Are creepy crawlers and unwanted plants deserving of empathy as partners dwelling with us on earth? Fruit flies, dandelions, and crabgrass are the bane of many people and the target of numerous eradication efforts. In his compelling reassessment of the relationship between humans and the natural world, Hainze considers the fascinating and bizarre history of how these so-called invasive or unwanted pests and weeds have coevolved with humanity and highlights the benefits of a greater respect and moral consideration toward these organisms.
**John Hainze** has pursued interests in environmental ethics and the relationship of religion and science through an M.A. in Religion from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin. John served as Teaching Fellow at Yale in courses on Religion and Ecology, and Law, Religion, and the Environment. He worked on developing online courses for the Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale. He served as Adjunct Faculty in Entomology at the University of Wisconsin and in Biology at Carroll University. John is also a film producer, and completed a series of educational videos on Christianity and Cosmology, Evolution, and the Environment. Previously, he worked as a scientist and manager at SC Johnson and Son. John is now president of BioOpus LLC, through which he pursues entomological consulting, writing, and film projects.
James Barilla is associate professor in the MFA program of the University of South Carolina, where he teaches creative nonfiction and environmental writing.