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E.O. Wilson has died

reuters.com

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Re: E.O. Wilson has died

#21

Post by ImaCake »

melling wrote: post #8

Richard Rhodes released his biography of E.O. Wilson a couple of months ago: https://www.amazon.com/Scientist-Wilson-Life-Nature/dp/03855... Rhodes is famous for this book, that’s often mentioned on HN Making of the Atomic Bomb: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1451677618/

I can vouch for the audiobook of the biography. It is a lovely read, although I would have liked for it to be longer and have more detail. Some of the technical biology explanations could have been done better, so that could be a barrier to those less well versed in biology.

Re: E.O. Wilson has died

#22

Post by nabla9 »

junon wrote: post #14

Never heard of E.O. Wilson before now, but his work sounds fascinating. Anyone have any suggestions on how to break into his stuff? Sounds like he has 30 or so books, is "On Human Nature" a good start?

Ants, sosiobiology and biodiversity conservation. I have only read "Sociobiology: The New Synthesis" (1975).

Be aware that Wilson's group selection theory is not generally accepted by other evolutionary biologists. Read about Wilsion-Dawkins kin selection vs. group arguments and debates.

ps. There are two Wilson's in the group selection side (David Sloan Wilson and E. O. Wilson) it's easy to mix them if you don't read carefully.

Re: E.O. Wilson has died

#24

Post by civilized »

Theizestooke wrote: post #20
wombatmobile wrote: post #18

"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos." — Edward O. Wilson

Both scenarios would cause upheaval, and I'm not sure what he means by a "rich state of equilibrium".

He means something that would be interesting for a biologist like him to hang out in and observe.

I know some biologists, and they often wish that the world should be "rich" from a biologist's perspective even if the biologist isn't there to observe it.

It's a curious perspective to me. If you don't exist, why would it matter whether the world is (a) green and buzzing with insects, or (b) reduced to grey goo or strange matter? Why would your aesthetic preferences be relevant in a world that you don't exist in? It's not like you're going to get to watch this universe through a viewport.

Re: E.O. Wilson has died

#25

Post by ahmedalsudani »

civilized wrote: post #24
Theizestooke wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Both scenarios would cause upheaval, and I'm not sure what he means by a "rich state of equilibrium".

He means something that would be interesting for a biologist like him to hang out in and observe. I know some biologists, and they often wish that the world should be "rich" from a biologist's perspective even if the biologist isn't there to observe it. It's a curious perspective to me. If you don't exist, why would it matter whether the world is (a) green and buzzing with insects, or (b) reduced to grey goo or stran…

We wouldn't survive for long without insects, and we'd notice the rot buildup in our environment very quickly without them.

It's not about "biology". It's about roles in the ecosystem.

Re: E.O. Wilson has died

#26

Post by civilized »

ahmedalsudani wrote: post #25
civilized wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He means something that would be interesting for a biologist like him to hang out in and observe. I know some biologists, and they often wish that the world should be "rich" from a biologist's perspective even if the biologist isn't there to observe it. It's a curious perspective to me. If you don't exist, why would it matter whether the world is (a) green and buzzing with insects, or (b) reduced to grey goo or stran…

We wouldn't survive for long without insects, and we'd notice the rot buildup in our environment very quickly without them. It's not about "biology". It's about roles in the ecosystem.

I'm not sure what you think you're responding to in my comment.

Re: E.O. Wilson has died

#27

Post by junon »

nabla9 wrote: post #22
junon wrote: post #14

Never heard of E.O. Wilson before now, but his work sounds fascinating. Anyone have any suggestions on how to break into his stuff? Sounds like he has 30 or so books, is "On Human Nature" a good start?

Ants, sosiobiology and biodiversity conservation. I have only read "Sociobiology: The New Synthesis" (1975). Be aware that Wilson's group selection theory is not generally accepted by other evolutionary biologists. Read about Wilsion-Dawkins kin selection vs. group arguments and debates. ps. There are two Wilson's in the group selection side (David Sloan Wilson and E. O. Wilson) it's easy to mix them if you don't rea…

Thank you :)

Re: E.O. Wilson has died

#28

Post by ahmedalsudani »

civilized wrote: post #26
ahmedalsudani wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We wouldn't survive for long without insects, and we'd notice the rot buildup in our environment very quickly without them. It's not about "biology". It's about roles in the ecosystem.

I'm not sure what you think you're responding to in my comment.

> I'm not sure what you think you're responding to in my comment.

A direct question would be easy to answer. As it is, I'm sorry to hear about your confusion :-)

Re: E.O. Wilson has died

#29

Post by [deleted] »

ahmedalsudani wrote: post #28
civilized wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure what you think you're responding to in my comment.

> I'm not sure what you think you're responding to in my comment. A direct question would be easy to answer. As it is, I'm sorry to hear about your confusion :-)

[deleted]
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