This sounds great. I really enjoy Stephen Jay Gould essays. I'm a lawyer and was first turned on to him in an obscure legal opinion that quotes and analogizes from his "A Fox Terrier Comes To Court" essay, essentially about how small initial mistakes/assumption can be thoughtless echoed, take on a life of their own, and grow into entrenched misconceptions that can be difficult to uproot.
Hahaha, I am familiar with that essay, David! I used to pull Gould’s essays for extensions when I taught science. He had such a wide range of interests. Hope your week starts out well. Best, Jack
Haha, serendipity, Brandon. Wilson has several excellent books. Biophilia is probably the best introduction to his thinking and style. The Diversity of Life and Consilience are more capstones to his work. Do you have any natural historians that you enjoy reading from? Hope your weekend is going well. Cheers, Jack
I started his book sociobiology but started drawing parallels myself to human nature. I couldnt resist it, it was too tempting. Then I came across human nature book by him, my god what a book. I am sure you have come across it, love to hear your thoughts about that one. Wilson also has a way of expressing his insights and ideas in a way as if he was having a conversation with us. Nice shirt by the way.
Thanks! Wilson was sort of a one-off in terms of writing about sociobiology. His book Consilience had a profound impact on my thinking when I first encountered it, and I try to return to his writing every few years to keep his thoughts and questions in orbit around my mind. Sociobiology was a later read for me, but I learned so much from it. Glad to find another reader who has been thinking around these terms. Cheers, Jack
Thanks for that recommendation, Jacob! I’ve read several books and stories from Calvino but never that one. I hope you had a great start to this week. Cheers, Jack
We just saw E O Wilson on the 'News looks back on the year's celebrity deaths' clip and my dad knew about E O Wilson and his ant research...I did not! Sounds like an interesting mindset to absorb a little from...
He is great, Margaret. I’m glad your dad recognized him. I sort of stumbled upon his writing in my mid-twenties and have enjoyed learning about the different facets of biology and the mind that Wilson explored. Hope you’re off to a great start this year! Cheers, Jack
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Wilson’s “Anthill” it wasn’t at all what I was expecting when I read it which probably made me like even more. Also, strong work on throwing Wilson, Gould, and Eiseley together in one video. Must much YouTubing indeed. I read Eiseley’s “The Invisible Pyramid” in high school and I don’t think I’ve read anything else by him. Gotta look into that
Thanks, John. I suspect Anthill is coming soon. I had heard high praise for Eiseley, but what I found in his writing surpassed even that expectation. I hope you and your family are having a wonderful start to this year! Would you be up for reading Eco’s History of Beauty sometime this spring? Maybe April? Cheers, Jack
This sounds great. I really enjoy Stephen Jay Gould essays. I'm a lawyer and was first turned on to him in an obscure legal opinion that quotes and analogizes from his "A Fox Terrier Comes To Court" essay, essentially about how small initial mistakes/assumption can be thoughtless echoed, take on a life of their own, and grow into entrenched misconceptions that can be difficult to uproot.
Hahaha, I am familiar with that essay, David! I used to pull Gould’s essays for extensions when I taught science. He had such a wide range of interests. Hope your week starts out well.
Best, Jack
SO somehow I never heard of EO Wilson until last week and then bam sure enough here this is. This book sounds perfect! adding it now.
Haha, serendipity, Brandon. Wilson has several excellent books. Biophilia is probably the best introduction to his thinking and style. The Diversity of Life and Consilience are more capstones to his work. Do you have any natural historians that you enjoy reading from? Hope your weekend is going well.
Cheers, Jack
@@ramblingraconteur1616 Not that Ive read more than one or two works. Every book I have found on any related topics has been happenstance.
Great intro into this author. Thanks
Happy to share, Brian. Hope all of you are doing better today.
I started his book sociobiology but started drawing parallels myself to human nature. I couldnt resist it, it was too tempting. Then I came across human nature book by him, my god what a book. I am sure you have come across it, love to hear your thoughts about that one.
Wilson also has a way of expressing his insights and ideas in a way as if he was having a conversation with us.
Nice shirt by the way.
Thanks! Wilson was sort of a one-off in terms of writing about sociobiology. His book Consilience had a profound impact on my thinking when I first encountered it, and I try to return to his writing every few years to keep his thoughts and questions in orbit around my mind. Sociobiology was a later read for me, but I learned so much from it. Glad to find another reader who has been thinking around these terms.
Cheers, Jack
Another fantastic ant story: The Argentine Ants by Italo Calvino! Thank you for the always thoughtful and articulate content!
Thanks for that recommendation, Jacob! I’ve read several books and stories from Calvino but never that one. I hope you had a great start to this week.
Cheers, Jack
We just saw E O Wilson on the 'News looks back on the year's celebrity deaths' clip and my dad knew about E O Wilson and his ant research...I did not! Sounds like an interesting mindset to absorb a little from...
He is great, Margaret. I’m glad your dad recognized him. I sort of stumbled upon his writing in my mid-twenties and have enjoyed learning about the different facets of biology and the mind that Wilson explored. Hope you’re off to a great start this year!
Cheers, Jack
I just snapped up a copy of World of Wonders, so that seems to be in the same niche? I do love to use the #buywonder 🤗
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Wilson’s “Anthill” it wasn’t at all what I was expecting when I read it which probably made me like even more. Also, strong work on throwing Wilson, Gould, and Eiseley together in one video. Must much YouTubing indeed. I read Eiseley’s “The Invisible Pyramid” in high school and I don’t think I’ve read anything else by him. Gotta look into that
Thanks, John. I suspect Anthill is coming soon. I had heard high praise for Eiseley, but what I found in his writing surpassed even that expectation. I hope you and your family are having a wonderful start to this year!
Would you be up for reading Eco’s History of Beauty sometime this spring? Maybe April?
Cheers, Jack