In Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything," there's a moment where Conway Morris expresses his astonishment at the vast diversity of life when he opens a new drawer filled with specimens. His exclamation, "Oh fuck, not another phylum," reflects the overwhelming complexity and variety in the collection, highlighting the extent of biological diversity that often goes unnoticed. This illustrates the rich tapestry of life on Earth and the continuous discoveries in the field of biology.
This reaction underscores the excitement and challenge that scientists face when exploring the natural world. It captures the sense of wonder that comes with uncovering new forms of life, and the realization that there is still so much we have yet to understand about the organisms that inhabit our planet. Bryson’s work emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the unending journey of exploration in science.