Gadagkar, R (2009) A Review of - The lives of ants by Keller,L. and Gordon,E., Oxford University press, Oxford (2009). In: Myrmecological News, 13 . pp. 29-30.
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Abstract
KELLER, L. & GORDON, É. 2009: The lives of ants Translated from French by James GRIEVE Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, XI + 252 pp.; Hardback, ISBN13: 9780199541867, Price: £ 16.99 Scientists have a responsibility not only to inform the general public about what they discover or invent but indeed to engage the public in a discussion of what they do and how they do it. The more successful the scientist the more important this function becomes. Sadly, scientists are often loath to perform this function. The more successful the scientist, the more reluctant he / she is to "waste" time in engaging the public. There is often a negative peer pressure and social selection against those who venture to do so. "Have you retired from doing science?," "Have you run out of ideas?," "Are you running after quick fame?" are some of the frequent questions that are used to shy working scientists away from addressing the public or the press. There are of course notable exceptions – Richard Dawkins, Stephen J. Gould and Edward O. Wilson in our own field come to mind. But in my opinion that's not enough. I believe that most working scientists should spend part of their time explaining and discussing their work with a larger audience. There are at least three important reasons for this. One is that science needs to become an integral and essential part of society and not be perceived as an outside force that is at loggerheads with society. Second, scientists need to recruit the best young minds to make up the next generation and that can only happen if we devote time to communicate with the general public. Third, I have no doubt it will help us appreciate our own work better. And that is why I was so delighted when I received a copy of "The lives of ants" by Laurent KELLER and Élisabeth GORDON. Laurent KELLER is one of the most prolific and successful ant researchers active today and his willingness to devote time to inform and engage the general public is a most welcome sign. The least we can all do in return is to read the book and spread the word. I have done the first with pleasure and am now doing the second with no less pleasure.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Myrmecological News |
| Publisher: | The Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics |
| Additional Information: | copyright to this article belongs to The Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics |
| Keywords: | Book review, Lives of ants |
| Department/Centre: | Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Mar 2021 06:05 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Mar 2021 06:05 |
| URI: | http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/68307 |
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