Perry Marshall - Evolution 2.0: Breaking the Deadlock Between Darwin and Design

Standing on the knife-edge between traditional evolutionary theory and Intelligent Design, this book will inflame both dogmatic Darwinists and Creationists. Its irritating to both because its friendly to the idea of evolution itself and because it judges Darwinism too close-minded and reductive.

In writing Evolution 2.0, my friend Perry Marshall has chosen the path of maximum risk, but with it the chance of a pioneering new horizons in the origin and evolution of life. Perry has deliberately parachuted into hostile territory. To bridge this gap demands rare qualities: a maverick approach, thirst for challenge, freedom to explore, and the will to slaughter sacred cows.

Perry dares to bring new disciplines to the debate, namely computer science and electrical engineering. These fields bring light and innovative problem-solving to biology.

While most scientists submit to self-censorship and dare not question cherished assumptions, the boldest scientists like Albert Einstein, Francis Crick, and Stephen Hawking never feared such taboos. Whether agnostics, atheists, or believers, they never shrank back from big questions or unconventional solutions. Evolution and design are not either/or, but both/and.

JEAN-CLAUDE PEREZ, author, Codex Biogenesis, and retired IBM Biomathematics and Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Researcher

In Evolution 2.0, Mr. Marshall has made a gallant attempt to bridge the gap between conventional evolutionary theory and creationism by applying his vast knowledge in computer science and electrical engineering to biology.

Mr. Marshall is making an invaluable contribution toward more open and honest discussion on the subject of evolution versus creation. The book is well written, often witty, and is extremely thought provoking.

I pre-ordered a few copies of Evolution 2.0 for our grandchildren. It is amazing that this non-biologist has analyzed life phenomena at the cellular and molecular levels to such depth and width by applying information gained by cutting-edge methods in the life sciences!

The author has amassed a wealth of information gathered from 409 cited sources in various fields, ranging from biology to theology. Being a cell/molecular biologist and a Christian, I have often been asked about my views on Christian faith and evolution by my students and colleagues. I have responded by saying I do not see any conflict between ones personal belief in creation and scientific search for the mechanism of evolution.

This is because I believe the recognition of God as the creator and sustainer of life does not have to be in opposition to the concept of evolution, more complex organisms arising from simpler ones. However, I recognize that the conflict between the atheistic view of human origin as a result of mechanistic evolution and that of human creation in Gods image might remain unresolvable.

Mr. Marshall offers a technology prize to anyone finding an example of information that does not come from a designer. The prize money alone would be an incentive to read the book, especially for those who deny the existence of a designer.

DR. KWANG JEON, editor, International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology, and professor emeritus, Department of Biochemistry, University of Tennessee

Any person of faith who cares about how creation reveals Godand how evolution is actually a devastating arsenal of evidence against atheismshould add Evolution 2.0 to the extreme tippy-top of their reading list. Evolution 2.0 is equally shocking to both atheists and Christians, a genuine eye-opener in a category of its own.

Perry has a dogged focus in the finest tradition of sciences founders. Hes fair and honest with facts that few assess calmly. He explains complex evolutionary systems with clear and understandable illustrations. Hes superbly crafted an engaging and persuasive narrative.

Evolution 2.0 weaves seemingly dry, technical, even incomprehensible topics into a tight, fascinating story around his own scientific and spiritual journeyrevealing empirically valid and truly astonishing facts about DNA. These facts turn mainstream evolution on its head.

He demonstrates beyond doubt that the development of new attributes and species is staggeringly sophisticated, directly comparable with computer code and languages...only far more advanced. All of this is extensively referenced for readers who want to verify his claims or just discover amazing capabilities of DNA that have been proven (but not publicized) for 50+ years.

Perrys focus on scientific data does not come at the expense of other critical issues. He ably canvasses the hard problem of consciousness, the philosophical underpinnings of science, the curiosity-killing presuppositions of neo-Darwinism, and sciences history with faith. He is commendably straightforward and presents the central ideas clearlyeven to people with no prior knowledge.

He may or may not convince you of common ancestry or the age of the earth. But you will find his overall presentation absolutely compelling.

D. BNONN TENANT, ThinkingMatters.org.nz

A very readable book and a devastating attack on the neo-Darwinist orthodoxy that evolution is nothing but natural selection acting on random variation.

PETER SAUNDERS, codirector, Institute of Science in Society, and Emeritus professor of Applied Mathematics, Kings College, London

With considerable wit and amazing insight, Marshall delivers a compelling and forceful synthesis that sets a new standard for discussions about the relationship between science and faith. The result is no less than astonishing.

MARK MCMENAMIN, professor of geology, Mount Holyoke College

Perry shows that there are processes in the cell which suggest that the cell itself is sufficiently smart to rearrange its genome and direct its own evolution. Perry argues that at some level there may be a relationship between naturalistic processes and design reminiscent of the paradox of particle/wave duality in physics.

The book is wonderfully thought provoking as Perry brings a fresh perspective to the increasingly arid (and acrimonious) debate between Intelligent Design and methodological naturalism.

CROFTON BRIERLEY, MS, Biochemistry, Oxford University, former department head, Marconi Optical

A remarkable and useful resume of the state of the art of this great problem of science.

STUART PIVAR, author, Lifecode and On the Origin of Form, and cofounder, New York Academy of Art

I am committed to Young Earth Creationism, and thus cannot agree with some of Perrys conclusions. However, I highly recommend this book to any skeptic who is committed to a purely materialistic paradigm. The science presented herefrom the latest research to the most engaging minds on this subjectmakes this the one book you should read.

RAY GLINSKI, MS, Biochemistry, pastor at Grace Church of DuPage

Evolution 2.0 is a modern philosophical marvel unlike anything I have read in my years of study. It allowed me to put down my guard. The author was not compelling me to believe in an ideology, but rather taking me alongside his journey of self-discovery. I came into this book hesitant. As a staunch creationist I found myself trying to fight with Marshall early on, but his arguments and presentation were flawless and compelling. It was refreshing to see someone examine both sides honestly.

While reading his provocative and thorough discourse, I was not offended with the manner in which he dealt with a sensitive topic. Marshall was raw and candid, but curious. He was never hasty to draw conclusions, but he also didnt drag the reader through an endless chamber of mind maps. Marshalls approach was logical, while retaining a human element. He takes us through his journey, and in turn, we enter our own voyage of discovery. Iron sharpens iron.