“Dear Mr. Derbyshire—You are absolutely right that biologists flock to the
gaps. I am a graduate student hoping to pursue evolution and paleontology.
My second week at school the command came down from on high to read and
literature and find a gap by 2 weeks hence. That gap would be the basis for
my thesis. If there were no gaps left, there would be nothing to research
and no need for scientists! So biologists must search for missing knowledge,
or else they will be grantless and idle. Of course, if something is really
obvious, they all hit upon it at the same time. For example, my professor
told me that there is going to soon be a glut of molecular biologists unable
to find jobs – since every undergrad was told what a new exciting field it
was, they all naturally pursued it.
“Thanks for your defenses at the Corner. I don’t think someone’s science
should have anything to do with their politics or religion, and when people
try to make the association it just makes it worse for everyone.”
“A Biologist”