200 word response 1 reference/intext citation Due 3/16/2024
Vassel
The article “Nature Never Repeats Itself” discusses how the idea that nature repeats itself is flawed. It explains that although patterns and similarities can be found in the natural world, each occurrence is unique. The author argues that this misconception arises from our human tendency to simplify complex experiences and disregard the difficult details that make every situation different. There was a statement made in regard to personal identification which stated “finally, there is never the slightest doubt of the impossibility of the duplication of a fingerprint, or even of the small part of one, on the part of any one who has carefully studied the subject at first hand, whether fingerprint expert or anatomist…” (McRoberts, 1999). Fingerprints have unique characteristics due to the complicated patterns of ridges, loops, and whorls present on the skin’s surface. These patterns are formed during early development and remain consistent throughout a person’s life. The individuality of fingerprints lies in the individual variations in ridge patterns, ridge endings, bifurcations, and other details. No two people have the exact same fingerprint, making them a reliable and widely used form of biometric identification. In the article Nature Never Repeats Itself, it argues that, “if nature did not repeat at all, there would be no multiples of the same class-trees and men, whorls and loops, and indeed no universe of fingers to bear whorls and loops. Such repetition, however, is confined to the general molds of things, and in the last analysis of detail “Nature does not repeat.” (McRoberts, 1999). I do agree with the statements that were made in this article because fingerprints are very detailed and has specific characteristics, that it is impossible for two prints to be completely identical, even if it’s coming from identical twins. However, there can be similar classifications such as the different types of fingerprints.