This is a shot of a Foucault pendulum, looking down from above. It is in operation at the Chicago Museum of Science and Technology. 
Natural chlorine bound by sodium in salt (above) versus unnatural chlorine freed to form harmful organochlorines such as bleach and chlorine tablets (below). 
Authors to Enjoy
Rom HarreI first became familiar with Horace Romano (Rom) Harre (born 1927) when a book of his became required pre-reading for my 2003 summer educational experience at Merton College in Oxford, England.
Harre is in the center. A shot taken at the University of Melbourne.
The book I read and enjoyed was his 1981 work called “Great Scientific Experiments: Twenty Experiments That Changed Our View of the World.” It exposed me to a number of landmark scientific investigations conducted by such luminaries as Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, and J.J. Thompson {Note: See the March 2006, Feb 2005, and March 2007 Newsletters for write-ups on Galileo, Newton and Thompson, respectively}. The writing was clear, concise, and stimulated my curiosity regarding the role of science and technology in society. The historical perspective was enlightening and sharpened the themes for my 2004 book, “A World Perspective through 21st Century Eyes.”
Professor Harré is currently an Emeritus Professor of the University of Oxford and Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Georgetown University in Washington. He is teaching Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of Social Sciences, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, The History of Western Philosophy, and Later Philosophy of Wittgenstein.
During the fall of 2005, Harre presented a series of courses on positioning theory and discursive psychology in the Faculty of Education’s Department of Science and Mathematics Education of the University of Melbourne, Australia. Widely respected in the social sciences, Professor Harré bases his positioning theory (or ‘social constructionism’ ideas) on the dynamics of human relationships. He asks, “Do you make the world, or does the world make you?” This is essentially the focus of his positioning theory. An individual’s space (or place) in the world is ever-changing, even if only in incremental steps. Harre’s positioning theory takes account of this space and how that space can be changed for the individual and by the individual.
Derek John de Solla Price
Derek J. de Solla Price (1922 - 1983) was a historian of science. He was often referred to as the ‘Father of Scientometrics.’ Price added his mother's Jewish name, "de Solla," as another middle name, a name which originated in the Iberian Peninsula in Europe. He obtained two doctorate degrees in England and moved to the United States where he became the Avalon Professor of the History of Science. His big challenge at Yale was chair of a new department that encompassed the histories of science, technology, and medicine.
Dr. Price pictured here with a simulated model of the Antikythera.
Some of Price’s major scientific contributions include the following:
• the establishment of scientometrics through his study of the exponential growth of science and the half-life of scientific literature,
• the examination of interactive communication patterns of scientists, and
• the analysis of the Antikythera calendar mechanism.
I thoroughly enjoyed Price’s book, ”Science Since Babylon” (1961), which dealt with, in part, science literature. Price highlighted the “exponential growth of the scientific literature,” He developed a model showing that, “over the long run we should find that, on the average, every scientific paper ever published is cited about once a year but about 35 percent of all existing papers are not cited at all, 49 percent only once, 9 percent twice….. and a remaining 1 per cent six times or more.”
Another major contribution of his was to identify and analyze a first century B.C. Greek mechanical calendar called an Antikythera. It was a bronze geared device believed to be the first mechanical calculator known to humanity. It was used to track the movements of the moon and sun. The Antikythera was 12 inches tall, 8 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Thirty hand-cut gearwheels were at the heart of the mechanism and allowed both agricultural and religious events to be calendarized. It was believed a hand crank on one side allowed data to be entered so that the moon or sun locations in the sky could be shown.
The main wheel of the Antikythera mechanism.
The Antikythera was recovered from a sunken Roman ship, lost just off of the Island of Antikythera, by sponge divers in 1900. It was found 60m under the sea and 30m from shore. Many researchers since 1902 have studied Antikythera. Intensive research on the device began in 1958 and ended in 1974. Price sorted out the pile of corroded cogs and geared wheels and then explained its function after using gamma-radiographic internal photography. Price and his colleagues concluded that the device’s differential gear system could calculate the intricate movements of the sun and the moon. This capability gave the ancient Greeks explanations to all the phenomena of the solar system as they knew it back then. The intricate differential gear system makes the Antikythera particularly important because it is the first mechanism of it's kind uncovered. "GEARS FROM THE GREEKS - The Antikythera Mechanism, A Calendar Computer ca 80 B.C." was published in 1974. However, much interest remains in this object today.
Gears from the Greeks: The Antikythera Mechanism, a Calendar Computer from Ca 80 B.C. (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society)
Building on Price’s work, Hewlett-Packard’s (HP’s) latest analysis using powerful X-ray technology, revealed that the device could also predict lunar and solar eclipses. These new X-rays, coupled with sophisticated imaging software, called Reflectance Imaging, involves taking multiple shots and reproducing the object’s likeness under a variety of lighting conditions.
This approach overcomes the reality of a water-aged, rusted metal piece to study, in favor of a beautiful mechanical work of art, shiny in appearance. The number of characters that could be identified on Antikythera more than doubled from 800 to 2,000 characters. The new symbols suggested when eclipses would occur. Price would have been excited about this extension to his original work. Antikythera is currently on display at the Archeological Museum of Athens in Greece.
 | This picture was snapped just outside California's Plesanton Library. Keep on reading! |
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Top 11 Authors to Read - by RKK
1. Jacob Bronowski's 'Ascent of Man,' 1973
(write-up available)
2. Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring,' 1962, 1987
(write-up available)
3. I. Bernard Cohen, 'Revolution in Science,' 1985
(write-up available)
4. Kitty Ferguson, 'Tycho and Kepler,' 2003
(write-up available)
Featured Author:
5. Rom Harre, 'Great Scientific Experiments,' 1981
6. Walter Kaufmann, 'Discovering the Mind,' 1980
7. John Stuart Mill, 'On Liberty,' 1859
(write-up available)
Featured Author:
8. Derek J. de Solla Price, 'Science Since Babylon,' 1961
9. Ernest F. Schumacher, 'Small is Beautiful,' 1973
10. Steven Weinberg, 'The First Three Minutes,' 1993
11. Pierre Berton, 'The Last Spike,' 1972
(write-up available)
The medieval, mechanical clock shown here is in Salisbury Cathedral, England.
It is one of the most notable pieces of mechanism in existence. The Salisbury mechanical clock is the most ancient piece of real machinery in existence in original condition and still at work anywhere on earth.
I've received a number of questions about who influenced me and my writings. Besides my family and friends and the many work experiences around North America, the likes of Goethe, Voltaire, Bronowski, and Rachel Carson influenced my views.
Goethe and Voltaire were some of the most talented generalists ever to live and I marvel at their breadth of interests. They delivered in both the arts and sciences.
I admire Bronowski with his depth of scientific knowledge and how he applied it to humanity.
And I am impressed by Carson’s view that technological innovation does not have to be destructive to nature.
The richness of the lessons to be learned through their experiences and writings is huge. All of these influences helped to shape me and the tone of my book.
Enjoy all of these authors too.
Keep on reading and sending the feedback!
RKK's Review of A Recent Book
The Book: Steve Wozniak's iWoz - Computer Geek to Cult Icon (2006)
As I read the book I could see many parallels in our unique life experiences. Woz’s science fiction hero was the Edward Stratemeyer character Tom Swift, while mine was Spock in Star Trek. Similarly, while Woz’s father had discussions with him on religion as mine did, Woz was brought up with science as the religion. I was brought up with the Lutheran view of Christianity as the religion. Interestingly enough, we both ended up with the same solid counsel regarding truth and honesty. While Steve was looking for truth through using the scientific method in grade school, I was being told what truth was through the ten commandments. In either case, a solid work ethic and an intense curiosity for what else is out there to explore was instilled in each of us. As is always the case with young teenagers, adults can have a profound influence. Woz and I both were inspired to explore science even more, as a direct result of teachers, a profession we both feel is undervalued by society. Whereas Woz had a bad episode with the U.S. draft board, I felt let down by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Such early experiences make you leery of institutions, government and union promises, and authority in general. You can’t trust them to do the right thing. As Woz and I gleaned during our youth, always respectfully challenge authority.
Steve Wozniak was driven by the desire to build a computer that everyone could buy, put on their desk, and learn to use by themselves. ‘The Dream’ became reality when Woz in June 1975 became the first person in history to type a character on a keyboard and see it appear on a screen in front of them. This was the Apple I. Every computer before it had a front panel loaded with lights and switches. (Remember, for example, the PDP-11 series built by DEC in the 1970s and 1980s?) Every computer since the Apple has featured a keyboard and a screen. That is how big an idea Woz had in the summer of 1975.
 | The PDP-11 computer is shown on the left with its lights and switches. By comparison, the Apple II, shown on the right, came with a keyboard and a screen. It broke new ground by delivering the power of a company computer in a small, cost-effective package, complete with screen and keyboard. |  |
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Woz talks about how rapidly things progressed from the Apple I to the Apple II and to the formation of Apple Computer that he cofound with Steve Jobs. He felt the Apple II was ten times better than the Apple 1. Customers agreed. The Apple II was the first computer company to sell beyond the one million milestone. Woz believed Apple had the largest IPO since Ford Motor Company because of the Apple II, its floppy disk, and the VisiCalc program that made it more practical to use than competing entries. But what was so special about the Apple II? A number of things. For the early technology adopters, the Apple II supported color and sound, sported speed, included game paddles, and was both smaller and cheaper than any other computer. It was designed around both text and graphics integrated within the system’s memory and featured eight built-in slots for expansion.
I encourage you to pick up a copy, enjoy the early history of computers and Apple, and glean some insights. If you happen to be an engineer, enjoy many of the parallels between your personal experiences and the Woz’s. For more on Steve Wozniak please visit his website at:
Enjoy!
The 'Best of Science' Writing Series
Jesse Cohen has been editing an excellent series of science writings called “The Best American Science Writing of 200x,” where x represents a year in the new millennium. The series began in 2000 with James Gleick as editor and continues with the most recent installment in 2006 featuring Atul Gawande as editor. I highly recommend you check out each and every one of these seven editions.Some of my favorite scientific articles and gleaned insights are as follows:
Year 2000 - Editor: James Gleick
- George Johnson’s “Of Mice and Elephants: A Matter of Scale,” which looks at mathematics in biology.
- Deborah M. Gordon’s “Close Encounters” reveals how ant behavior illustrates how simple parts can make complex living systems.
- Natalie Angier’s “Furs for Evening, but Cloth was the Stone Age Standby” that identifies women as the first engineers and how fashion first appeared around 40,000 BC.
- Stephen Jay Gould’s “A Division of Worms,” which rescues Lamarck from the margins of scientific history.
Year 2001 - Editor: Timothy Ferris
- John A. Wheeler’s “How Come the Quantum?” discusses this minute, indivisible bundle of energy and how change occurs in many little explosions.
- Stephen S. Hall’s “The Recycled Generation” looks at the power of stem cells and bioengineering to force us to consider the question, “What to do with ourselves if we do not die?”
- Ernst Mayr’s “Darwin’s Influence of Modern Thought,” which discusses how Darwin transformed evolutionary biology, the philosophy of science, and the modern zeitgesit.
- Jacques Leslie’s “Running Dry” that looks at the problem of humanity’s vanishing freshwater.
Year 2002 - Editor: Matt Ridley
- Lisa Belkin’s “The Made-to-Order Savior” reviews the technological possibilities of designer babies, use of one embryo to save another, and more as well as the ethical issues surrounding who decides how to wield the technology.
- Julian Dibbell’s “Pirate Utopia” highlights the ancient art of hiding messages - steganography - and how digital watermarks can be used to trace stolen property such as photos, music, and movies.
- Steven Weinberg’s “Can Science Explain Everything?” questions whether science really explains things or simply describes them. He leaves us with the assertion that science can never explain any moral principle.
Year 2003 - Editor: Oliver Sacks
- Charles C. Mann’s “1491” looks at pre-Columbian Americans and American Natives and the spread of white man’s disease.
- Frank Wilczek’s “The World’s Numerical Recipe” that compares and contrasts Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom with Kepler’s system of planetary spheres.
- Michael Klesius’s “The Big Bloom,” which addresses the interaction between insects and flowering plants that shaped the development of both through the process of coevolution.
Year 2004 - Editor: Dava Sobel
- Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s “Gravity in Reverse,” which looks at the (im)perfection of Einstein’s General Relativity and its continuing legacy in the 21st century.
- Sherwin B. Nuland’s “How to Grow Old” proposes the role of medicine is not to prolong life (beyond the biological maximum of 120 years - the Hayflick Limit) but to make life better.
- Aaron E. Hirsh’s “Signs of Life” discusses how Darwin’s “laws” render evolution intelligible, but not predictable or reducible.
- William Langwiesche’s “Columbia’s Last Flight” is a powerful recreation of this shuttle’s last flight and the events surrounding the disaster. Did a complacent NASA culture cost the lives of seven astronauts?
Year 2005 - Editor: Alan Lightman
- Oliver Sack’s “Greetings from the Island of Stability” reveals another perspective of the periodic table and how the number of elements created after 1960 accelerated.
- Franck Wilczek’s “Whence the Force of F=ma?” tries to understand why the concept of force is conspicuously absent from the advanced formulations of the basic laws of nature, such as Schrodinger’s equation, Einstein’s general relativity, and quantum field theory.
- William J. Broad’s “Will Compasses Point South?” discusses the impending reversal of Earth’s magnetic field.
- Robin Marantz Henig’s “The Genome in Black and White (and Gray)” posits that biologically there is no such thing as race, but culturally there is.
Year 2006 - Editor: Atul Gawande
- Michael Specter’s ”Nature’s Bioterrorist” looks at the flu and the avian influenza in particular, and potential pandemics, the viral equivalents of a perfect storm.
- Neil Swidey’s ”What Makes People Gay?” addresses the genetic and environmental factors that lead a person to prefer those of the same sex.
- Charles C. Mann’s ”The Coming Death Shortage” proposes that the longevity of Baby Boomers could lead to great dislocations in society and intergenerational warfare.
- Jack Hitt’s ”Mighty White of You” considers an emerging theory that the first Americans may have come from Europe during the last ice age 18,000 years ago.
- Paul Bloom’s ”Is God an Accident?” posits that humanity’s need for religion could be an evolutionary adaptation.
Year 2007 - Editor: Gina Kolata
- Robin Marantz Henig’s “Looking for the Lie” reviews the techniques used to detect when people are lieing. Apparently, fewer than 5 percent of people seem to have some innate ability to sniff out deception with accuracy. The rest of us rely on machines.
- Elizabeth Kolbert’s “Butterfly Lessons” is an enlightening article about the impact global warming has had on species around the world. Not only that, but global warming is now driving evolution. Species with short life spans experience thousands of reproductive life cycles during a typical human life span, and as such, can more rapidly adjust to climate change through the process of natural selection.
- Jonathon Keats’s ”John Koza Has Built an Invention Machine” discusses the automation of creativity. The invention machine is Darwinism in action where it’s genetic programming is the synthesis of genetic algorithms and artificial intelligence.
- John Cassidy’s ”Mind Games” posits that whenever people are faced with ambiguity in their lives, emotions can overpower reasoning. The essay also uncovers that the rational human mind seems to have a built-in “loss aversion” mechanism.
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