@eric-dorfman
President & CEO of the Linda Hall Library & Arboretum. I write about science, history, books, leadership, and the odd cultural obsession. Institution-builder by day, essayist by night. Civil discourse encouraged.
The tapestry "Rabbit-Hunting with Ferrets" illustrates medieval cooperation with nature, highlighting ecological wisdom and partnerships essential for survival, while prompting modern reflections on sustainable practices and human-nature relationships. ericdorfman.com/2026/03/06/r...
Lion and Hippo illustration in Art Deco style
A viral story about a man killed by a hippo leads to ancient fables of scorpions, lions, and instinct. These tales reveal less about animals than about human fears, cultural distance from nature, and the myths modern societies still use to navigate uncertainty. ericdorfman.com/2026/02/18/h...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=e- Just did an interview with the with Michael Mackey for the KC Studio Magazine podcast
Blog post: Analysis of a once serious scientific suggestion that octopus intelligence is of extraterrestrial origin ericdorfman.com/2024/09/22/a...
Last night we hosted the wonderful Dava Sobel talking about her new biography of Marie Curie and the women who worked in the Curie lab over the years www.lindahall.org/about/
Thanks James, really appreciate it
Blog post: A Cedar Waxwing at my window becomes a personal reckoning with invisible glass, unintended design, and how modest, practical changes at home can spare countless birds unnecessary deaths. ericdorfman.com/2026/01/11/a...
Thanks Eric, looking forward to it
I write a blog about natural history, popular science, and leadership. This post is one of my post popular, exploring Caligula’s mental illnesses and the risks of absolute power. ericdorfman.com/2025/02/18/u...