RP
Richard Preston
117quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Richard Preston is a renowned American science writer and journalist, best known for his work in the field of microbiology and infectious diseases.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on August 5, 1948, Richard Preston is still active in his career as a science writer and author.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Preston's nationality is American, and he has worked as both a journalist and an author throughout his career. He is particularly recognized for his work in the field of microbiology, where he has written extensively about emerging diseases and their potential impact on human populations.
Early Life and Background
Richard Preston grew up with an interest in science and literature, which would later influence his writing style and subject matter. Born to a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits, Preston was encouraged from an early age to explore his interests and develop his critical thinking skills. He attended Yale University, where he began to cultivate his passion for science journalism.
Major Accomplishments
Preston's work has been widely acclaimed for its accuracy and engaging storytelling style. His most notable contributions include:
The Hot Zone: This 1994 book tells the story of the Ebola virus and its outbreak in a primate research lab in Reston, Virginia. The book not only detailed the scientific aspects of the disease but also humanized the scientists who worked with it.
The Demon in the Freezer: Written in 2002, this book explores the world of smallpox and the efforts to eliminate it from existence.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to his books, Preston has written numerous articles for various publications, including The New Yorker and The Atlantic. His work often delves into emerging diseases and their potential impact on global health. He is also a respected commentator on science policy issues and has been interviewed by prominent media outlets such as NPR and CNN.
Impact and Legacy
Preston's writing has had a significant impact on the public's understanding of microbiology and infectious diseases. His ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience has earned him recognition within both the scientific community and the literary world.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Richard Preston is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Ability to translate complex science into engaging stories: Preston's writing style makes difficult scientific concepts understandable and interesting to readers from diverse backgrounds.
Commitment to public health awareness: Through his work, he has raised important questions about the preparedness of healthcare systems in the face of emerging diseases.
* Influence on popular culture: His books have been adapted into films and documentaries, further increasing their reach and impact.
Quotes by Richard Preston
Richard Preston's insights on:
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Viruses are the undead of the living world, the zombies of deep time. Nobody knows the origin of viruses – how they came into existence or when they appeared in the history of life on earth.
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It was as if his life’s work had slipped away unfinished before he had even been born. All he could find, at best, were a few remnants of a lost world.
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The hand is a symbol of humanity, part of what makes us human – the hand that carved the Parthenon, painted the hands of God and Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and wrote King Lear was the only hand that had known smallpox. That same hand had now given the disease to a monkey.
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A giant virus named the Mamavirus, which was discovered infecting amoebae that live in a water-cooling tower in Paris, gets infected by a small virus called the Sputnik. A Mamavirus particle with Sputnik disease is one sick virus – deformed and unable to replicate very well.
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The rain forest has its own defenses. The earth’s immune system, so to speak, has recognized the presence of the human species and is starting to kick in. The earth is attempting to rid itself of an infection by the human parasite. Perhaps AIDS is the first step in a natural process of clearance.
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Doctors generally consider smallpox to be the worst human disease. It is thought to have killed more people than any other infectious pathogen, including the Black Death of the Middle Ages. Epidemiologists think that smallpox killed roughly one billion people during its last hundred years of activity onearth.
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The emergence of AIDS, Ebola, and any number of other rain-forest agents appears to be a natural consequence of the ruin of the tropical biosphere.
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The coast redwood tree is an evergreen conifer and a member of the cypress family. It’s scientific name is Sequoia sempervirens. No one knows exactly when or where the redwood entered the history of life on earth, though it is an ancient kind of tree, and has come down to our world as an inheritance out of deep time.
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Lake of the Woods is asleep for the winter, but it is dreaming. Marie feels that she can hear the dreams of the lake running through the ice, like thoughts in a language we don’t know.
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