If we just stay at the crest of the mycelial wave, it will take us into heretofore unknown territories that will be just magnificent in their implications.
Paul StametsRead
Mycologists are few and far between. We are under-funded, poorly represented in the context of other sciences - ironic, as the very foundation of our ecosystems are directly dependent upon fungi, which ultimately create the foundation of soils.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the critical role of mycologists in understanding ecosystems, even though they receive little recognition and support.
In this quote, Paul Stamets highlights the importance of mycologists, the scientists who study fungi, in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. He points out the irony that despite the essential role fungi play in soil health and, consequently, the support of various life forms, there is a lack of funding and representation for those who specialize in this vital field of study.
Themes
MycologyFungiEcosystemScienceSoil
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a scientific conference, one could use this quote to advocate for increased funding for mycology research.
More from Paul Stamets
All quotes →If you look on the fungal genome as being soldier candidates protecting the U.S. as our host defense, not only for the ecosystem but for our population... we should be saving our old-growth forests as a matter of national defense.
Paul StametsRead
Mushrooms are miniature pharmaceutical factories, and of the thousands of mushroom species in nature, our ancestors and modern scientists have identified several dozen that have a unique combination of talents that improve our health.
Paul StametsRead
The majority of modern medicines originate in nature. Although some mushrooms have been used in therapies for thousands of years, we are still discovering new potential medicines hidden within them.
Paul StametsRead
Fungi are the interface organisms between life and death.
Paul StametsRead
Similar quotes
An experiment is a question which science poses to Nature and a measurement is the recording of Nature's answer.
Max PlanckRead
Biologically inspired materials could revolutionize materials science. People looking at spider silk and abalone shells are looking for new ways to make materials better, cheaper, and with less toxic byproducts.
Janine BenyusRead
There is a great difference between discoveries and inventions. With discoveries, one can always be skeptical, and many surprises can take place. In the case of inventions, surprises can really only occur for people who have not had anything to do with it.
Werner HeisenbergRead
Creationist critics often charge that evolution cannot be tested, and therefore cannot be viewed as a properly scientific subject at all. This claim is rhetorical nonsense.
Stephen Jay GouldRead
But it will be found... that one universal law prevails in all these phenomena. Where two portions of the same light arrive in the eye by different routes, either exactly or very nearly in the same direction, the appearance or disappearance of various colours is determined by the greater or less difference in the lengths of the paths.
Thomas YoungRead
There are many who would much prefer that the word 'climate' never be mentioned and that the issue be eliminated from our national conversation.
Al GoreRead