Fish Don't Exist is a masterful blend of biography, memoir, and scientific adventure to take readers on a journey of discovery about loss, love, and the hidden order of life.
故事的核心人物是大衛·斯塔爾·喬丹，他是斯坦福大學的建校校長，也是一位傑出的分類學家。喬丹執著於給自然世界帶來秩序，在魚類分類學領域取得了卓越的成就，發現了當時人類已知魚類的近五分之一。然而，他的研究之路充滿了坎坷與挑戰。他收藏的標本先後遭遇了閃電、大火等災難，每一次都給他帶來沉重的打擊。但最為毀滅性的打擊發生在 1906 年的三藩市地震，那場地震讓近千個裝著魚標本的易碎玻璃罐墜落在地，他畢生的收藏瞬間毀於一旦。
Faced with such a desperate situation, most people may choose to give up and succumb to despair. But Jordan showed amazing perseverance and determination. He examined the wreckage at his feet, found the first fish he identified, and began to confidently rebuild his collection by sewing the tag onto the fish with a sewing needle. This act of rebuilding order in the midst of chaos not only reflects Jordan's dedication and love for science, but also becomes a symbol of the power of persevering in faith in the face of adversity.
When author Lulu Miller heard Jordan's anecdote, she initially dismissed it as a cautionary tale of arrogance or refusal to accept reality. But as her own life slowly unravels, she becomes curious about David and digs deeper into his life. As she learned more about Jordan, so did Miller's understanding of history, morality, and the world beneath her feet.
This book is not just about Jordan, Miller also incorporates his own personal experiences and reflections. She shared with readers her confusion, pain, and search for meaning in her upbringing. Her father had told her that "life has no meaning and it doesn't matter", which left her feeling lost and confused at a young age. Growing up, she also experienced many setbacks, such as tension in the family atmosphere and exclusion at school. Through the exploration of Jordan's story, she gradually found a resonance with her own life and began to re-examine the meaning of life.
In addition, "Fish Don't Exist" explores the nature of scientific classification and the role of science in society. The book mentions that from the perspective of biological evolution, the classification of "fish" does not actually exist, and many organisms that we consider to be "fish" need to be grouped with other organisms from the perspective of "class". This view breaks with the traditional understanding of taxonomy and reminds us that even seemingly solid scientific knowledge can be based on incomplete or biased foundations. At the same time, Jordan's eugenics theory has also triggered people's thinking about the misuse of science.
"The Fish Don't Exist" is a book full of depth and substance. It uses Jordan's story as a clue to lead readers to think about the meaning of life, the nature of science, and the place of humanity in a chaotic world. It tells us that the world is full of uncertainty and chaos, but we can be like Jordan and hold on to our faith in the face of adversity and find our own order. This book not only has scientific value and historical significance, but also can bring readers spiritual enlightenment and thinking about life, and is a masterpiece worth reading and rereading.