Can You See Me now? Good.

I love the perpetually awkward moment when you are skyping your crush over your webcam and when it begins to buffer, the screen leaves him with a disgusting expression because I was talking about a super funny story, which was never really funny…said no one ever. It was predicted in 1956 that a pricey renovation of a “vidphone” would capture the market’s attention, and they were right...to a certain degree. Bell laboratories were ecstatic to share their invention they recognized as the “Picture-Phone.” This invention at the time was created to enable the public to experience a sense of “togetherness” regardless of the distance. Coincidently, I think the later similar inventions, like Skype, portray a much different message. Now, these products have somewhat allowed people to become complacent with distance and the idea of less “actual” face-to-face conversation. In the twentieth century, people knew of communication technologies, but the difference was the level of comfortability. These instruments of communication can be comforting to those who long to be close to loved ones, but they can also become a nuisance to those who prefer face-to-face conversation. Depending on you ask, you will get a differing opinion. In the future, many do believe that real face-to-face contact will decrease. It has even become common for couples to request a “virtual date,” versus taking the time to go out to dinner after a busy workday. As Bob Dylan would say, “the times, they are a-changin’,” and it doesn’t appear that the influence of technology in our society will be slowing down. So, I guess we remain content with the lack of consistency in sound and picture provided by Skype, which is not much different than the “Picture-Phone” it appears. Thank you, Microsoft. 

The Expectations of the Future: Fact or Fiction?

It suddenly reached critical mass. Fear is powerful, and fear amongst many can cause complete chaos. There are two types of fears in our physiological world: the fear of what is known in the world, which is either a concept supported by fact or a stimulus in an environment that causes discomfort to an individual, and then there is the fear of the unknown. Well the question in science an abundance of the time is, “Where is the line that distinguishes Fact from Fiction?” I think that line is a thin line treaded carefully by individuals in today’s society.

An example of fiction, such as “All’s Fair at the Fair” is a perfect illustration of the positive outlook of what was in store for the future. People were excited for the advancement, for the heightened efficiency, and the possibility of completely moving past the hard times of the Great Depression. In Max Fleischer’s video, “All’s Fair at the Fair,” the enthusiasm of the future is obvious. In the short film, a young couple makes a trip to the city to journey through the innovations of the “World of Tomorrow.” They entered the city in their what was considered normal attire and minimal cosmetics, on a horse drawn carriage, then experienced advancement of a futuristic lifestyle in the making. The couple was pampered head to toe by a robotic staff and they rekindled their romance on the dance floor after paying for lessons from a machine-oriented instructor. After such an evening, the couple then proceeded to the exit where they then chose an automobile of their choice that came from a push button machine that allowed the couple to select which style of automobile they would like. The selection was made, and a small package unfolded into a new sports car and on their way they went, with a new outlook of the future. This was a common outlook of the time period and people could hardly wait to experience these innovations firsthand.

Now the separation from fiction lies in the fear of the unknown. A positive example of fact would be the exhibit of Futurama at the World’s Fair in New York, accompanied by a detailed pamphlet titled “Democracity.” These were exciting changes to people. Where was the negative? Well, it was the fear of the unknown. The radio broadcast conducted by Orson Welles on October 30, 1938 was intended as a Halloween hoax, but some took the story seriously. The radio broadcast was a story inspired by War of the Worlds, which details a Martian attack focused specifically on the human race. People were terrified, and New England went into absolute chaos. Why did people believe this outrageous story? Well, to the people it was believed as fact rather than fiction. The sound effects of horrifying screams, gunfire, and the background noise made people believe that this story was indeed true.

So again, where is the line between fact and fiction? Well, it sometimes does not even matter. If an individual fears something enough, what may be defined as fiction may appear in their minds as fact.

Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs?

Europe's best song ever accompanied by an awkward Tyrannosaurus Rex equals greatness.

In 1841, Sir Richard Owen coined the term dinosaur. Well, what is a dinosaur? In Greek, deinos means “fearfully great” and sauros means “lizard;” so together this term created a fast growing intrigue. In the 17^th century, people all around the world were being bombarded by advertisements about the gargantuan pre-historic creatures that once roamed our planet. In the middle of the 17^th century, the “dinomania” was becoming old news. To nix this little problem, the Crystal Palace in London displayed an exhibit portraying replicas of dinosaurs. At this time, audiences did not exactly favor the exhibit due to lack of accuracy. On the other hand, regardless of whether people liked the exhibit or not, curiosity had set in and it was simply something everyone had to see for themselves.

Richard Waterhouse Hawkins, the artist of the thirty-three dinosaurs in the Crystal Palace’s 1851 exhibit, was a great artist, but he is not the artist that set the standard of how the 21^st century envisions dinosaurs. The man I feel needs the credit is Charles R. Knight. Hawkins was challenged whenever he was presented with a scarce amount of fossilized evidence, so he let his artistic skill lead him in the process of improvising. These creatures were out of proportion and they were…”off.” In comparison, Knight also took an imaginative route when composing his work, but his work was much more realistic and believable.  Knight never illustrated with the assistance of a photograph, because there obviously is no photographic evidence of dinosaurs. As humans, we rely on the instinct that “seeing is believing,” but Knight thought differently and went by the saying, “believing is seeing.” This drive is what made Knight famous.

In the past, our society was religiously driven and many people demanded concrete evidence in order to believe any scientific antics. In the present, I feel society has come to grips with the idea that uncertainty will always exist. This is another reason why I believe children are drawn to the idea of dinosaurs. Enormous dinosaurs, mystical sea creatures, and the mysteries of outer space satisfy the minds of children because even adults cannot fully explain these concepts. Specifically speaking of dinosaurs, children can use their imaginations and never have the fear of being criticized for it. Although society has become more open minded to various topics of discussion, dinosaurs present too much uncertainty for adults to even care about their existence. We care about the here and now rather than trying to constantly dig up the past.

So after childhood, does “dinomania” disappear? I wouldn’t say it disappears, I think society presses us to believe that vampires, aliens, and zombies are more important than dinosaurs in the more recent day and age. I can say I never had a dinosaur stage other than the time I spent with Barney and Godzilla; I was more intrigued by cowboys and Indians. Although I never went through the stage, I do think that even now my curiosity cannot even fathom the monstrosities that Knight illustrated to the world. So toast to Charles R. Knight and his restorations of the monstrosities, and toast to the Crystal Palace for attempting to awaken the dead curiosity of us boring minded adults. This is history, and it shall always be remembered.

The Portrait of America's First Leading Astronomer

 Art is not necessarily a work that is always flamboyant or iconic, it may be a work, or in specifically in this case, a portrait, that has the exclusive purpose to immortalize an individual’s achievements. If I were to display one of a man that lacks a sense of appreciation, it would be the portrait of John Winthrop. The man not only was recognized as America’s leading astronomer, but he was also a former professor of mathematics and philosophy at the renowned Harvard University. If this beautiful portrait were to be presented in the Fred Jones Jr. museum, I would hope the tour guide would take the time to explain that the document in his hand is the diagram of the transit of Venus, and along with the diagram, the brass reflecting telescope was a fellow companion throughout his mass research and observation of Venus. Even with this information about the concrete portrait, that is not even saying enough for the man in the painting. I would also instruct the tour guide to detail Winthrop’s demeanor as a researcher. Winthrop was no Victor Frankenstein; he was definitely not a person who worked in seclusion. Much like Einstein’s approach to science, he aimed to reach out to other researchers of astronomy and expanded his knowledge of the subject to his greatest ability. Not only was he eager to learn, but also Winthrop was eager to share his vast knowledge of astronomy with the world. He was a simple man with a great love for astronomy, and this portrait is a great showcasing of his passion for science. Once he died, he left the world with his interpretation of the great transit of Venus. In one of his documents, he quoted Jean-Baptiste Chappe d' Auteroche, which says, "I know that I have only a little time left to live, but I have fulfilled my aim and I die content." I think John Winthrop leaving this quote in his work says something about him not only as a great scholar, but as a gentleman who felt he fulfilled his purpose in the world: to educate the New World with a respect for astronomy. So hopefully with this insight of the man in the painting, people will look at it with an enthusiasm to live the life they want to live like John Winthrop.