The Evolution of Life: Big Bang to Space Colonies is a new book by longtime Morgan Hill resident Richard Anderson that explores the origin and future of life in space through a multidisciplinary lens.

A San Jose State University graduate with a master’s degree in microbiology, Anderson has written non-fiction science books for high school and college freshmen considering majoring in science. But the work reflects his lifelong curiosity about science, he wrote in a recent interview with the newspaper.

“The final section of the book projects society into possible futures in space and explores some of the obstacles to that contingency,” reads Anderson’s description of the book. “Overall, the work presents a thread of connection that stretches from the beginning of time into the future. The main theme of the section on human biological and social evolution is ecology. We look at how they are destroying our environment and some actions that lead to remediation.”

Anderson has lived in Morgan Hill for over 40 years. He retired from his career as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst and director.

A special edition of “The Evolution of Life: Big Bang to Space Colonies,” published by Precocity Press, is available at BookSmart in Morgan Hill, Anderson said. This book is also available on Amazon.com.

Anderson agreed to answer some questions about his new book and why he wrote it in an email from The Times.

What is your new book, The Evolution of Life, about?

Of course, it’s about the evolution of life. However, the subtitle “From the Big Bang to Space Colonies” implies that this story of life begins at the moment of the “Big Bang”. The physics established at that time determined all subsequent properties. It includes life. Conversely, life exists because of the properties of chemistry that exist due to the properties of elements composed of subatomic particles determined at the moment of the “big bang”.

The details of this process are incredibly complex, but the idea of ​​threads of progressive connection to the present is not.

What kind of audience or market is this book written for?

The book was written primarily for AP High School students and beginning college students who are considering a science major but are unsure of the specific field they want to pursue.

The book covers physics, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, human evolution from the beginning, brain structure and function, sociology, psychology, ecology, planetary science, and perhaps a few others. It touches on various sciences, such as the field of I try to connect the convergence of these fields to show their natural interconnectedness and unity.

I wanted to write this book. I’ve never had that ability before. The Covid lockdown offered isolation to do just that. However, it took about two years to complete.

What motivated you to write a book about the evolution of life?

I always had nagging questions about different aspects of science and what I kept reading that I didn’t seem to have time to solve. But they stayed with me. But even in retirement, there are plenty of distractions and to-do lists to keep an eye on. Traveling abroad was a distraction, as was my family and grandchildren.

Covid lockdowns have removed many of these distractions. I had time and isolation. I couldn’t write this book.

When I was in the eighth grade, I borrowed a book from my science teacher entitled “The Chemistry of Life.” I actually read it, but I barely understood it. However, I learned that I can know things that I cannot know from everyday experience. My love of science and research has not been a linear journey, but I got back into science at university.

Do you have any unique insight into Morgan Hill’s modern life and how it relates to the origin and evolution of the universe?

I am in awe of the essence of its beauty and complexity. connection of all living things. Tree roots and fungi also communicate with each other underground to supplement each other’s nutrients. Forest conifers warn each other of beetle attacks by releasing chemicals when infested, and alert nearby trees to activate their defenses. Alerted trees produce more sap to expel infected beetles.

Morgan Hill and all of South County is a treasure as much of the land remains rural. The natural parks and lands near us are the most precious.

What else do you do for entertainment, livelihood, or in your spare time?

Family time around the pool with our children and grandchildren is a great blessing. Her wife Carol and I are retired she has been 12 years. During her first decade, we were fortunate enough to travel a bit through Northern and Southern Europe, the South Pacific and China. We look forward to returning on our trip early next year.

In the meantime, I am writing another book. This time it will be fiction. It jumps out from where I left “Evolution of Life…”. I start with human societies in space and explore how they develop. I wish you good luck!