Aaron Antrim’s blog

After reading the last chapter first, “To What End?”:

Let me stay for starters that I appreciate E.O. Wilson’s perspective very much. He discusses world problems clearly and with persuasive factual support, often reinforcing his point by drawing analogies from medical science and common sense wisdom to put the importance of protecting biodiversity, reducing resource utilization, and curbing population growth in compelling light. His approach is in most ways an optimistic one, as he believes that systems can be changed from within, and that logic, reason, and science are tools to persuade and solve problems. It is interesting to note the differences between him and Wendell Berry, starting with the covers and jackets of their books. The cover of Citizenship Papers, a product of modern printing technology, has been made to imitate the product of much older printing technology. The typeface used on the cover is a slightly ragged serif font lending an old-fashioned feel. The background color of the jacket is a light ivory, suggesting old sepia-toned paper. The title itself has a historical ring to it, and calls up the tradition of citizenship.

The cover of Consilience, on the other hand, is a stark black and white, in an inverted white-on-black scheme (something in vogue among graphic designers). There is very little text on the cover compared, and it is all in a modern, clean sans-serif typeface, surrounded by a faintly embossed black circle suggesting geometric perfection. The entire effect is dramatic and even a little sinister. The title of the book itself is a rarely used word whose usage, while inspired by historical precedent, is also something new Wilson works at developing in the book.

The cover jacket photos on the two books are quite different. E.O. Wilson is posed in suit and tie in a library or office. In the background there are shelves of books. He appears confident and at ease, smiling congenially into the camera. Wendell Berry’s photo, while probably equally posed, is an attempt to appear candid. He is dressed as a “working man,” clothes in which he can both comfortably work with pens and papers in, and do some work out of doors should the need arise.

E.O. Wilson shows much more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of where we are as a planet. Wendell Berry shows greater reflection on his life, local landscape, and community, and he shares his passion for a way of life that promotes their improvement. Wendell Berry doesn’t write using a computer because of the energy they use whereas Edward Wilson drives a not-terribly-economical Volvo, because, he says, it’s practically mandatory for all Harvard profs. I appreciate both Berry’s and Wilson’s perspectives, and while I see the potential for disagreement between them, especially seeing as how Berry wrote Life is a Miracle as a point-by-point rebuttal against Consilience, I think both are necessary and should not be treated as mutually exclusive.

aaron :: Oct.23.2005 :: Inscape / Landscape class ::