Forest

The analogy that proves the importance of having all kinds of people with various personality and opinion in a big organization – or in a society – is simple: Although it is entirely acceptable to have all members of a beehive or anthill to think and act unanimously, it would be a different ball game if you are in charge of a forest. You need plants and animals of all kinds; some high up to catch the sunlight, others provide juicy leaves and sweat fruit for rodents that could not climb tree; some spread pollens from one side of the forest to another, some clean up the body of dead animals. Yes, some species are more abundant than the others, but it is alright to be uncommon – because rarity is common, and every distinct species has its own unique role in the system. No species is really indispensable because their ecologic role could easily be taken up by one or several other creatures, but everyone is worthwhile for preservation.

And, if you have to follow the trend obsessively and allow only the most popular type of plant or animal to prosper, you turn the forest into a farm. Yes, it boosts up the productivity. But, nonetheless, it is not how the god creates this world.

Go read The Importance of Being Rare by Kevin Gaston, in the 5 July 2012 issue of Nature.