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Survival of the hottest: evolution’s fun side has been long overlooked

22 March 2025

9:00 AM

22 March 2025

9:00 AM

The theory of evolution is dominated by the utilitarian logic of natural selection: adapt or die, survival of the fittest. But consider that ‘fit’ has two meanings these days: ‘healthy’ but also ‘hot’. There is another evolutionary mechanism that scientists have taken a longer time to appreciate – seduction by the hottest, rather than survival of the fittest.

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