offspring you have.

Dave Smith, Da Vinci Discovery Center

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Siegel
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2005 11:40 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Evolution frantics, semantics and romantics


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
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Speaking of semantics, I am struck by the drift of the word "fit" (as  
in survival of the fittest).  It now synonymous with buff, or tough,  
or strong.  As I understand it, the original meaning (not from  
Darwin, but from Malthus? I think) was those qualities which make the  
organism most "fit" the environment.   Does that seem right?

Eric Siegel
Executive VP
    Programs and Planning
NY Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368
www.nyscience.org

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