QuoteProject
Researchers keep identifying new species, but they have no idea about the life cycle of a given species or its other hosts. They cut open an animal and find a new species. Where did it come from? What effect does it have on its host? What is its next host? They don't know and they don't have time to find out, because there are too many other species waiting to be discovered and described.
Carl Zimmer
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Scientists often discover new species without fully understanding their biology or ecological roles.

This quote by Carl Zimmer highlights the challenges faced by researchers in the field of biology, particularly in the area of taxonomy and ecology. It emphasizes the rapid pace at which new species are being identified, yet points out the lack of understanding regarding their life cycles and interactions with other organisms. The urgency of discovery often overshadows the necessity of in-depth study, leading to gaps in knowledge about newly found species and their ecological significance.

Themes

SpeciesDiscoveryEcologyBiologyResearchKnowledge

In practice

Example use cases

In a biology conference, one might use this quote to stress the importance of understanding ecological interactions.

More from Carl Zimmer

At long last, we may be returning to the original two-sided sense of the word virus, which originally signified either a life-giving substance or a deadly venom. Viruses are indeed exquisitely deadly, but they have provided the world with some of its most important innovations. Creation and destruction join together once more.
Carl ZimmerRead

Similar quotes

This [climate change] is potentially so dangerous that we have to act strongly. Do we want to play Russian roulette with two bullets or one?
Nicholas SternRead
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.
John F. KennedyRead
In the long run, curiosity-driven research just works better... Real breakthroughs come from people focusing on what they're excited about.
Geoffrey HintonRead
Nothing is so dangerous to the progress of the human mind than to assume that our views of science are ultimate, that there are no mysteries in nature, that our triumphs are complete and that there are no new worlds to conquer.
Humphry DavyRead
We cannot even predict what kinds of emergent properties would appear when animals begin interacting as part of a brain-net. In theory, you could imagine that a combination of brains could provide solutions that individual brains cannot achieve by themselves.
Miguel NicolelisRead
If we want to travel into the future, we just need to go fast. Really fast. And I think the only way we're ever likely to do that is by going into space.
Stephen HawkingRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.