Articles Tagged with social effects of technology

The angle of the light

A photographer and appearances

16l06-22bOur photographer draws our attention to how differently the same objects appear in different light.  It’s a lesson easily generalized.

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Somone else’s poetry

Why read something you don’t care for?

A minor matter of a subscription raises a point of vital importance.

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The postures of photography

Conforming to the machine

Our photographer notices how a new technology forces our bodies into new positions.

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Ringing the changes

The sophisticated basis of old technology

bellOur astronomer spent a few years in England, where he learned something of the arcane art of ringing church bells.  In the belfries of that country are wonderful examples of essentially Medieval technology that also demonstrate advanced mathematical and physical ideas.

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The yellow zone vs. the idiot light

What information are you given as an operator?

Much about automobiles has changed greatly over the past decade or two.  Part of it comes from different ideas of what the driver should be doing.

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How big is a picture?

Returning to the Brownie format

b620The photographs that came out of this Kodak Brownie camera from the 1930s may be the best size ever found.

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Toy poodles, the Belmont Stakes and wheat

Prehistoric biotechnology

Our astronomer steps out of his area of expertise to comment on biology.

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The radio and the epee tip

The strange endurance of obsolescence

fencing epee, cord and gloveWhy do some things keep on being used when an up-to-date replacement is clearly much better?

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Life is nonlinear

Changing something changes everything

Tomorrow is a lot like today, but not always.  Beware the law of unintended consequences.

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For the long run

docsOne of our consultants has been working on a genealogical project this past week.  It prompts some thoughts on the difference between science and scholarship as well as the longevity of documents.

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