Tag Archives: E.O. Wilson

The King of Ants

Posted on August 9, 2010 | 3 comments

This weekend I ran into this delightful video by NOVA about  E.O. Wilson, an entomologist, conservationist and one of my favorite humans ever. Wilson’s child-like enthusiasm for  ants has translated into a couple dozen books and a pile of prestigious awards, including 2 Pulitzer prizes and the 2007  TED prize.

Coincidentally I was also learned this weekend that he recently published a new book… a novel! In Anthill, warring ants function as commentary on the behavior of human society. Hmmm… sounds like another favorite book of mine, Watership Down.

E.O. Wilson is the reason why I clap in delight when I see a cool bug and why I protect scorpions from my silly freaked-out friends when we’re camping. Hopefully one day I’ll get to hear him lecture and shake his hand.

It’s good to have heroes.

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Posted in Nature, Science, Animals, Earth

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Happy Birthday, Darwin, darling!

Posted on February 12, 2009 | 6 comments

Today is the 200th birthday of the father of modern biology, Charles Darwin. Darwin introduced us to a new human  history. One in which humans are not divine creatures, created and chosen by god, but just another species of animal that evolved from a common ancestor. This, of course, was incredibly influential in how we view ourselves today. Hopefully, with Darwin’s help, we can fully realize the importance of other animals and help to preserve them instead of continuing on this path to an inhabitable world.

To aid in this realization, I’ve posted a few pics of some creatures that have evolved in very strange ways. I’ve spruced-up a few of the “less attractive” characters (to help them in the process of mate selection, of course). I think Chuck D would be proud.

Orchid Mantis

Orchid Mantis

Sperm Whale

Sperm Whale

Siamang

Siamang

Blobfish

Blobfish

Gerenuk

Gerenuk

Bald Uakari

Bald Uakari

Pygmy Seahorse

Pygmy Seahorse

I’d also like to recommend a wonderful book by one of my heroes, E.O. Wilson. The Creation: An appeal to save life on earth is a plea for the religious and scientific communities to find the common ground that will be imperative to breathing health back into our planet and stopping the mass extinction of plants and animals that is happening today.

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Posted in Nature, Science, Animals, Earth

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