BARRETT KLEIN: THE INSECT EPIPHANY
This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Nature Connection” Podcast features renowned entomologist and professor Barrett Klein, PhD who examines the phenomenon of how humans and insects relate on a cultural level in his new book, “THE INSECT EPIPHANY: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture.” Watch here in the YouTube player or download the episode on Podbean.
Our world would look very different if we didn’t have insects—not just because they’re pollinators who play a crucial role in our environments, but because they inspire so many aspects of our culture. “The spellbinding diversity of insects is complemented by a diversity of humans and cultures,” Klein says, resulting in boundless inspiration and innovation. THE INSECT EPIPHANY explores the ways we use insects’ bodies (for silk, pigments, food, medicine), how we try to recreate them (for flight technology, architecture, social structures), and how we mimic them (for fighting, yoga, music, fashion). Throughout the book, the enormous impact insects have had on our civilization is highlighted by over 100 images: from ancient etchings to avant-garde art, from bug-based meals to haute couture fashion, and everything in between.
“We can revel in knowing we are deeply connected to our multifarious and multifaceted neighbors. We can choose to celebrate insects, knowing that without them we would sacrifice significant aspects of our heritage, our humanity, and much of life as we know it.,” Klein says. Celebrating the myriad ways insects have inspired many aspects of what makes us human, THE INSECT EPIPHANY is a deeply insightful, utterly captivating, and surprisingly delightful love letter to bugs.
Barrett Klein investigates mysteries of sleep in societies of insects, creates entomo-art, and is ever on the search for curious connections that bind our lives with our six-legged allies. Barrett studied entomology at Cornell University and the University of Arizona, fabricated natural history exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History, worked with honeybees for his PhD at the University of Texas at Austin, and spearheaded the Pupating Lab at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. He celebrates biodiversity and the intersection of science and art and believes fully that embracing the beauty of insects can transform our lives and our world. More at https://www.pupating.org/
