I met Dick Lewontin a few times circa age four. Somehow a lobster buoy found by my older brother in Gloucester was placed from the hanging lights above the conf

I met Dick Lewontin a few times circa age four. Somehow a lobster buoy found by my older brother in Gloucester was placed from the hanging lights above the conference table in his laboratory which eventually became a massive trash sculpture famously known throughout the scientific community in the late 70s until the fire department requested it removed for reasons. I remember being sad when I heard that news as I'm saddened by hearing of his passing now. I know how much he influenced my parents not just as scientists but as people. I've gone through my entire life thinking that there should be sculptures above every conference room table -- that particle board and fluorescent lights unadorned is drab. Now I'm wondering how much my drive to do things for the only reason that they are f&@king cool might have originally started being a toddler in his laboratory. Sad we lost one of the great original thinkers.