Book Review/Science in the Media The Passion Principle

Daniel Simberloff* Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America

Several decades ago, as a young scien- Scouts how to handle (or, as it were, how tist, I often received advice from a not- not to handle) venomous snakes. Wilson as much-older Edward O. Wilson, especially a young ant enthusiast on the trail of the during many long days of field work on large primitive ant Daceton armigerum in small mangrove islands in Florida Bay. Surinam—these or any of several other Some of it was direct and explicit—what short narratives all give some insight into to do, what not to do. But most of the the underlying passion that he sees as the advice was indirect, delivered during single most crucial attribute of a good riveting discussions about what scientific scientist. Find the passion that grips you discoveries and developments really ad- and follow it, no matter training or lack of vanced a field and why some disciplines it, and don’t worry if it seems out of vogue. seemed to advance more rapidly than A second piece of advice is perhaps others, or about personal squabbles that more surprising—seek some area of may have even retarded science a bit, and science that is not in fashion. ‘‘If a subject certainly did not advance it. already is receiving a great deal of Now, as an old scientist, I am fascinated attention…stay away from the subject.’’ reading 20 letters that Wilson has penned He formalizes this as Principle Number specifically for young scientists. In many Three: ‘‘March away from the sound of ways he has been remarkably consistent guns. Observe the fray from a distance, with what he told me nearly 50 years ago and while you are at it, consider making in Florida Bay. The letters, each a chapter your own fray.’’ When Wilson discovered primarily addressing a specific topic, draw ants, not many myrmecologists occupied heavily from Wilson’s own remarkable the scene. Today myrmecology might not trajectory from a young boy in Alabama be a great choice, according to Principle obsessed with snakes and black widow Number Three, but one presumes that sufficient passion and creativity can allow Wilson EO (2013) Letters to a Young spiders to one of the world’s leading Scientist. New York: Liveright (W.W. biologists with enormous contributions in an exciting, rewarding career even in such Norton). 245 p. ISBN 978-0871403773 ecology, evolution, myrmecology, behav- a crowded field—as witness Corrie Saux (hardcover). US$21.95. ior, conservation, and biogeography. Moreau, Wilson’s last myrmecological doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001629.g001 Though the book is ostensibly for young doctoral student. He uses Moreau (now people, not-so-young people will also Assistant Curator at the Field Museum imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) exem- enjoy it and find much inspiration. Some and a leading expert on ant systematics) plifies this principle. His research on its chapters are clearly aimed at people about to exemplify another trait that he sees as behavior led Wilson to discoveries that Wilson’s age when he was exploring necessary for a successful career—enough helped shape the entire discipline of Alabama swamps in his quest to become self-confidence in one’s own ideas to sociobiology and made the species a classic an Eagle Scout. Others seem to target persevere in the face of obstacles and case study in chemical ecology. However, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, skepticism that others might put in your another part of Principle Number Five is and beginning faculty. Yet the book, with way. more surprising: ‘‘For every species or a style that transcends the ‘‘young adult’’ Less controversial might be Principle other entity or phenomenon, there exist genre, will engage any scientist. In fact, Number Five: ‘‘For every problem in a important problems for the solution of because of the autobiographical material, given discipline of science, there exists a which it is ideally suited.’’ Wilson relates the thoughtful insights, and a few bomb- species or other entity or phenomenon this aspect of the principle to the fact that, shells Wilson detonates along with way, ideal for its solution.’’ For Wilson, the red of several million species on earth, at most this book is difficult to put down. Those who have read his autobiogra- Citation: Simberloff D (2013) The Passion Principle. PLoS Biol 11(8): e1001629. doi:10.1371/journal.- phy, Naturalist [1], will recognize some of pbio.1001629 the vignettes Wilson has chosen as vehicles Published August 13, 2013 for his advice. But even for stories that are Copyright: ß 2013 Daniel Simberloff. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the well-known, he presents new interesting Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. details and often enlightening context. Wilson as a child chasing butterflies in Funding: The author received no specific funding for this work. Washington, D.C. and Alabama. Wilson Competing Interests: The author has declared that no competing interests exist. as a teenage herpetologist teaching Boy * E-mail: [email protected]

PLOS Biology | www.plosbiology.org 1 August 2013 | Volume 11 | Issue 8 | e1001629 a few dozen ‘‘model species’’ are really About the Author well-known, and he argues that studying an organism one loves intensely will likely Daniel Simberloff is Nancy Gore Hunger Professor of Environmental Studies at the yield interesting discoveries; it is the University of Tennessee. He studies ecological and evolutionary questions and is underlying passion that counts. This is especially interested in the causes and consequences of biological invasions. His exactly what he repeatedly told me as we new book Invasive Species: What Everyone Needs to Know (2013) follows The rocked in small boats or scrambled over Encyclopedia of Biological Invasions (2011), edited with Marcel Rejma´nek. His mangrove islands in Florida Bay so many website is http://eeb.bio.utk.edu/peopletwo/daniel-simberloff/. years ago. Many of Wilson’s admonitions are not at such a grand scale but are very impediment to a gratifying and important many mathematical models had little practical; this is particularly true of advice scientific career. It is this advice that has lasting value and can now be ignored, pitched to young faculty. I (and many of led to severe overt criticism in such public though it is possible that some served a my colleagues) certainly agree with ‘‘Avoid media as the the Huffington Post and Slate useful role in inspiring further thinking department-level administration beyond and to feverish concern among theoretical and data-gathering before being discard- thesis committee chairmanships if at all biologists in blogs, in discussion groups, ed. However, the statement and estimate fair and possible. Make excuses, dodge, and around proverbial water coolers. A are not really germane to Principle plead, trade…Consider carefully job offers close, calm read makes it clear that Number Two, which is convincing based from other universities or research institu- Wilson, in fact, did not write that math is on the rest of this letter and other letters in tions that include more research time and unimportant to biology, or to science. He the book and an appreciation of Wilson’s fewer teaching and administrative respon- is explicit that in certain sciences (e.g., accomplishments and modus operandi. sibilities.’’ Probably many field ecologists, much of physics and chemistry) facility in A letter on ‘‘Most Likely to Succeed’’ at least, would agree with ‘‘Real scientists advanced math is a sine qua non. What raises another contentious issue, ‘‘group- do not take vacations. They take field trips Wilson did write is that many great think,’’ the notion that bringing people or temporary research fellowships in other advances in biology can be achieved with together, especially people of somewhat institutions,’’ but maybe they would not fairly basic mathematics and that, if one different backgrounds, to mull over a admit this to their partners or children. wishes to tackle a problem requiring scientific problem or concept is likely to So far the various recommendations are greater mathematical skill than he or she lead to creative thinking. Wilson suggests in line with those a younger Wilson offered possesses, it is far more efficient to that, in his experience, the more creative to a younger me; I listened, and they have collaborate with a mathematician or thinking is usually associated with individ- served me well. But one piece of advice is math-minded biological colleague than to uals, not groups, and that these individuals rather different from the rest, or at least struggle to master the requisite math are often loners, oddballs, antiauthoritar- presented in a way and with such oneself. He even exemplifies this notion ians, introverts, and not voted most likely insistence that the message comes across with some of his own fruitful collabora- to succeed. Wilson sees the role for groups differently. This message, and an essay tions with mathematicians such as George of collaborators as much later in the based on this part of the book published in Oster and William Bossert and with process, after the idea has ‘‘hatched’’ and biologists such as (notably) Robert Mac- the Wall Street Journal [2], have aroused it is evident that various kinds of skills may Arthur and (less notably) me. In fact, much controversy. Wilson, a courtly and be needed to develop it further or to test it. Wilson codifies his point here in Principle genuinely kind person, seems to go Throughout the letters, Wilson clearly is Number Two: ‘‘For every scientist, wheth- through his scientific life generating great- thinking primarily of biologists, and prob- er (think sociobiology) or lesser (think er researcher, technologist, or teacher, of ably biologists working at the individual group selection) controversies, and he has whatever competence in mathematics, level or above—communities and ecosys- done it again. In the 1960s, Wilson felt so there exists a discipline in science for tems. He strives to address all scientists strongly about the importance of mathe- which that level of mathematical compe- and adds physical sciences to life sciences matics to biology that, as a faculty tence is enough to achieve excellence.’’ in various lists, but by virtue of his life’s member, he sat through undergraduate It is possible that mathematical theorists work and his longstanding interest in math courses to remedy his weak college are particularly thin-skinned and would biogeography and in the various unstudied and grad school math background. And he have reacted vehemently no matter how aspects of the earth’s biodiversity, he tends advised me at that time to continue to Wilson had phrased this message. Howev- pursue mathematics, including computer er, the impact is greater by virtue of his to focus heavily on examples and scenarios simulations, on the grounds that mathe- repeating it, sometimes in less nuanced that ring true to evolutionary ecologists matics had as much to offer biology as terms, at several points in the book and and students of various taxa. Mutatis chemistry did, and it was an under- because of his luminous stature in biology. mutandis, some apply well to other explored nexus (consistent with Principle In addition, some gratuitous remarks seem sciences. Others may transfer less readily. Number Three). almost designed to raise hackles: ‘‘The Nevertheless, any young scientist would Yet beginning with the second letter— annals of theoretical biology are clogged gain a lot from reading this book, and even ‘‘Mathematics’’—Wilson is at pains to tell with mathematical models that either can old scientists will find much to ponder, at least budding biologists that, if they be safely ignored or, that when tested, fail. both in relating Wilson’s dicta to their own cannot or do not want to learn mathe- Possibly no more than 10% have any evolution as scientists and in how they matics, not to worry, it will not be an lasting value.’’ There is little doubt that train the next generation.

References 1. Wilson EO (1994) Naturalist. Washington, DC: 2. Wilson EO (2013 April 6). Great scientist?good Island Press. New ed. 2006. at math. The Wall Street Journal; C2.

PLOS Biology | www.plosbiology.org 2 August 2013 | Volume 11 | Issue 8 | e1001629