 The idea that evolution by natural selection requires the existence of replicators has been a very useful heuristic in evolutionary biology, but also a way of motivating the application of an evolutionary thinking beyond the boundaries of evolutionary biology. We started by showing how the notion of gene can be abstracted away from its physical basis and characterized in purely informational terms. We then showed how Dawkins and Hull pursued this abstraction and attempted to free the gene from its biological substrate. This motivated responses both from proponents of the replicator concept, who furthered the abstraction, and also critics. As successful and inspiring as such an abstraction has been, it should not be reified: evolution by natural selection and adaptation can occur even in the absence of replicators. High fidelity certainly facilitates adaptive evolution, but this might be because replicators are themselves the product of evolution rather than necessary for it.