The End of Research

Many people have wondered about the research involved in writing a book like ManBug.

Research only goes so far in creating a character like Sebastian.  Ultimately, I wanted the freedom to create a unique character, without the pressure of trying to accurately represent a particular condition or syndrome.  The label Asperger's is used to suggest, but not confine.  In addition, Sebastian experiences synesthesia -- in his case, he sees colours when he hears certain words or sounds.

I also did a lot of research into entomology (it amuses me enormously that people ask if I am an entomologist).  I do find insects to be amazing little creatures.  They are incredible, fantastic and often overlooked.  However, research here is quickly overwhelming, because so much is unknown and because diversity in the insect world knows no limits.  I like to think I showed great restraint in sharing amazing bug facts (did you know the weight of ants on the planet is greater than the weight of the human population).  However, readers who are creeped out by the thought of lard worms are probably wishing for a little more restraint.

In terms of the entomology content in ManBug, I mainly focused on insects that live on or just under the skin.  The metaphor here is the parallel between the skin of the planet and the skin of a person.  Unfortunately the impulse to poison insects often means we are poisoning ourselves.  I don't talk about bed bugs in the novel, but while finishing the book bed bugs have been very much in the news.  Bed bugs are enjoying a resurgence in urban populations, because they are resilient and very hard to kill.  In order to kill bed bugs, rooms are basically made uninhabitable for the human population -- a sad metaphor for what we are doing to more and more of the planet.

In the future, I might write something about ants or bees, because I find the hive mind to be extremely fascinating.  The best thing about insects is that they provide an endless source of metaphors.

Comments

[Anne]

I love the entomology in the book and am tickled to imagine your studying up on it for the details.

I have a young daughter who has many books about bugs and with bug and spider characters. As I read along in ManBug, thinking about the analogies that Sebastian makes between human and animal behavior, I was always amused to compare them with the conversations we have about bugs--which ones we kill (mosquitos) and which we let be (ants and bees, but for different reasons).

In the end, Sebastian--you--convinced me that I needed to learn more, to pay them more respect, sure, but also just to take the time to think about how cool and freaky they are.

[asheresque]

Hi George -- I'd love to hear more about what attracted you to the subject of Asperger's Syndrome. It's natural to see this syndrome as a metaphor for a broader human condition, and I think your book presents it as such -- or does it? I'd be interested in hearing any thoughts you have on what the roots of this syndrome are as well, or anything else you have to say about it (note: I'm especially interested in the subject because I know people who've been diagnosed with this condition, though I don't feel I have a great handle on exactly what it is).

Thanks ...

[Gwenda]

So, George, a completely indulgent, beauty-pageant-esque question:

What's your favorite insect and why?

[Dan Wickett]

Ah, Levi beat me to my question, so I hope you'll have a chance to follow up on it.

[George Ilsley]

One thing that moved me to want to write about Asperger's is the story of Dr. Asperger described in the section "Kinship" (p. 87). When Dr. Asperger selected those first 4 children, he was saving their lives. He was deciding who was valuable. He was deciding who lives and who dies. This is a theme in the book, and as Anne mentions, it is something we all do with insects. Another attractive element with Asperger's is that there is potential to learn, to develop awareness, to move beyond obstacles or challenges. An amazing resource site for the Asperger's community is WrongPlanet.net.

[Inversiones en petroleo]

I think that this post is very good because has useful information.

[India Pharmacy]

Interesting point of view, it is a good comparative point between our skin and the planet's skin.

[online pharmacy]

Well in actual times is really hard to make up something new because everything is already invented, but well i wish you good luck in your quest.