It’s a wonderful example of coexistence that I found fascinating. Your illustration and Peter Marting’s photos support your writing so well. I like the ant apartment metaphor, what a great way to tell a scientific tale well!
I suppose one could argue that the "ecosphere" is a set of interlocking dependencies so tightly woven that at six degrees of separation the welfare of a cecropia colony of ants has some effect on my own well-being.
But that theory, although lovely, is likely wrong! I think such global interactions are lost in a signal to noise ratio that dampens out such direct effects beyond three degrees perhaps.
You are right about a lovely theory, but sadly, theories need verifiability by means of data, and as you pointed out, noise makes that nigh impossible. In biology, we smile broadly when we can show two degrees of separation.
Mutualism is addictive….and a charming way to live….
Yes co-evolution and mutualism are thought provoking subjects. I can’t read enough about them.
Ah, what a complex web you weave! I admire your ability to dive deeply.
Thanks, Dennis
It’s a wonderful example of coexistence that I found fascinating. Your illustration and Peter Marting’s photos support your writing so well. I like the ant apartment metaphor, what a great way to tell a scientific tale well!
I suppose one could argue that the "ecosphere" is a set of interlocking dependencies so tightly woven that at six degrees of separation the welfare of a cecropia colony of ants has some effect on my own well-being.
But that theory, although lovely, is likely wrong! I think such global interactions are lost in a signal to noise ratio that dampens out such direct effects beyond three degrees perhaps.
You are right about a lovely theory, but sadly, theories need verifiability by means of data, and as you pointed out, noise makes that nigh impossible. In biology, we smile broadly when we can show two degrees of separation.
Another example of the inter-connectedness of everything, that today's humans (Western? elite?) seem to be ignoring, at our peril.