by Elio
Book Cover
This is the 10th anniversary of this blog, perhaps noteworthy because, as I say, "blog years are like dog years." In celebration, a book has just been published by the American Society for Microbiology Press entitled "In the Company of Microbes: Ten Years of Small Things Considered." The book consists of pieces I chose from among the blog’s 1000+ posts. Most are essays, reminiscences, personal reflections. I avoided purely scientific articles because, for all their value, they are more likely to lose their timeliness and may lack a general appeal. About half the articles were written by others, including notable microbiologists. Here are also a number of Talmudic Questions, one of the features of this blog. It is illustrated with microbial-looking doodles by my artist daughter Judith. The title borrows from that of a previous book of mine. I would like you to think of this book as an escapade through the world of microbes.
Speaking of anniversaries and birthdays, while Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 90th birthday the other day, I was more quietly celebrating mine. I am two years behind her. My number of years is divisible by 44 (but is not 132!), something that is not likely to recur, not unless, God forbid, we learn how to acquire immortality. Let me also state that I regard ancienity with some self-consciousness. Increased longevity, not just the birth rate, contributes to overpopulation. This being a grave concern of all thinking persons, I should acknowledge that my continuing tenancy exacts a price.
I thank my blog colleagues for their recent kind wishes. Nice of them to do it! But, then, they’re wonderful people.
Image included with the excerpt on the homepage:
Illustrations of cells, from the book, created by Judith Schaechter.
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