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A review by venom
Letters to a Young Scientist by Edward O. Wilson
2.0
While interesting to read about E. O. Wilson's explorations and exploits as a field biologist, one can't help but get the impression that, despite his experience as well as unequivocal vital discoveries/additions to science, he seems to have a bit of a restrictive mind when it comes to giving advice.
The author appears to advise to a certain specific path to become a scientist, and specific behaviors a scientist "should/shouldn't" have, or things they probably "should/shouldn't" be into to become (more) successful, which I couldn't help but feel to be a limited way of thinking in such a broad field (a purported near necessity for being solitary, for example, and the sentiment in statements such as "Business entrepreneurs suffer when competitors beat them to the marketplace. Should we expect scientists to be different?" well, I, for one, do). Wilson also, while at first seeming to acknowledge the importance of humanities then, disappointingly, goes on to wave them aside, basically saying he's "heard it all" but how in the end biology reigns superior to the social sciences, which to me seems ludicrous for a biologist to say when human behavior so deeply affects the world we are a part of, including the smallest insects.
As many have pointed out, and as part of said demographic, this book should've more tellingly been marketed to aspiring biologists/entomologists in particular, as there isn't really much about other branches of science within it.
I agree with his sentiment of needing to be driven by passion and by curiosity, and, again, I did enjoy his reminiscings of new discoveries and groundwork (his excitability telling them felt contagious at times); but I ultimately just felt a certain disappointment by the end of the book.
(As a last note, and although not a criticism of the book in and of itself, I found the glorification of personal achievement and awards at the detriment of socialization and collective work to be a bit depressing in this field of work.)
The author appears to advise to a certain specific path to become a scientist, and specific behaviors a scientist "should/shouldn't" have, or things they probably "should/shouldn't" be into to become (more) successful, which I couldn't help but feel to be a limited way of thinking in such a broad field (a purported near necessity for being solitary, for example, and the sentiment in statements such as "Business entrepreneurs suffer when competitors beat them to the marketplace. Should we expect scientists to be different?" well, I, for one, do). Wilson also, while at first seeming to acknowledge the importance of humanities then, disappointingly, goes on to wave them aside, basically saying he's "heard it all" but how in the end biology reigns superior to the social sciences, which to me seems ludicrous for a biologist to say when human behavior so deeply affects the world we are a part of, including the smallest insects.
As many have pointed out, and as part of said demographic, this book should've more tellingly been marketed to aspiring biologists/entomologists in particular, as there isn't really much about other branches of science within it.
I agree with his sentiment of needing to be driven by passion and by curiosity, and, again, I did enjoy his reminiscings of new discoveries and groundwork (his excitability telling them felt contagious at times); but I ultimately just felt a certain disappointment by the end of the book.
(As a last note, and although not a criticism of the book in and of itself, I found the glorification of personal achievement and awards at the detriment of socialization and collective work to be a bit depressing in this field of work.)