Episode · Stuff You Should Know · 2026-02-17
Books mentioned on Selects: How Charles Darwin Worked | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
Josh Clark discussed An Essay on the Principle of Population by Thomas Malthus, Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation by Robert Chambers, and On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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An Essay on the Principle of Population
An Essay on the Principle of Population by Thomas Malthus is a foundational 1798 economic and demographic text arguing that population growth tends to outpace agricultural production, leading to inevitable resource scarcity and societal competition.
Discussed“Yeah, that was definitely um the book was called Essay on Principle of Population and that was like a super game changer”
Where to get it
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Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation
Discussed“In 1844, there was a book written called The Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation. It was published anonymously for 40 years.”
Where to get it
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On the Origin of Species
On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin is a foundational scientific text that outlines the theory of evolution by means of natural selection.
Discussed“First of all the official title of the book is On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life. Yeah. And that's why everybody calls it Origin of the Species.”
Where to get it
