Discovering HistSci stupidity in the Intertubes

Sometimes I get the feeling that I’m developing into the Orac of history of science and that I should concentrate on posting original thoughts on things mathematical or astronomical but then I stumble over something that however hard I try I simply can’t ignore. Then to ease the pain of indignation I just have to sit down at the keyboard and vent my spleen about the latest piece of inanity that has succeeded in provoking my ire. [To discover what has annoyed me this time go here]

The active observatory

The following review was written for the new Science Studies section of the website Dissertation Reviews, and can also be read there. It is an outline of Alistair Kwan’s Architectures of astronomical observation: from Sternwarte Kassel (circa 1560) to the Radcliffe Observatory (1772). [Read more]

Objects and storytelling

Some weeks ago on the Medical Museion blog, Thomas Soderqvist wrote an interesting and, perhaps, provocative post on Narrativity in exhibition making, suggesting that “the current enthusiasm” for stories, storytelling and narrative in object displays “is problematic”. As an historian, this idea fits into my training: I understand where Thomas is coming from and largely agree: go read the post. Yet, as someone, still relatively new to and totally untrained for the role of museum professional, I find that it goes very much against the process of developing displays as I have, so far, experienced it. [Read more]

Submitting posts to Giants’ Shoulders #HistSci blog carnival

Giants’ Shoulders only works if people submit posts[1].

A person can only submit posts when they know they exist.

The first person to know about the existence of a post is the author.

When you write a blog post about histsci, submit it right away right here.

The first person to know about the existence of a post is the author.

A person can only submit posts when they know they exist.

Giants’ Shoulders only works if people submit posts.

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[1] This post is a modified version of a post stolen from John Wilkins at Evolving Thoughts

A black spot in science writing

I really don’t know why Esther Inglis-Arkell thinks that she is qualified to write about science, the examples I have seen so far show very clearly that she should spend her time doing something else. After her Cantor debacle she now screws up the history of the black drop effect. Let us examine her offering on the science fiction website io9 for accuracy.

Lisa commits the ‘father of’ sin.

What is wrong with the expression ‘father of’? A mild rant!

Monday blast from the past #11 (on a Tuesday)

Who was John Ray?

The Dispersal of History of Science Blog Posts: Giants’ Shoulders #43

Our second favourite doggie, Sascha is naturally numero uno, Michael Barton, Darwins Bulldog, has posted the 43^rd edition of the history of science blog carnival On The Shoulders of Giants at The Dispersal of Darwin and a bumper edition it is too. So go on over to Michael’s home patch and peruse the best of histsci blogging from the last month.

Giants’ Shoulders #44 will be hosted by yours truly here at the Renaissance Mathematicus on 16^th February 2012. Submissions as always by 15^th February either direct to your genial host, that’s me of course, or to the blog carnival website.

As always we are desperately searching for hosts for the rest of 2012 so if you have a blog and want to host the best blog carnival in the blogosphere the contact either Dr SkySkull at Skulls in the Stars or Thony C at The Renaissance Mathematicus.

Neglected Duties: Giants’ Shoulders #42 & Giants’ Shoulders #43

I’m afraid that in the last month I have rather neglected my duties as junior co-manager, chief cook and bottle washer of The Giants’ Shoulders the monthly history of science blog carnival. This is a somewhat belated attempt to make good.

Giants’ Shoulders #42 appeared punctually and in full glory edited by Darin Hayton at the PACHS blog on 16^th December 2011 and if by chance you still haven’t read it you should get on over there now and enjoy a months worth of first class history of science blogging.

Giants’ Shoulders #43 will be hosted by our own very favourite bull doggie, Michael Barton Darwin’s Bulldog, at that wonderful repository of all things Darwinian The Dispersal of Darwin on 16^th January 2012. Submission as usual either direct to the host or to the blog carnival’s website by 15^th January 2012.

As always Giants’ Shoulders is desperately seeking hosts for the next months so if you are seeking fame and glory this is your chance. You just need to contact either Dr SkySkull at Skulls in the Stars or myself that’s Thony C at The Renaissance Mathematicus.

January 6, 1912-2012: 100 years of Continental Drift!

January 6, 1912 the German meteorologist Alfred Wegener presented in a lecture entitled “Die Heraushebung der Großformen der Erdrinde (Kontinente und Ozeane) auf geophysikalischer Grundlage” (The uprising of large features of earth’s curst (Continents and Oceans) on geophysical basis) for the first time his hypothesis of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea, from which all modern continents split apart.