In his book "A Short History of Nearly Everything," Bill Bryson reflects on the evolution of scientific understanding, particularly in fields like physics and microbiology. He highlights the idea that, similar to physics, modern biology has progressed to a stage where researchers can no longer rely solely on direct observation of phenomena. Instead, scientists must infer and interpret complex interactions that are not immediately visible.

Woese emphasizes that as scientific fields advance, the complexity of the subjects studied increases, requiring more sophisticated methods of analysis. This shift marks a significant change in how knowledge is acquired, as it moves from observation to interpretation, revealing deeper insights about the natural world.