# Deception Reaches Down to Viruses and Bacteria by Robert Trivers > “Now let me just say that deception is a very deep feature of nature. At all levels, all interactions, e.g. viruses and bacteria often use deception to get inside you.” > **— Robert Trivers**, *“Deceit and Self-Deception,” Edge conversation, 2006* ## Sources and Context - **Original conversation:** [Trivers, “Deceit and Self-Deception,” Edge (May 30, 2006)](https://www.edge.org/conversation/robert_trivers-deceit-and-self-deception). Trivers moves from evolutionary competition to examples of molecular mimicry and insect deception. Biological mimicry here is not the same as a morally culpable human lie. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Edge|Edge]] - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Article:** [[articles/The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley|The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley]] - **Article:** [[articles/Humans and AIs as Entangled Learning Systems|Humans and AIs as Entangled Learning Systems]] - **Wiki map:** [[wiki/Self-Deception|Self-Deception]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Robert Trivers|Robert Trivers]] - [[wiki/Self-Deception|Self-Deception]] - [[wiki/Human Animality|Human Animality]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “Now let me just say that deception is a very deep feature of nature. At all levels, all interactions, e.g. viruses and bacteria often use deception to get inside you.” — Robert Trivers, Edge, 2006 https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-robert-trivers-deception-nature ```