Highest Rated Comments


bounty8012 karma

Huge fan here. I own and have read every book and every scientific publication you have written! A big thank you for dedicating your life to the sciences and raising awareness to the importance of conservation. Your books have changed the way I live life everyday - I can't walk anywhere without my head focused on the ground looking for ants. I have a number of questions!

I had the honor of meeting Bert Hölldobler and listening to him speak and asked him the same question. I'm a amateur myrmecologist who has spent a lot of his free time dedicating himself to the observation, rearing, and collecting of ants. Yet, I am also someone who chose a career path that lead me away from the natural sciences. My question, to make it more broad, is how do amateur scientists who have not followed the traditional academic path into the fields of research get involved into making an impact in their field of study? What can we do to contribute and further advance the collective knowledge base?

What was a personal scientific theory that you were certain of early in your career that later in your career you found to be completely false or off base?

What is the broad message that you want to send to the younger generation in regards to conservation and the importance of biodiversity?

What do you say to people that think global warming is a hoax?

What was the most amazing thing you observed in all of your years spent out in the field?

What was the greatest "aha!" moment of your career?

How often do you and Hölldobler still talk?

What is the "end game" for invasive species like Linepithema humile? Recent studies are showing lower populations in Austrailia and amateurs are reporting declines in Southern California and an increase in native species populations. Your thoughts?

What is your favorite ant? :) Oecophylla smaragdina (based on the number of their photo used in your books)?

Thank you for taking the time to respond!

Edit - how come returns aren't showing?

bounty802 karma

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