TL;DR

In this engaging Veritasium video, Derek Muller races through 4 billion years of evolution, starting with the surprisingly pungent question “Why does poop smell bad?” before tackling life’s origin, gene mutations, and computer-simulated evolution. Along the way you’ll learn how natural selection really works, what traits get passed down (and why your siblings matter), the ins and outs of kin selection, and the infamous “selfish gene” — all framed as parts of a grand biological simulation.

Featuring expert commentary from Dr. Jack Szostak, Dr. John Sutherland, Dr. Joanna Masel, and Dr. Gerald Joyce, plus shout-outs to Richard Dawkins’ Selfish Gene, the video mixes stunning animations, real-world footage (hello, emperor penguin chicks!), and hands-on demos like Snatoms molecular kits. It’s a fast-paced, fun crash course in evolutionary science—sponsored by Hostinger and packed with surprising insights.

Watch on YouTube