The Magic of the Collective A life in the service of science This memoir is not simply an account of Kai Simons' career in cell biology. It is witness to the many changes that have occurred in Europe from the immediate post-war period in Scandinavia, through the affluent late twentieth century in Germany, including reunification and the growth of science and technology in the former soviet-bloc. It is a reflection on many aspects of modern scientific research including the current domination of competition over collaboration, scientific fraud and whistleblowing, and the dichotomy between science and the arts. Also, it touches on the influence of modern biology on science and society from social Darwinism to the response to COVID-19 vaccines. The book will interest not only the thousands of researchers who have been influenced by Kai Simons over the years, but also other scientists who are currently engaged in creating new laboratories, university departments and research institutes, young people setting out on their own careers in research, and a broader audience as well.