If ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, then children are somewhat closer to our roots as primates in the arboreal forest. Humans appear to be the only primates that I know of that are afraid of heights. All other primates, when they're scared, they run up a tree, where they feel safe. Richard Preston afraidarborealchild share on social
'First Light' is nonfiction, a true story about astronomers who are looking for light coming from the edge of the universe. It tells how science is really done - and science is a lot weirder and more human than most people realize. Richard Preston astronomercomeedge share on social
AIDS is the revenge of the rain forest. Richard Preston aidforestrain Change image and share on social
There may be a little bit of finger-pointing - there always is in a situation like this - but I think of Ebola as an act of nature. It's the biological equivalent of a tsunami, and yes, we are having trouble handling it. Richard Preston actbiologicalbite share on social
Green darners never attack people, but they have been seen bringing down hummingbirds. They are the Bengal tigers of the microworld. Richard Preston attackbengalbring Change image and share on social
If you want to survive Ebola, you need to be young. If you're in your late 30s, the death rate is about 80 percent, and if you're over 45, then the death rate goes up to about 90 percent. Richard Preston 30sdeathebola Change image and share on social
Redwood rainforest has five to 10 times the biomass - that's the sheer weight of living material - of, say, deep tropical rainforest in the Amazon basin. Richard Preston amazonbasinbiomass Change image and share on social
I happen to love science... Scientists are all slightly mad. There is truth in the stereotype of the mad scientist. They are mad with curiosity. Richard Preston curiosityhappenlove Change image and share on social
Though the redwoods in Muir Woods are hauntingly beautiful trees, they are relatively small and not very tall, at least for redwoods. Richard Preston beautifulhauntinglymuir Change image and share on social
'First Light' has gotten a reputation as a kind of cult classic about science. I never really intended it to be read as a science book, but books, like children, have a way of choosing their own friends. Richard Preston bookchildchoose share on social