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Biology Quote by Tom Robbins

“Nature is not infallible. Nature makes mistakes. That's what evolution is all about: growth by trail and error. Nature can be stupid and cruel. Oh, my, how cruel! That's okay. There's nothing wrong with Nature being dumb and ugly because it is simultaneously--paradoxically--brilliant and superb…” quote by Tom Robbins
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““Nature is not infallible. Nature makes mistakes. That's what evolution is all about: growth by trail and error. Nature can be stupid and cruel. Oh, my, how cruel! That's okay. There's nothing wrong with Nature being dumb and ugly because it is simultaneously--paradoxically--brilliant and superb. But to worship the natural at the exclusion of the unnatural is to practice Organic Fascism--which is what many of my pilgrims practice. And in the best tradition of fascism, they are totally intolerant of those who don't share their beliefs; thus, they foster the very kinds of antagonism and tension that lead to strife, which they, pacifists one and all, claim to abhor. To insist that a woman who paints berry juice on her lips is somehow superior to the woman who wears Revlon lipstick is sophistry; it's smug sophistical skunkshit. Lipstick is a chemical composition, so is berry juice, and they both are effective for decorating the face. If lipstick has advantages over berry juice then let us praise that part of technology that produced lipstick. The organic world is wonderful, bot the inorganic isn't bad, either. The world of plastic and artifice offers its share of magical surprises. A thing is good because it's good, not because it's natural. A thing is bad because it's bad, not because it's artificial. It's not a damn iota better to be bitten by a rattlesnake than shot by a gun.””

Tom Robbins

About This Quote

Source Book: Still Life with Woodpeckers by Tom Robbins, 1980

Nature is imperfect; both natural and artificial have value, and dogmatic reverence creates conflict.

In simple terms: Both natural and artificial can be good or bad.

Key Takeaway

Judge things by merit, not origin.

Themes

nature technology balance intolerance fascism

Mood

critical reflective analytical

Type

philosophical social commentary

When to use this quote

  • environmental policy
  • product design
  • personal ethics
  • debates on natural vs artificial

Key Concepts

evolutionary theory philosophy of value social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you assess value beyond natural/unnatural labels?
  • What biases affect your view of technology?
A Different Perspective

Idealizing nature can ignore its flaws and cause intolerance.

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