“Built Without Instructions: Why Evolution Creates Strange, Awkward… and Brilliant Creatures” — Lecture by Paleontologist Yaroslav Popov

“Built Without Instructions: Why Evolution Creates Strange, Awkward… and Brilliant Creatures” — Lecture by Paleontologist Yaroslav Popov

Evolution never had an instruction manual.

It didn't design humans, whales, or birds from scratch—it worked with what was already available, constantly adapting old structures to solve new challenges.

That's why our backs ache, wisdom teeth often don't have enough room, whales—despite being fully aquatic mammals—still retain traces of four-legged ancestors in their skeletons, and the jaw of an ancient reptile eventually evolved into part of the human ear.

During this lecture, we'll explore some of the most fascinating features of the animal kingdom—from the human hand to the panda's famous "sixth finger."

Together, we'll discover how and why evolution reshaped living organisms, learn how to find your own "inner fish," and uncover the "inner dinosaur" hidden inside every pigeon.

Speaker: Paleontologist Yaroslav Popov.