Richard Dawkins one of the worlds most influential evolutionary biologists and authors probably often finds that his posts on social media, notably, Twitter, often inspire a different kind of discussion than the ones hes used to having.

Dawkins was formerly a professor at the University of Oxford, and is a well known public figure. Hes courted controversy in the past for his views on religion, particularly as hes an outspoken atheist, and has devoted much of his professional life towards promoting scientific thought and scientific reason. He joined Twitter in late 2013, and has since been a figurehead on the platform, particularly as many of his musings have attracted public criticism, with over 2.9 million followers.

Earlier this week, he posted a bizarre question on his Twitter.

'If lions were discovered weaving antelope-catching nets ten lion-lengths wide, it would be headline news.

Yet spiders weave intricate insect-catching nets hugely bigger than themselves, and we treat it as commonplace. Whats the difference?

Spider webs seem remarkable because they involve externally visible behaviour.

But is web-weaving really any more remarkable than the unseen weaving of cells in embryology?

Web-weaving is Extended Phenotype embryology: just another amazing route by which DNA weaves phenotypes.

Its not entirely clear where this thought came from or even if he was looking for genuine answers. But it did lead to a lively discussion on Twitter.

Some people tried to answer it seriously.

Of course, its not the most controversial thing that hes tweeted or even the funniest.

View post:
Richard Dawkins leaves everyone baffled with bizarre lion and spider conundrum - indy100