Sometimes it takes me a bit longer than others to discover things. Not that this bothers me, mind you. I happen to be perfectly comfortable with my ways; they make me feel as though I’m never rushing into things unwisely. One of the things that most everyone else seems to have long known that I’ve discovered for myself only recently is the electronic Chautauqua known as the TED Talk. TED, for those of you who may also be new to the term used in this manner, stands for “Technology, Entertainment, Design.” TED is an annual gathering, held first in 1984, that “brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).”

One of the things done by TED is the bestowal of the TED Prize, being specifically $100,000 plus “One Wish to Change the World.” In 2007, the three recipients of this prize were former U.S. President William J. Clinton, photojournalist James Nachtwey, and a man who stands as perhaps one of the world’s greatest living thinkers – the eminent biologist E.O. Wilson. I have been an ardent admirer of the work of Dr. Wilson since I was first made aware of his writings more years ago than I care to admit. He is one of those rare human beings who although having spent decades seeking to understand many of the the mysteries of nature continues to retain the ability to communicate his discoveries to the “common man” (myself very much included). Thus I was overjoyed to be able to view and hear the presentation he delivered, and the wish he made, to the assembled TED audience. (Please be aware that while Dr. Wilson is a soft-spoken man, the opening sequence created by the media team of TED is quite loud so upon beginning to play it you’ll want immediately to lower the volume through the introduction.)

Fortunately, the fulfillment of Dr. Wilson’s wish has begun. The Encyclopedia of Life is online, as it its associated blog so any and all interested can keep up with the developments of the project as a whole. However, as Dr. Wilson so clearly indicated in his speech, there is still so very much we do not yet know. Therefor it is incumbent upon us all, especially those of us calling ourselves naturalists, to do what we can to continue the expansion of the collected knowledge recorded in the electronic pages of this extraordinary encyclopedia.