We took our seats at the cool dark lab tables, and I began to get even more anxious. There were only about 10 of us in the room and among such royalty at that. Thanks to Dr. Christopher Lynn and his Human Behavioral Ecology Research Group I was able to score VIP seats to a meet and greet with Harvard University’s internationally renowned biologist Dr. E. O. Wilson the night after his lecture, “The Social Conquest of Earth,” here at The University of Alabama.

Nonchalantly, he started that morning by telling a story of two not so interested biologists sitting around a teaching lounge, talking about what they would name their new department. If you can believe it, that was the day evolutionary biology was born.

Wilson said science is the key to all of life’s secrets, and science is in need of some serious tender love and care.

After reading his book “Creation,” it makes a lot more sense why he says this. The book is essentially a short and sweet letter to a pastor where Wilson asks for his help in uniting religion and science to preserve biodiversity across the globe. Just a simple request.

“Pastor we need your help,” Wilson wrote. “Half the species of plants and animals on Earth could be either gone or at least fated for early extinction by the end of the century.”

Wilson’s goal is to push science and young scientists to the edge and reverse the decline of a crucial scientific era. His next book, “Letters to a Young Scientist,” will do just that, but for now he was able to enlighten us with what he calls, “the three archetypes for a budding scientists.”

First, he says to hunt for the lost world; for Wilson, that was something he recently encountered within his field of study at the age of 82. Last year Wilson was able to take samples from a virgin forest in Gorongosa, Mozambique, something he’s wanted to do his whole life.

Second is to search for the Holy Grail. Specifically, your own Holy Grail, no matter where you are.

“There’s a grail in your field; there is always that something that everybody wants to know,” Wilson said.

The third is a little complicated: good vs. evil. Here, Wilson explains how these three archetypes will combine to create an authority. Scientists get to choose what they study and what they fight for; therein lies that grail. So, it is up to the budding scientists to choose whether or not they want to help humanity or just take it for granted. To Wilson, this is most important because the future lies within their hands.

“You can become an authority at a very young age if you run from the sound of guns,” Wilson said, demanding our attention at this point.

He explained how choosing a field of study just because it is easy or popular will not get you very far. As the leading authority on ants, Wilson was able to transition over to human evolution with ease, but opportunities like that do not happen to the masses. So, let’s travel the unbeaten path. Check.

His idea is to push each young scientist to imagination and open mindedness. Daydreaming is one thing he emphasized for all to do (Seriously, I have that down, especially in Spanish).

“Very bright people, in my opinion, they are often not innovators or creators,” Wilson said when talking about how 120 is the ideal IQ and incidentally three points shy of his own.

To him the stereotypical genius doesn’t have the hard work, passion and persistence that one needs to become a pioneer. Breezing through school is clearly not his idea of a victory.

“You’ve got to soldier on, and get the work done,” Wilson said.

Science needs innovators and creators, and Wilson’s calling has been to let the young know that today science can save the world, but only as long as there is still science left to go around.

Wilson chatted with us for a full two hours and at the end, complained about how short our gathering seemed. He listened patiently and advised wholeheartedly. I was moved to some serious critical thinking on life, followed by a “Roll Tide” from a fellow Bama native.

Touched by all his efforts, and the efforts of groups like HBERG, that are here every day pushing science to the next level, I was moved to write this article. Take a minute to appreciate the world around you, because you may never see it like this again.

“Don’t be afraid,” Wilson said in the end, “you are needed.”