Speaking of evolution (see yesterday’s post “Evolution as Historical Fiction?” ) I think we’re all familiar with the term Darwinism.  But have you heard of Wallacism?  Nah, me neither. Probably because I just made it up.

Most of us automatically equate evolution with Charles Darwin, or Darwinism.  We do not equate it with his determined, humble, largely forgotten and charmingly generous friend A.R. Wallace.  In fact, most of us have never even heard of A.R. Wallace.  Or Wallacism.  Again, probably because I just made it up.

All the more reason to watch this quirky paper puppet animation celebrating Wallacism and the life and adventures of the other father of evolution.  That was the third reference to the term Wallacism which now makes it an officially coined phrase.  Maybe.  I don’t know if it actually works like that.  I just made that up. Sometimes it’s just easier to make things up than to go to the trouble of proving every little thing. Thankfully, Darwin and Wallace went to the trouble.  They did not deal in fiction or make things up.

Speaking of fiction and making things up, let’s hope Amazon has not lumped Darwin (and Wallace’s) The Origin of the Species into their prehistoric fiction category alongside Long Live Earth.  But if they did I hope it also made it into the top 100.  I think.  

BY FLORA LICHTMAN AND SHARON SHATTUCKNovember 4th, 2013 from the New York Times.