Randolph Nesse
@randynesse.bsky.social
A founder of evolutionary medicine now trying to help psychiatry find its missing foundation in evolutionary biology.
Why can't we find specific genes and brain abnormalities that cause and define specific mood disorders? It is because, like heart and renal failure, mood disorders are failure modes of control systems that can have diverse causes.
🧪 @evmed.bsky.social
www.nessays.com/p/mood-disor...
🧪 @evmed.bsky.social
www.nessays.com/p/mood-disor...
September 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Why can't we find specific genes and brain abnormalities that cause and define specific mood disorders? It is because, like heart and renal failure, mood disorders are failure modes of control systems that can have diverse causes.
🧪 @evmed.bsky.social
www.nessays.com/p/mood-disor...
🧪 @evmed.bsky.social
www.nessays.com/p/mood-disor...
I will give 2 talks on evolutionary psychiatry in Tokyo on Sept 24 mentalhealth-unit.jp/plugin/blogs...
and 1 in Kyoto on the 25th.
ashbi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/event/eve...
I look forward to meeting Japanese colleagues.
@evmed.bsky.social @humbehevosoc.bsky.social 🧪 @evolmtg.bsky.social @evol
and 1 in Kyoto on the 25th.
ashbi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/event/eve...
I look forward to meeting Japanese colleagues.
@evmed.bsky.social @humbehevosoc.bsky.social 🧪 @evolmtg.bsky.social @evol
September 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I will give 2 talks on evolutionary psychiatry in Tokyo on Sept 24 mentalhealth-unit.jp/plugin/blogs...
and 1 in Kyoto on the 25th.
ashbi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/event/eve...
I look forward to meeting Japanese colleagues.
@evmed.bsky.social @humbehevosoc.bsky.social 🧪 @evolmtg.bsky.social @evol
and 1 in Kyoto on the 25th.
ashbi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/event/eve...
I look forward to meeting Japanese colleagues.
@evmed.bsky.social @humbehevosoc.bsky.social 🧪 @evolmtg.bsky.social @evol
Not perfectly clear about epistasis? The illustrations and formulas in my new Nessay should help. 🧪
@umehap.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social @vscooper.micropopbio.org @ent3c.bsky.social @arvidagren.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @eikofried.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/randynes...
@umehap.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social @vscooper.micropopbio.org @ent3c.bsky.social @arvidagren.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @eikofried.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/randynes...
September 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Not perfectly clear about epistasis? The illustrations and formulas in my new Nessay should help. 🧪
@umehap.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social @vscooper.micropopbio.org @ent3c.bsky.social @arvidagren.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @eikofried.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/randynes...
@umehap.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social @vscooper.micropopbio.org @ent3c.bsky.social @arvidagren.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @eikofried.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/randynes...
How amazing and wonderful that all 3 winners of this year's @ncse.bsky.social Friend of Darwin Award ncse.ngo/friend-darwi... are evolutionary medicine researchers! Katie Hinde @mammalssuck.bsky.social was one of the first faculty I recruited for the @cemasu.bsky.social at ASU.
June 6, 2025 at 10:50 PM
How amazing and wonderful that all 3 winners of this year's @ncse.bsky.social Friend of Darwin Award ncse.ngo/friend-darwi... are evolutionary medicine researchers! Katie Hinde @mammalssuck.bsky.social was one of the first faculty I recruited for the @cemasu.bsky.social at ASU.
Here is my Substack essay commenting on an article that reports a research project on foraging theory and ADHD that I have long wanted to see...but whose conclusion–that ADHD is an adaptation–seems to me to be inconsistent with evolutionary theory.
www.nessays.com/p/adhd-is-no...
www.nessays.com/p/adhd-is-no...
ADHD is not an adaptation
But foraging theory is crucial for understanding it
www.nessays.com
May 27, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Here is my Substack essay commenting on an article that reports a research project on foraging theory and ADHD that I have long wanted to see...but whose conclusion–that ADHD is an adaptation–seems to me to be inconsistent with evolutionary theory.
www.nessays.com/p/adhd-is-no...
www.nessays.com/p/adhd-is-no...
The Body is not a Machine open.substack.com/pub/randynes...
The Body is not a Machine
This post is adapted from my 2016 essay that inspired the 2025 PNAS Nexus article with Guru Madhavan and Jay Labov on the origins of failure in bodies and machines.
open.substack.com
May 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The Body is not a Machine open.substack.com/pub/randynes...
300 characters is often only a good start.
For longer essays on evolutionary medicine, psychiatry, and more, visit my new Substack at Nessays.com.
For longer essays on evolutionary medicine, psychiatry, and more, visit my new Substack at Nessays.com.
Nessays | Randolph Nesse | Substack
Randy Nesse's Essays on why evolution left us vulnerable to sickness, suffering, and simplistic thinking. Click to read Nessays, by Randolph Nesse, a Substack publication. Launched 3 days ago.
Nessays.com
May 21, 2025 at 9:35 PM
300 characters is often only a good start.
For longer essays on evolutionary medicine, psychiatry, and more, visit my new Substack at Nessays.com.
For longer essays on evolutionary medicine, psychiatry, and more, visit my new Substack at Nessays.com.
@awaisaftab.bsky.social is doing so much to help make psychiatry sensible. The questions he posed about #EvolutionaryPsychiatry helped me to get a better grasp of my own field! See the full version on his substack www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/why-did-ev...
May 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
@awaisaftab.bsky.social is doing so much to help make psychiatry sensible. The questions he posed about #EvolutionaryPsychiatry helped me to get a better grasp of my own field! See the full version on his substack www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/why-did-ev...
The essay by @awaisaftab.bsky.social does a fine job of describing how cliff-edge fitness functions may explain vulnerability to some diseases. For an accessible Psychology Today article on the topic, see the link below. www.researchgate.net/publication/...
May 11, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The essay by @awaisaftab.bsky.social does a fine job of describing how cliff-edge fitness functions may explain vulnerability to some diseases. For an accessible Psychology Today article on the topic, see the link below. www.researchgate.net/publication/...
A recent article about autism cites experts who say that its high heritability means that environmental factors are unimportant. That is a fundamental mistake. Environmental changes that influence entire populations can make previously neutral alleles deleterious.🧪
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
What Do We Know About the Causes of Autism?
Scientists who have dedicated their careers to studying autism remain highly skeptical that a definitive answer to what causes autism can be reached within a few short months — if at all.
www.medscape.com
May 9, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A recent article about autism cites experts who say that its high heritability means that environmental factors are unimportant. That is a fundamental mistake. Environmental changes that influence entire populations can make previously neutral alleles deleterious.🧪
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
An engineer, an educator, and an evolutionary biologist walk into a bar...(well, actually, we talked at @evmed.bsky.social meetings); today, 3 years later, our plans for a new bridge between engineering and medicine are published in @pnasnexus.org!
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
May 2, 2025 at 2:27 PM
An engineer, an educator, and an evolutionary biologist walk into a bar...(well, actually, we talked at @evmed.bsky.social meetings); today, 3 years later, our plans for a new bridge between engineering and medicine are published in @pnasnexus.org!
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Here is an insightful essay by
Rob Kurzban on the pressure to produce novel counterintuitive articles to get attention in academia. We need a name for false ones that spread fast.
Perhaps "#MemeArticles" is catchy enough to spread fast.
Rob Kurzban on the pressure to produce novel counterintuitive articles to get attention in academia. We need a name for false ones that spread fast.
Perhaps "#MemeArticles" is catchy enough to spread fast.
April 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Here is an insightful essay by
Rob Kurzban on the pressure to produce novel counterintuitive articles to get attention in academia. We need a name for false ones that spread fast.
Perhaps "#MemeArticles" is catchy enough to spread fast.
Rob Kurzban on the pressure to produce novel counterintuitive articles to get attention in academia. We need a name for false ones that spread fast.
Perhaps "#MemeArticles" is catchy enough to spread fast.
The best 2024 article about evolution, medicine and public health will win the $5000 Omenn Prize. Nominate an article now. It is easy. And the winner-and all of us- will REALLY appreciate it!
isemph.org/Omenn-Prize
🧪E. #EvMed @evmed.bsky.social @tricem.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social
isemph.org/Omenn-Prize
🧪E. #EvMed @evmed.bsky.social @tricem.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social
March 16, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The best 2024 article about evolution, medicine and public health will win the $5000 Omenn Prize. Nominate an article now. It is easy. And the winner-and all of us- will REALLY appreciate it!
isemph.org/Omenn-Prize
🧪E. #EvMed @evmed.bsky.social @tricem.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social
isemph.org/Omenn-Prize
🧪E. #EvMed @evmed.bsky.social @tricem.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social
#TacitCreationism is pervasive and problematic. Dan Stein and I explain why, and why it matters, in our just-published article. 1/3
@evmed.bsky.social @umehap.bsky.social ky.social @eikofried.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@evmed.bsky.social @umehap.bsky.social ky.social @eikofried.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
March 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
#TacitCreationism is pervasive and problematic. Dan Stein and I explain why, and why it matters, in our just-published article. 1/3
@evmed.bsky.social @umehap.bsky.social ky.social @eikofried.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@evmed.bsky.social @umehap.bsky.social ky.social @eikofried.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Really interesting ClubEvMed discussion with Dr. Paul Turke on Evolutionary Pediatrics on Wednesday at noon ET. Based on his new book Bringing Up Baby. All welcome. A great group! Free. Join us! @evmed.bsky.social 🧪 #evmed
duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Club Ev Med: Bringing Up Baby. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Club Ev Med: Bringing Up Baby. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
duke.zoom.us
March 4, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Really interesting ClubEvMed discussion with Dr. Paul Turke on Evolutionary Pediatrics on Wednesday at noon ET. Based on his new book Bringing Up Baby. All welcome. A great group! Free. Join us! @evmed.bsky.social 🧪 #evmed
duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
duke.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Some questions resist resolution.
-Mind vs. body
-Nature vs. nurture
-Free will vs. determinism
-Group selection vs. gene level selection.
Why?
I think it is because they get entangled in the cognitive and emotional hooks of our evolved minds.
1/5
-Mind vs. body
-Nature vs. nurture
-Free will vs. determinism
-Group selection vs. gene level selection.
Why?
I think it is because they get entangled in the cognitive and emotional hooks of our evolved minds.
1/5
February 13, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Some questions resist resolution.
-Mind vs. body
-Nature vs. nurture
-Free will vs. determinism
-Group selection vs. gene level selection.
Why?
I think it is because they get entangled in the cognitive and emotional hooks of our evolved minds.
1/5
-Mind vs. body
-Nature vs. nurture
-Free will vs. determinism
-Group selection vs. gene level selection.
Why?
I think it is because they get entangled in the cognitive and emotional hooks of our evolved minds.
1/5
Gems from pages 28-29 in Richard Lewontin’s 1974 book “The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change”
It is a common myth of science that scientists collect evidence about some issue and then by logic and "intuition" form what seems to them the most reasonable interpretation of the facts.
/4
It is a common myth of science that scientists collect evidence about some issue and then by logic and "intuition" form what seems to them the most reasonable interpretation of the facts.
/4
February 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Gems from pages 28-29 in Richard Lewontin’s 1974 book “The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change”
It is a common myth of science that scientists collect evidence about some issue and then by logic and "intuition" form what seems to them the most reasonable interpretation of the facts.
/4
It is a common myth of science that scientists collect evidence about some issue and then by logic and "intuition" form what seems to them the most reasonable interpretation of the facts.
/4
The chaos from Washington in the last week has made travel planning impossible for many scientists, so the International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health meeting is allowing submission of talk abstracts until Feb 28. 🧪 #EvMed @evmed.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social evmed.org
February 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM
The chaos from Washington in the last week has made travel planning impossible for many scientists, so the International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health meeting is allowing submission of talk abstracts until Feb 28. 🧪 #EvMed @evmed.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social evmed.org
This is the cutting edge for cancer research. It transcends the simplistic view that cancer cells just have bad genes. The surrounding tissues have strong effects on progression. #Evned #Cancer #ecology @jappliedecology.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social
Call for Papers: Exploring Eco-Evo Applications in Cancer.
This Special Issue aims to explore and cultivate the frontier between ecology and evolution and cancer. The lead editor is Jason Somarelli (Duke).
EMPH is the society journal of ISEMPH and I'm the EIC.
academic.oup.com/emph/pages/e...
This Special Issue aims to explore and cultivate the frontier between ecology and evolution and cancer. The lead editor is Jason Somarelli (Duke).
EMPH is the society journal of ISEMPH and I'm the EIC.
academic.oup.com/emph/pages/e...
Exploring Eco-Evo Applications In Cancer
Call for Papers
Cancers are essentially large communities of cells, and the individual members act and interact in complex ways. Long-established principles of
academic.oup.com
February 5, 2025 at 12:45 AM
This is the cutting edge for cancer research. It transcends the simplistic view that cancer cells just have bad genes. The surrounding tissues have strong effects on progression. #Evned #Cancer #ecology @jappliedecology.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social
It is fascinating and frustrating to see so many sophisticated Op-Ed authors trying to makes sense of Trump’s policies. But most of his actions arise not from any considered strategy but from wishful thinking, and, much worse, #WishfulActing.
@ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @nytimesoped.bsky.social
@ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @nytimesoped.bsky.social
February 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
It is fascinating and frustrating to see so many sophisticated Op-Ed authors trying to makes sense of Trump’s policies. But most of his actions arise not from any considered strategy but from wishful thinking, and, much worse, #WishfulActing.
@ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @nytimesoped.bsky.social
@ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @nytimesoped.bsky.social
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Nashville!
And to hearing some talks that look super.
And the food.
And I hear they have music there.
isemph.org
Our Tenth Annual Meeting! #evmed @evmed.bsky.social
And to hearing some talks that look super.
And the food.
And I hear they have music there.
isemph.org
Our Tenth Annual Meeting! #evmed @evmed.bsky.social
January 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Nashville!
And to hearing some talks that look super.
And the food.
And I hear they have music there.
isemph.org
Our Tenth Annual Meeting! #evmed @evmed.bsky.social
And to hearing some talks that look super.
And the food.
And I hear they have music there.
isemph.org
Our Tenth Annual Meeting! #evmed @evmed.bsky.social
So timely and welcome!
When times are tough I default to Vaclav Havel, on hope.
I think that our trust and belief in the value of science is similar. We are scientists because we believe it is the best way to discover anything lasting and durable, headwinds be damned.
I hope this quote is useful for you.
I think that our trust and belief in the value of science is similar. We are scientists because we believe it is the best way to discover anything lasting and durable, headwinds be damned.
I hope this quote is useful for you.
January 31, 2025 at 10:09 PM
So timely and welcome!
Nominations are open for the $5000 Omenn Prize for the best 2024 article in the area of evolution, medicine and public health. Nominate an article that you think deserves the prize. Including yours! @evmed.bsky.social
isemph.org/Omenn-Prize @sse-evolution.bsky.social @eseb.bsky.social #EvMed
isemph.org/Omenn-Prize @sse-evolution.bsky.social @eseb.bsky.social #EvMed
ISEMPH - Gilbert S. Omenn Prize
isemph.org
January 31, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Nominations are open for the $5000 Omenn Prize for the best 2024 article in the area of evolution, medicine and public health. Nominate an article that you think deserves the prize. Including yours! @evmed.bsky.social
isemph.org/Omenn-Prize @sse-evolution.bsky.social @eseb.bsky.social #EvMed
isemph.org/Omenn-Prize @sse-evolution.bsky.social @eseb.bsky.social #EvMed
The Abstract deadline is Feb 3 for the 10th annual meeting of the International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health in Nashville. All welcome, esp. students and clinicians. Full info at iemph.org Please repost #EvMed 🧪 @evmed.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social @eseb.bsky.social
January 25, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The Abstract deadline is Feb 3 for the 10th annual meeting of the International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health in Nashville. All welcome, esp. students and clinicians. Full info at iemph.org Please repost #EvMed 🧪 @evmed.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social @eseb.bsky.social
What a great honor and responsibility, Vaughn! I learned a lot from you when you were a TA in #EvMed classes I taught at U Mich! Vaughn has also just become the Editor of Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. Good combo! @sse-evolution.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social @paulturnerlab.bsky.social
I'm incredibly honored by this opportunity to serve as President-Elect of @asm.org starting this summer. Looking forward to working with the Board, ASM leadership ,and staff to help advance the microbial sciences. I'm also glad to share my Vision statement, please join us!
asm.org/Press-Releas...
asm.org/Press-Releas...
January 22, 2025 at 2:12 AM
What a great honor and responsibility, Vaughn! I learned a lot from you when you were a TA in #EvMed classes I taught at U Mich! Vaughn has also just become the Editor of Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. Good combo! @sse-evolution.bsky.social @evmed.bsky.social @paulturnerlab.bsky.social