John Tyler Bonner (1920–2019)

Bonner's argument in this long essay is essentially, the simpler the organism, the less role natural selection plays in evolution - randomness plays a much larger role. This is a very short essay on a topic sure to cause much debate in his field. I am not a biologist, but I believe Bonner has made a persuasive argument and look forward to the discoveries which will be made by those testing his thesis.

Small Book; Big Thoughts

Size matters.

It determines what any organism can do. Yet, size is relegated to the sidelines of scientific study. It is usually studied only as a corollary of another variable – speed, longevity or metabolism.

John Tyler Bonner, a retired Princeton biology professor, changes that. By examining stories from “Alice in Wonderland” to “Gulliver’s Travels” grants size its scientific due. In this well-written and easily-understood book, Bonner spans the giants show more and dwarfs of the human, animal and plant kingdoms. He explores the physics of size in biology, its evolution and its role in the function and longevity of living things.

Size rules all things: strength, surface, complexity, living processes and abundance. No endeavor escapes its tentacles.

It is a small wonder that Bonner addresses his subject in as lucid and conversant manner as he does in this small, but pointed and thought-provoking book.

Penned by the Pointed Pundit
November 10, 2006
8:56:31 PM show less

This should have been a concise, 10-page article. Instead it's a point against the scientists in the eternal battle of scientists-versus-writers-writing-science. This is an enthusiastic but woefully unedited ramble by a slime mold expert.

The Social Amoebae: The Biology of Cellular Slime Molds Rather short book about cellular slime molds.