Günter’s old tape recorder is completely useless to Karl, who is not a sentimental man. Yet for some reason, he can not discard it, and there it lies, like an abandoned toy, collecting dust on a shelf in his office.

A tape recorder and microphone were almost always his constant companions, whether on tours in zoological gardens, bicycle excursions in the surroundings of Berlin, or on holidays.

Karl reminds us about Günter's friendship with his recorder, and when he does, it is as if he is offering a handshake, a real hand, made of flesh and blood, not able to erase itself.

A dead hand. We fondly remember him, eminent scholar.

Unlike the work of artists, scientific work is presented as discoveries. Scientists do not create narratives; they discover the narratives that are already there. The discoveries may have a historical context, but it was there all the time, waiting to be noticed.

Do you agree?