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Zimmer133.jpg Carl Zimmer is a science writer. PLEASE VISIT THE LOOM AT ITS NEW HOME.

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Microcosm: E. coli and the New Science of Life



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Revised with a new introduction





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« A Genetic Gastric Bypass | Main | Left and Right Agree on Microcosm! »

On the Microbial Road

Category: Microcosm: The Book
Posted on: May 17, 2008 7:20 PM, by Carl Zimmer

Blogging briefly from Chicago. Today's talk at the Field Museum went well--I managed to lure a fair number of people inside from a beautiful spring afternoon to hear me talk about a gut germ. I also had a chance to walk through the fabulous Shedd Aquarium. The Field Museum has an acquarium of its own--filled with 520 million year old creatures. They set up three gigantic screens on which they have a mind-blowing animation of Cambrian animals--slithering, flapping, wiggling, and looking quite alien. I found it mesmerizing. The animators have a movie you can watch online, but if you ever get a chance to see it in person, do so.

Yesterday's talk in Boston was also fun--and it was even blogged! But I must warn you--prepare for a picture of a serious geek.

Comments

#1

Hi Carl,

I'm glad to hear your talk was a hit -- thanks so much for the invitation, and I'm sorry that I couldn't get back to you in time to make it up to the museum. Since you were in my other fair city yesterday, I hope to have another chance to meet you soon!

Helenmary Sheridan

Posted by: Helenmary | May 17, 2008 8:43 PM

#2
...prepare for a picture of a serious geek.
Oh common-- Everyone has articles of clothing with microbes printed on them, and plush versions of their favorite pathogen...

... Right?

...... Right???

hehehehehe!

Posted by: ERV | May 17, 2008 8:49 PM

#3

I'm very proud to say that the Science Metropolis blog, which covered your talk in Boston, was developed by Joseph Caputo under my supervision as his Boston University professor. Sorry to have missed the talk myself, I had just returned to Paris for the summer.

Posted by: Michael Balter | May 18, 2008 7:48 AM

#4

Hey Carl,
This is your friend Ian from the days at Walt Disney publishing. Nice blog. I really enjoyed that link to the movie on Cambrian animals. I was always fascinated by the strange shapes and movements of those creatures.

Glad to see you're doing well. Hope to hear from you.

-Ian Berger

Posted by: Ian Berger | May 18, 2008 9:37 PM

#5

Following your talk, my son and I also wandered the museum and stopped to soak in that incredible video. We were only in Chicago for the afternoon, but we both agreed that we could have easily spent all day in the "Evolving Planet" exhibit.

(Oh, I enjoyed your talk, too ;-)

Posted by: Brett | May 19, 2008 12:51 AM

#6
Oh common-- Everyone has articles of clothing with microbes printed on them, and plush versions of their favorite pathogen...

Believe me, my constrained finances are the only reason I don't have an entire roomful of plush pathogens!

Posted by: Blake Stacey | May 19, 2008 5:10 PM

#7

By the way, thanks for signing my copy of Soul Made Flesh. I was the goofy guy in Cambridge who mentioned Life at Low Reynolds Number and asked how you found the people you interview.

Posted by: Blake Stacey | May 19, 2008 5:14 PM

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