[MD] What Bo Doesn't Get

[Krimel]

Krimel
Even the platypus however difficult it was to classify finds its way into a
comfortable niche in the tree of life.

Andre:
Niche...a nation of 2? A platypus is an organic pattern of values!
Full stop!!

[Krimel]
Ever the grand example, the platypus. 

Ernest Rutherford once said, "Physics is the only real science. The rest are
just stamp collecting." That's a bit harsh, in my view. However, biological
taxonomy may have been the sort of thing he had in mind. 

The Tree of Life; it's the taxonomist's job is to hang each new species he
encounters on that tree in just the right place. Such scholars are as fussy
in this pursuit as a Macy's window designer at Christmas time. 

Critters are assigned to their place on the Tree of Life on the basis of the
traits they possess. Shells are traits; as are spines, feathers, gills,
claws, scales, breasts and sex. A species is a group of critters that have a
common set of traits. In fact you can think of a species as a "specific"
distribution of biological traits.

The platypus had a very peculiar distribution of traits. Rather than
appearing as a missing twig on a larger branch, a hidden and sparse new
branch was uncovered.

A year or so ago Stephen Colbert had a newly discovered species of spider
named after him. He earned this honor by expressing outrage because Neil
Young had a spider named after him. Finding new species of arachnid may be
exciting to some but hanging spider ornaments on the Tree of Life is not
challenging. New spiders as easily "assimilated" into the conceptual
structure of the Tree of Life.

The platypus could not be easily assimilated. It forced a conceptual
restructuring. The Tree of Life itself was forced to accommodate to the
platypus by thrusting out a new branch. 

It is much easier to assimilate than to accommodate. Assimilation fits. It
fills in details and enhances the resolution of our picture as leaves sprout
from twigs and branches. Accommodation is more difficult. It is necessitated
by flaws in the bigger picture. It means change; rethinking old premises and
adjustments in the way we do business. Static quality allows assimilation.
Dynamic quality demands accommodation. 

It is nice to caught by a catchy new tune or astounded at a curious new set
of traits. Frankly, I would rather trim the tree with spider ornaments than
hedge clippers. Both are part of the process growth and neither indicates
anything like total systems failure. 

To the contrary, they imply health.

Ever the grand example, the platypus.