Why are people getting fatter? Why do so many rock stars end up dead at 27? Is there any hope of curbing population growth, rampant consumerism and the environmental devastation they wreak?

 

Evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks argues that the origins of these twenty-first century problems can be found where the ancient forces of evolution collide with modern culture and economics.

 

In Sex, Genes and Rock ‘n’ Roll Brooks illustrates how evolution stands alongside economics, anthropology, psychology and political science in shaping our world, and affects important aspects of our life, from falling in love to making music, our obsession with rock ‘n roll, sexual conflict, fertility, obesity, consumption, ageing and more.

Prologue
1. The weight of our ancestry
2. Obesity is not for everyone
3. Weapons of massive consumption
4. Dwindling fertility
5. Shakespearean love
6. Wrapped around your finger
7. Love is a battlefield
8. Where have all the young girls gone?
9. Blame it on the Stones
10.  About a boy
11.  Immortality
Thanks
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Students of evolutionary biology, zoology, medicine, sociology, anthropology – and above all the interested general reader.

Rob Brooks lectured and finished his PhD at Wits University and is now Professor of Evolution and Director of the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre at University of South Wales, Sydney. He is the author of more than a hundred scientific papers, mostly on how sex and reproduction impacts the lives of animals and humans. In 2010 he was awarded the Australian Academy of Science’s Fenner Medal. You can read some of his articles on www.robbrooks.net.

‘Engaging and witty … His science is good, his writing is clear, and his policy suggestions would make the world a better place. A must-read for the evo-curious.’ – Geoffrey Miller, author of The Mating Mind and Spend: Sex, Evolution and Consumer Behaviour