Why Fish Don't Exist summary

The Man With A Vision

In Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller, we are introduced to David Starr Jordan, a taxonomist who, in the late 1800s, was on a mission to categorize every known fish species. A man of unwavering determination, Jordan believed in an ordered universe, one that could be neatly divided and labeled. His work led to the discovery of thousands of new species of fish, and he was named the founding president of Stanford University, where he built a vast collection of fish specimens that was considered the most complete in the world.

However, Jordan's life was marked by a series of catastrophic events. The 1906 earthquake in San Francisco destroyed his collection, leaving him to start from scratch. Yet, Jordan remained undeterred, believing that the chaos of the world could be conquered by the order he sought to impose.

The Theory of Order

Miller then delves deeper into Jordan's life, exploring his theory of eugenics, a belief in the selective breeding of humans to create a superior race. This theory, rooted in the same desire for order that drove his work in taxonomy, led Jordan to support policies of forced sterilization and racial segregation. This dark side of Jordan's character is juxtaposed with his unwavering commitment to his scientific work, creating a complex and enigmatic figure.

As the narrative unfolds, we learn that Jordan's obsession with order extended beyond his professional and ideological pursuits. In his personal life, he maintained a meticulously organized collection of women's names, categorizing them as either 'angels' or 'devils' based on his perception of their moral character. This revelation adds another layer to Jordan's character, painting him as a man consumed by his need for control.

Embracing Chaos

Despite his relentless pursuit of order, Jordan's life was marked by constant upheaval. His second marriage ended in a scandalous divorce, and his reputation was tarnished by accusations of academic fraud. These events, coupled with the loss of his beloved fish collection, could have broken a lesser man. But Jordan, ever the optimist, remained resolute in his belief that order could be imposed upon the chaos.

It is not until the latter part of the book that Miller reveals her own personal struggles, drawing a parallel between her experiences and Jordan's. She describes how she, like Jordan, clung to the idea of a neat and orderly world, only to have her beliefs shattered by a series of life-altering events. It is through this lens that she begins to reevaluate Jordan's philosophy, questioning whether the pursuit of order is a futile endeavor in a world that is inherently chaotic.

Accepting the Unknowable

In the final chapters of Why Fish Don't Exist, Miller takes us on a journey of self-discovery, one that mirrors Jordan's own reckoning with chaos. She comes to realize that, much like the fish in Jordan's collection, life cannot be neatly categorized and labeled. Instead, it is its very unpredictability that makes it beautiful and worth living.

In conclusion, Why Fish Don't Exist is a thought-provoking exploration of the human desire for order in a chaotic world. Through the lens of David Starr Jordan's life, Lulu Miller challenges us to embrace the randomness of life, to accept that some things cannot be neatly categorized, and to find beauty in the unknown.