NATURE: Silence of the Bees

[Boerseun]

This is real scary.

Was it Einstein who said if bees were to die out, he gives humanity around three to five years before they followed suit?

[modest]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

This is real scary.

Was it Einstein who said if bees were to die out, he gives humanity around three to five years before they followed suit?

Apparently so, but this doesn't sound like him:

Walter Haefeker, a member of the German Beekeepers Association, has been worried about the Western honeybee for many years. In a 2005 article, he quoted Albert Einstein: “If the bee disappeared off the face of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man” (Latsch). This winter, the bees started disappearing.

-The Science Creative Quarterly, The Last Cannary...

~modest

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

Was it Einstein who said if bees were to die out, he gives humanity around three to five years before they followed suit?

It seems that it's under debate. It appears that some of Einstein's biographers have been contacted in the matter and stated they were not familiar with anywhere supporting the idea that this comment came from him. This does not prove that he didn't say it, but it does indicate that it's less likely.

My searches have led me to conclude that a German beekeeping society of some sort a while back may have falsely attributed this quote to Al in order to bring greater weight to claims they made in a pamphlet of theirs.

[Boerseun]

Whether he said it or not is kinda moot, I guess. After all, he wasn't a biologist, so what would it matter if he said it or not?

But do you think there's any truth to it, regardless who said it?

I don't really think so. There are thousands of other species who're also bribed with nectar to deliver pollen.

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

But do you think there's any truth to it, regardless who said it?

I don't really think so. There are thousands of other species who're also bribed with nectar to deliver pollen.

As mentioned in the video I shared in the OP, they seem to be dying as well. It might not be as easy as you've implied for that very reason, but I do take your point.

[REASON]

I haven't had a chance to watch the video yet, but I was wondering if the rumor going around that the increase in mobile phone usage is linked in any way to this problem with the bees.

The notion was that the enormous increase in microwave transmissions is confusing the bees.

Somehow, I suspect this is just a myth.

[Pyrotex]

Originally Posted by REASON

...the increase in mobile phone usage is linked in any way to...

Mobile phones are the cause of:
ultra-conservative Republicans,
the inability to speak without saying "you know", "like", "uh",
children bragging that they can't do math,
the use of Viagra as a date drug among the 20-somethings,
parents home-schooling their kids,
the popularity of gas-guzzling SUVs,
the trend toward smaller cowboy hat sizes in Texas,
the deaths of Killer Whales at large aquarium parks,
and the belief in Intelligent Design.

But it has NOTHING to do with the disappearance of honey bees.

[REASON]

Originally Posted by Pyrotex

Mobile phones are the cause of:
ultra-conservative Republicans,
the inability to speak without saying "you know", "like", "uh",
children bragging that they can't do math,
the use of Viagra as a date drug among the 20-somethings,
parents home-schooling their kids,
the popularity of gas-guzzling SUVs,
the trend toward smaller cowboy hat sizes in Texas,
the deaths of Killer Whales at large aquarium parks,
and the belief in Intelligent Design.

But it has NOTHING to do with the disappearance of honey bees.

That's what I thought.

[Boerseun]

Originally Posted by Pyrotex

Mobile phones are the cause of:
...
the trend toward smaller cowboy hat sizes in Texas,

That needs URGENT attention!

[Pyrotex]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

:...That needs URGENT attention!

{sigh} It's too late Boerseun.

The "standard" John Wayne Ten Gallon Cowboy Hat (XXXL) no longer fits me at all. It's now the equivalent of what used to be a size 6 and 7/8 -- which is still six sizes larger than what is now called the "George W Bush Special".
They told me at the store that if I wanted a cowboy hat, it would have to be special ordered. I have a choice between only two styles: "horse trough" or "number two wash tub".