Edward Wilson
Edward Wilson
appreciation earth flying
Earth is a little-known planet. We have little appreciation for what we're doing. ... We are flying blind,
assume bullet carries circuits conscious exploded millions mind neural righteous safely
When the martyr's righteous forebrain is exploded by the executioner's bullet and his mind disintegrates, what then? Can we safely assume that all those millions of neural circuits will be reconstituted in an immaterial state, so the conscious mind carries on?
argument early fairly hit life natural opportunity questions saw selection splendid stage starting trace voyage
I saw it as a splendid opportunity to trace his intellectual development, starting with the voyage aboard the Beagle. He hit upon natural selection at a fairly early stage and his life was really one long argument about the questions it raised.
organism
The organism is only DNA's way of making more DNA.
absolute choose classify defined exist giants state
Giants exist as a state of mind. They are defined not as an absolute measurement but as a proportionality. . . . So giants can be real, even if adults do not choose to classify them as such.
known larger lived south
Here we are at the rheas. That's now known as Darwin's rhea, and it lived about 1,000 kilometers south of the larger variety.
existing four level planet present reach require technology
For every person in the world to reach the present U.S. level of consumption with existing technology would require four more planet earths.
aggression altruism applies behavior biology evolved great group help human propose societies strongly study understand warfare widespread
We propose this with great caution, ... The evidence, after all, only applies strongly to insects. Human altruism and tight-knit societies may well have evolved differently. But if it is true, it would help us understand the group aggression and warfare so widespread today. Those who study human biology and behavior should take a new look at this possibility.
blessed brilliant drove enemies energies great irony owe trace
Without a trace of irony I can say I have been blessed with brilliant enemies . . . I owe them a great debt, because they redoubled my energies and drove me in new directions.
bug children grew
Most children have a bug period, and I never grew out of mine.
nature optimist
I am an optimist by nature. But I have to admit, it's getting kind of scary.
activity decline equals human life rest
Human activity equals a decline of the rest of life on earth,
almost beings brain human information life literally mind process
Human beings live -- literally live, as if life is equated with the mind -- by symbols, particularly words, because the brain is constructed to process information almost exclusively in their terms.
among colonies growth higher lower rates workers
Colonies with lower relatedness among the workers often have higher growth and reproduction rates than those with higher relatedness,