On the Origins of Artificial Species unveils a groundbreaking exploration of evolution that goes beyond Charles Darwin's natural theory. Authored by David R. Wood, the book decodes ancient Greek mythology and philosophy to fully reveal the patterns of evolution, both natural and artificial. Wood's work spans across various fields, including evolution, neuroscience, philosophy, history, politics, business, warfare, and technology, offering scientific breakthroughs that redefine our understanding of the present and our ability to predict the future. What struck me most about this book is its capacity to clarify the implications of artificial intelligence in evolutionary terms. Reading On the Origins of Artificial Species felt like a mind-expanding journey, providing insights that extend far beyond the boundaries of conventional thought. It would be a great read for anyone fascinated by the intersection of science, philosophy, and the future of humanity.

Hold onto your hats, folks! On the Origins of Artificial Species is not your average book—it's a mind-bending rollercoaster that takes you on a journey through evolution like never before. David R. Wood is like the cool, rebellious cousin of Charles Darwin, shaking up the scientific scene with ancient Greek mythology and a fresh perspective. This book doesn't just stop at natural evolution; it dives into the world of artificial intelligence, blowing your mind with breakthroughs in evolution, neuroscience, and even throwing in some politics and technology for good measure. I mean, who knew evolution could be this cool? Wood's writing isn't just for the science nerds; it's for anyone who wants to peek into the future and figure out whether we're headed for extinction or interstellar adventures. Trust me, after reading this, you'll never look at evolution—or AI—the same way again.

This is an interesting book, but the claims made in the text are pseudoscientific and unsupported. The lack of citation to the literature of evolutionary biology is a major issue that minimizes the credibility and usefulness of this work. Further, due to the lack of citations, one has to consider the possibility that the work is riddled with plagiarism. The basic premise that natural selection will be phased out in favor of artificial selection of (or by?) artificial life forms has been explored by science fiction authors (e.g. Philip K Dick). I do appreciate the author's interdisciplinary foray into ancient Greek mythology and philosophy, 19th century scientific discovery, and currently emerging and potentially disruptive technologies. While I share the concerns of the author around emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, I advise readers to look elsewhere for insight into disruptive technologies and management of risk. Despite the faults, I gave three stars because the book is entertaining and provides abundant material for reflection and further exploration... whether into the social sciences or speculative fiction.