The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature by Matt Ridley

The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature is a book by British scientist, journalist and author Matt Ridley. In it, Ridley explores the evolutionary shifts of human nature, particularly in regards to gender roles and sexuality over thousands of years. He draws upon evolutionary theory, social sciences, and personal anecdotes from his travels around the world to make his argument. For Ridley, the pressure of sex and evolution have given rise to the complexities of human culture and behavior.

The main theme explored by Ridley is that of the Red Queen, or “the idea that evolution is like a race in which one species must outrun its competitors”. To illustrate this concept, he draws upon the fairy tale of Alice in Wonderland and references By Stormbergen’s poem, The Red Queen’s Race. In the poem, the Red Queen is seen running faster and faster just to stay in the same place. According to Ridley, this concept applies to evolution in which species must continuously run ahead of their competition in order to survive.

Ridley also criticizes the notion that human nature is fixed and unchangeable, arguing instead that it has evolved in response to our cultural, political, social, and technological environment. He claims that the fact that our nature changed so much over the thousands of years of human existence suggests that our current version is just as malleable. To make his point, Ridley examines human sexual life and its evolutionary impact on our behavior. He attributes the differences in male and female sexual behavior to differences between the sexes in what he calls the “the struggle for sexual control”.

Ridley posits that males and females are driven by different strategies when it comes to mating. While males attempt to achieve reproductive success through as many partners as possible, females focus on forming strong bonds and long-term relationships with a single mate. He also argues that the development of strong emotional bonds between people and the desire for sexual monogamy have been especially beneficial to human society and have led to the high level of social, economic, and technological development seen today.

The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature is an insightful examination of human culture, behavior, and evolution. By drawing upon evolutionary theory, social sciences, and first-hand accounts from his travels around the world, Ridley has managed to dispel the myth that human nature is fixed and unchangeable, demonstrating instead that it has evolved and can continue to evolve in response to our changing environment. His thought-provoking arguments and observations make The Red Queen a worthwhile read for readers interested in understanding the complexities of human nature and its effect on society.