Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Immortality or dominance is linked to biological reproduction and maintaining traits within a lineage.
In plain terms
Reproducing enough ensures survival of traits in the family.
What can you take from it?
Passing on traits ensures continuity.

Where it applies

  • genealogy
  • evolution
  • family planning

Putting it to work

  • preserve traits
  • ensure reproduction

Questions to consider

  • What traits do you want to preserve?
  • Is immortality worth the cost?

Another view

Biological dominance does not guarantee cultural or personal immortality.

More from Brian Aldiss

  1. Frank II liked Spain. Philip's capital was gayer, warmer, and more sanitary than London. It was intoxicating to enjoy the best of both courts. It proved also e…

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. Frank II had been back in the aptly named Mother Country for only a few months when a lady of his acquaintance presented him with Frank IV. Frank IV was a girl…

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. It was extraordinary to be in two places at once, doing two different things - extraordinary, but not confusing. He merely had two bodies which were as integra…

    Permalink to quote #24

Related quotes

  1. Films and gramophone records, music, books and buildings show clearly how vigorously a man's life and work go on after his death, whether we feel it or not, wh…

    Martin BormannMartin Bormann quote #2
  2. We, who are dying, are doing better, than they, who will live. For Crete doesn't need householders, she needs madmen like us. These madmen make Crete immortal.

    Nikos KazantzakisNikos Kazantzakis quote #6
  3. We were put here as witnesses to the miracle of life. We see the stars, and we want them. We are beholden to give back to the universe.... If we make landfall …

    Ray BradburyRay Bradbury quote #9