Chelsea sent me this (i think, trite, and mis-representative) nytimes article about E.O. Wilson, a biologist/activist/writer i admire tremendously. having established himself in the scientific community as a leading expert in the fields of evolution, ecology, myrmecology, and "sociobiology," a branch of biology conceived and established by wilson, he has proceeded to become a self-proclaimed spokesperson for biodiversity and conservation. lately, he has also spearheaded a project of staggering scale: the encyclopedia of life.
you'd think that one person couldn't rack up any more life accomplishments, but lo and behold: wilson delves into fiction-writing and plans to apply his hypothesis of group-selection for eusocial insects to human behavior and evolution of human societies. topics like morality, religion, and altruism are almost never easily and satisfactorily tackled, and for a biologist to do it, the process may be be equally cumbersome. however, new angles are always worthy considerations, and if not plausible or convincing, they are certainly intriguing. i see both group-selection and the individual, selfish gene at play. i think morality and altruism are outcomes of individual selection, but have proliferated and rooted itself in societies as a result of group-selection. i see it as positive feedback that can only loop in a sort of proto-"society."
a part of me wishes that he'd stop trying to churn out Pulitzer prize winners at his age. however, though senile and a bit looney, e.o. wilson is still my hero.
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I didn't know you had a blog Grace! Too bad the article wasn't good. : ) I will admit that I often don't screen articles I send to people, but rather judge the content off of the title and first couple lines alone. But hey, at least they were publishing stuff about ants!
Anyhow, let me know the next time you're on campus. And you should of course come and visit with Mike, Andrew and Rebecca are here! Also, I *may* be house-sitting for Hazlett in a few weeks, in which case I plan on having a few dinner parties, to which you will most definitely be invited!
Take care,
Chelsea
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