Steve Mirsky of Scientific American came to my recent lecture at Stevens Institute of Technology about Microcosm: E. coli and the New Science of Life. He was equipped with a digital recorder, and now he’s posted a two-part podcast of my talk, introduced by a short chat we had about the book. Here’s part one, and here’s part two. And…here’s the book. You remember books, right? That information technology that came right after papyrus and right before neurodownloads? 

Originally published October 9, 2008. Copyright 2008 Carl Zimmer.

Remember that couple you knew, the ones who went out on a date and instantly fell in love, who had been together for years and seemed as happy together as the day they met, the ones who gave you hope that you might find your own true love, the ones who made you feel that there was joy to be found in the world? And remember how one day they suddenly called the whole thing off and pretty soon were seeing other people, leaving you confused and reeling?

I’ve been having the same experience with blood flukes.

Continue reading “Even Blood Flukes Get Divorced” →

The Boston Globe has set up an insanely beautiful feature called “The Big Picture.” Each week, they pick out a dozen or more stunning pictures on some topic and display them at huge size. The latest theme is “Earth From Above,” and the pictures are all from photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. I don’t know why, but this picture really spoke to me (click through for the full size shot). It’s a fresh expanse of lava in Iceland that has cooled down enough for moss and other organisms to colonize it. Life always finds a way. 

Originally published October 6, 2008. Copyright 2008 Carl Zimmer.

Conservation Magazine is a snazzy publication from the Society of Conservation Biology that sports some great writers and great graphics. I was pleased to be asked to contribute a piece about some of my favorite living things–parasites. In particular, I look at new research that shows just how integral parasites are to the well-being of ecosystems. It’s just come out in the latest issue. Check it out. 

Originally published October 4, 2008. Copyright 2008 Carl Zimmer.

Steve Mirsky at Science Talk, the podcast of Scientific American , interviewed me about my story on intelligence–in the middle of a bad cold. I think my intelligence was affected…Listen here. 

Originally published October 1, 2008. Copyright 2008 Carl Zimmer.