As scientists, we are trained to read papers, and lots of them.

We learn to scan abstracts, dissect methods, and critique results. Yet sometimes, stepping outside the narrow corridors of peer-reviewed literature can offer a much-needed breath of intellectual fresh air. That’s exactly what I found in Everything Evolves, the latest book by my colleague at UdeS: Mark Vellend.

Mark is known for his deep, deliberate thinking, what I see as a rare embodiment of “slow science.” In a profession where it’s easy to be swept away by the constant tide of tasks, deadlines, and metrics, Mark is my weekly reminder of the value of making space to think. Since arriving at Université de Sherbrooke, I’ve cherished the walks we’ve taken together along the trails of Mont Bellevue, where conversations about science and life unfold with ease. Like those lunch-hour strolls, his writing is not rushed, nor is it constrained by disciplinary boundaries. In Everything Evolves, he offers a conceptual framework that is both elegant and expansive: a generalized evolutionary theory that applies not only to biology, but also to culture, economics, technology, and beyond.

At the heart of the book is a metaphorical evolutionary soundboard, with four dials: variation, inheritance, movement, and differential success. These dials help us make sense of complex adaptive systems, from the distribution of sugar maple trees to the rise and fall of empires, from coral reefs to the dynamics of Coke vs. Pepsi. It’s a conceptual compass for navigating the messy, beautiful complexity of the world.

One of the more provocative ideas in Everything Evolves is Mark’s proposal to distinguish between what he calls First Science and Second Science. First Science refers to disciplines grounded in physicochemical laws, physics, chemistry, and parts of biology. Second Science, by contrast, encompasses fields that study complex adaptive systems shaped by evolutionary dynamics: ecology, economics, sociology, anthropology, and even artificial intelligence. These are systems where history, randomness, and feedback loops matter just as much as rules and equations.

Mark goes a step further and suggests that these Second Sciences deserve their own institutional home, a Faculty of Evolutionary Sciences. It’s a bold idea. Would reorganizing universities around conceptual foundations rather than traditional disciplines foster more meaningful collaboration? Could it help us break down the silos that often limit interdisciplinary thinking? Or is this just a thought experiment, a metaphorical nudge to remind us that the way we structure knowledge is itself a product of history and inertia?

Why Should Young Scientists Read This?

Because science is not just about data, it’s about ideas.

Reading books like Everything Evolves helps us:

• Think across disciplines: Evolutionary principles apply to ecosystems, economies, and even AI. Seeing these connections fosters creativity and innovation.
• Reflect on our role: As scientists, we’re not just technicians. We’re thinkers, interpreters, and sometimes storytellers. Books like this remind us of the bigger picture.
• Embrace abstraction: Concepts like hysteresis, drift, and adaptation are not just theoretical, they shape how we understand resilience, tipping points, and change.
• Challenge academic silos: Vellend’s idea of a “Second Science”, disciplines governed by evolutionary dynamics rather than physicochemical laws, invites us to rethink how universities are structured. What if we organized ourselves by conceptual kinship rather than historical convention?

Thinking Is Not a Luxury

In a world of metrics, deadlines, and publication pressure, taking time to think can feel indulgent. But it’s not. It’s essential. Reading conceptual books, especially those that blend science with philosophy, history, and personal reflection, helps us become better scientists and better humans.

In Everything Evolves, Mark doesn’t impose conclusions. He opens doors. He gives us space to ponder the role of community knowledge in innovation, the evolutionary roots of violence, and the dynamics of cooperation and competition. He even dares to ask how adaptation might apply to multiverses, not because it’s practical, but because it’s fascinating.

Final Thoughts

Everything Evolves is not just a book. It’s an invitation to think, to connect, to evolve.

For young scientists, especially those just beginning their academic journey, it’s a reminder that science is not just a career. It’s a way of seeing the world.

So read the papers. But also read the books.

Especially the ones that make you pause, reflect, and wonder.