Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

RIP: Stephen Jay Gould

Posted by chrisd on from the becoming-what-you-study dept.

gdyas writes: " Reuters reports that famed paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould has died today at age 60 of cancer. Famous for his many essays on natural history, modifications to Darwin's theories, and as the winner of the American Book Award for "The Mismeasure of Man", a history of intelligence testing, Gould was and remains a profound influence on biology." CNN also has a piece on him.

1 of 269 comments (clear)

  1. The world is a little darker by Walter+Wart · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Stephen Gould was that rarest of beasts - a cultured scientist who could make difficult, advanced concepts easy to grasp. He had a brilliant intellect, a witty and gentle sense of humor and an inspired gift for teaching and writing.

    Science, in fact all human culture is much poorer today. Sophia (the Hebrew spirit of wisdom) has turned her face from us. Why did he leave us so soon when we still need him to fight the good fight against igorance and superstition? When will we see one like him again?

    --
    The man who never alters his opinion is like the stagnant water and breeds Reptiles of the Mind -- William Blake