E.O. Wilson
American · 1929–2021
Biologist and naturalist who founded sociobiology, championed biodiversity conservation, and argued for the consilience of all knowledge — from the sciences to the humanities.
Wikipedia ↗“The one process now going on that will take millions of years to correct is the loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us.”
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“Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal.”
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“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.”
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“The love of complexity without reductionism makes art; the love of complexity with reductionism makes science.”
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“We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.”
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“The real problem of humanity is the following: We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology. And it is terrifically dangerous, and it is now approaching a point of crisis overall.”
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“You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. Aim high. Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. The world needs all you can give.”
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