On Tue, 27 May 2003 17:43:23 +0000 (UTC), "Representative Trantis"
 wrote:

>Why is Gouldn't book such a "hard slog"?
> have had no problem with the works or Dawkins, however, he is well known
>for being able to explain things easily,
>
>Why is this book so difficult to read?
>
There are many possible explanations.  This is just one--

Gould was not writing for the general public, as he did with his
Natural History essays.  He was writing for posterity.  About 50 years
after Origin of Species came the discovery of chromosomes and genetics
and the origins of population genetics which completely revised the
foundations of evolutionary theory.  About 100 years after Origin of
Species came the "New Synthesis" which put evolution into the center
of biology (rather, it organized biology around the core of
evolution). Now, about 150 years after Origin of Species comes the
next revolution in evolution, the Gouldian Exposition which is
supposed to stand for the next 50 years.

That, plus his known arrogance and desire to showcase his erudition,
all makes for some hard slogging.
---
þ RIMEGate(tm)/RGXPost V1.14 at BBSWORLD * Info{at}bbsworld.com

---
 * RIMEGate(tm)V10.2áÿ* RelayNet(tm) NNTP Gateway * MoonDog BBS
 * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 5/28/03 2:57:06 PM