E.O. Wilson is one of the world's preeminent scientists, conservationists, professors and advocates for "biodiversity", a word he is credited with its first usage.
Dr. Wilson has authored over 35 books and won two Pulitzer Prizes. And it all began with an insect found, with few exceptions, all over the world in rural, urban, suburban and developing places: the ant.
Of course, there are thousands of different species of ant (some yet to be discovered) that live in colonies of elegant social complexity.
"Dr. Wilson insisted on being called 'Ed', but I just couldn't," says Denny. "Here I was in Dr. Wilson's office and lab in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard and he wanted me to call him 'Ed'. Come on."
Dr. Wilson made his first academic breakthrough linking social behavior between ants and humans. He is the scientist who first studied biogeography, the geographical spread of species. According to Dr. Wilson, "We're running out of land. The two major challenges for the 21st century are to improve the economic situation of the majority and save as much of the planet as we can."
Denny adds, "all this talk seems daunting and may set one up to over-reach without understanding. Not true. His writing on social behavior and science is some of the most well-written, thought-provoking prose I have read, especially regarding the complex interaction and connectivity between humans and all other species."
Denny had arranged for a one-hour interview, to be mindful of the great man's time. "We were there for three hours. I asked some questions. He asked some questions. Dr. Wilson is a generous genius with courtly manners and unmatched curiosity."
E.O. Wilson's books can be found at any good bookstore.
Further reading on E.O. Wilson is also available at
Discover,
Esquire,
The New York Times and
Wired.
