“Organisms [...] are directed and limited by their past. They must remain imperfect in their form and function, and to that extent unpredictable since they are not optimal machines. We cannot know their future with certainty, if only because a myriad of quirky functional shifts lie within the capacity of any feature, however well adapted to a present role.” IfsKnowsWellsPastFormLyingRolesCapacityMachinesFunctionCertaintyFeaturesImperfectOrganismsUnpredictableAdaptedQuirkyOptimal Book:Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes: Further Reflections in Natural History Source: Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes: Further Reflections in Natural History
“...Baltimore. It's imperfect. Boy, is it imperfect. And there are parts of its past that make you wince. It's not all marble steps and waitresses calling you 'hon,' you know. Racial strife in the sixties, the riots during the Civil War. F. Scott Fitzgerald said it was civilized and gay, rotted and polite. The terms are slightly anachronistic now, but I think he was essentially right.” ThinkingKnowsSaidWarPastTermStepsBoysCallingGayCivil WarCivilizedImperfectSixtyPoliteStrifeRiotMarbleWaitressBaltimoreWinceScott FitzgeraldDuring The Civil War Author:Laura Lippman
“Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.” YearsLastsPastMemoriesSilentHolidayThank GodImperfectNew YearLast YearLet It GoRecollectionNew Years EvePersianHappy New YearBest YearNew Year's ResolutionsNew Years ResolutionNew Year New BeginningLimboNew Year New StartHappy New Year EveNew Years Eve InspirationalHappy New Year InspirationalFunny Happy New YearNew Year WishesHappy New Year LoveNew Year New MeOld YearInspirational New YearNew Years Eve LoveHappy New Year WishesNew Years ToastFunny New YearsFunny New Years EveFunny New Years ResolutionNew Year FriendshipSpiritual New YearNew Year LifeYears Past Author:Brooks Atkinson