TL;DR

Veritasium’s latest deep dive into evolution kicks off with a surprisingly relatable question—why does poop stink?—and then backtracks all the way to life’s beginnings, breaking down gene mutations, how natural selection really works, what traits actually get passed on (hello, kin selection!), and why Richard Dawkins’ “Selfish Gene” fits into the picture.

Along the way you’ll see simple evolution simulations, hear from top biologists (Szostak, Sutherland, Masel, Joyce) and get a cheeky reminder that, yes, we’re basically running a giant genetic simulation. It’s science made fun, mind-blowing, and accessible—even if you thought you already “got” evolution.

Watch on YouTube