500 years ago- present day
- 500 years ago- Humankind admits ignorance and begins to acquire power
- 200 years ago- Industrial Revolution
- Present day- The continuation of unprecedented technologies
Spring 2020 Entries
Science vs Technology, The Power of Knowledge, and Advancement during World Wars.
1500s-Present Day
Erin Lager
In 1620, English philosopher Francis Bacon published the scientific manifesto titled “The New Instrument,” where he argued that knowledge is power. The real test of knowledge isn’t whether it’s true, but whether it empowers us. Truth is a poor test for knowledge, and the real test should be utility. The relationship between science and technology is a recent phenomenon. When Francis Bacon recognized a connection between science and technology in the early 17th century, the idea was revolutionary. Following the 17th and 18th centuries, the correlation between science and technology was strengthened. It was only universally accepted in the 19th century. Nowadays, the connection forged between science and technology is so strong that we tend to confuse the two (Harari, 2019).
Science has provided us with numerous tools spanning across centuries, both mental and technological. Our mental tools can help us predict statistical outcomes such as death rates and economic growth. We tend to think it’s impossible to develop new technologies without scientific research, however history proves otherwise. Many technological advancements throughout history weren’t formed through meticulous research and planning, but rather through trial and error by craftsman and commoners. During the 1800s, businessmen and rulers seeking success would often neglect investing in research finances towards physics, economics, or biology (Harari, 2019).
Unsurprisingly, the phrase Knowledge is Power is incredibly relevant during warfare. Our wars are the product of our scientific research and technological development. World War One prompted both sides to call in scientists. These scientists went on to develop a disturbing amount of technologically advanced weaponry, including combat aircrafts, tanks, and poisonous gasses, all in desperation to defend their nation. World War Two wasn’t much different, leading scientists to create atomic bombs and jet-powered aircrafts. Our fixation with creating this much military technology is also a recent phenomenon, the times have changed. We are now actively seeking out the knowledge of scientists, researches who dedicate their lives to experimenting and innovation. Not just for war technology, but for just about everything now; medical research, politics, agriculture, you name it. However, it should be noted how much war influences us to develop and advance technologically. For example, gunpower was invented by accident, yet it was only utilized in warfare during the 15th century, 600 years after its invention. Why is that? Well, gunpower was invented during a time when no one thought military technology would save them or make them wealthy (Harari, 2019).
Citation
Harari, Y. N. (2019). Sapiens: a brief history of humankind. London: Vintage.
Scientific Revolution: Trust and Money
The phenomenon that I will be analyzing today is the complicated topic of money lending and more specifically, the evolution of credit. While Harari states that the idea of credit (lending money to be paid back later with interest) has virtually always existed, there have been some vital conceptual changes that have caused it to have a great impact on our world. Essentially, credit allows a person or entity to procure capital that they do not have in the pursuit of obtaining more capital over a longer span of time. Previously in history the foundational mindset was that wealth was a stagnant thing. There was a fixed amount and those who did lend money would do so with a small amount, to be paid back in a short time with a large interest. If you had money you would not look to explore new markets or invest in a promising enterprise. This all started to change with the new mindset that defines the Scientific Revolution, and that is an awareness that there is more to be discovered about this world.
While there is no specific start date of this change to the way we viewed our world, I am going to focus on how the successes of Christopher Columbus changed history. The actors at play here are an entrepreneurial merchant in Columbus and a Governmental system in Queen Isabella. Lending Columbus such a large amount of resources over such a long period of time was rare during this time period and the idea that a whole new trade route was worth exploring for was almost unprecedented. But this is an example of the shifting mindset. We must put forth capital in order to eventually gain more.
We all know how that particular story ends. Columbus accidentally discovers the Americas and a frantic rush begins for the seemingly unending amount of resources that can be found in this new world. What is crucial to remember here is that Queen Isabella expected in some way to get a return on her investment and she got more than could have imagined. There were fertile lands and a easily subjugated work force that could be enslaved to work it. If the initial investment was never made than the untold riches from exploiting this land and its people could never have happened. The collision of massive resource systems, governmental systems, the trade networks and distribution power of the entire African, European and Asian continents and the boundless natural resources and labor of the Americas, proliferated a practice of investing vast amounts of money for long term gain.
The great powers of the day, The Spanish, Dutch, and French, just to name a few, all poured money in discovering and exploiting new resources for their personal gain. Massive plantations using the land and labor of the Americas provided more money to fund further campaigns. In the decades after Columbus’ discovery the world changed dramatically. Most European powers were investing heavily in procuring new resources that could be introduced into the existing trade systems that for centuries had been basically stagnant. During the 1500’s the wealth of the world was growing rapidly and the introduction of substantial, long-term credit in these systems was the catalyst. The outcomes can still be seen to this day. Governments and companies alike look all over the world for resources that they can shovel their resources into in order to make a profit.
Citations
Harari, Y.N. (2015) Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Retrieved from: shorturl.at/gFNPZ
Scientific Technology
The Scientific Revolution covers the span of over five hundred years, beginning in the 1500’s and advancing into present day society. Since then, Homo sapiens have discovered more about the world we live in, whether that is through the work of sociologists, physicists, or biologists. For this we are to thank our European Empires, scientists and philosophers that had an abundant curiosity about the natural world were sent to explore its boundaries. In the year 1620, an English philosopher by the name of Francis Bacon argued the theory that “knowledge is power”, claiming that the real test of knowledge is not proven by truth but by utility (Harari, 2015). This was a revolutionary idea at the time since no human had deliberated the idea. Centuries later this theory can be proven correct by the strong connection between the development of research in science and the production of technology. The combination results in more effective technology that can help shape advance our society’s future in fields such as healthcare, environmental sciences, and weaponry.
This drawn connection has only recently become evident, in the seventeenth and eighteenth century they became closer fields with the increase of industrialization, but only in the nineteenth century with the addition of capitalism has it become strongly apparent. In the 1500’s rulers did not invest in developing new technologies, new inventions were usually created by local craftsman not by well-educated scholars (Harari, 2015). Rulers overtime began to change their view on technology and science and eventually when the first world war comes around in July of 1914, scientists were called on by their country to create a technological advantage for their side. With the given the money and resources the plethora of new inventions included poison gas, submarines, machine guns, and tanks, but the most significant weapon of them all has yet to be developed (Harari, 2015). The American Manhattan Project successfully developed the atomic bomb that was later dropped on Japan. This moment in history was the point in humanity where we had the power to actually end the world and is now one of many examples of merging science and technology together for a political agenda.
This urge that countries now have to build up their defenses and develop weapons was not always such a priority. Harari uses the mighty Roman Empire as an example, the Roman army relied on their large forces to be disciplined and organized, in order to be efficient in taking over land in battle. They never thought of organizing a research team to create more efficient weaponry, in fact their infantry stayed around the same for centuries (Harari, 2015). The reasoning behind the lack of change in technology is simply because kings and scholars did not see any economic advantage or feel so unsafe that it would be worth the time and valuable resources. In todays society all there is a tunnel vision focus on money and how much we can make.
Citations:
Harari, Y.N. (2015.) Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Retrieved from: shorturl.at/gFNPZ
The impact of Modern Medicine
As medicine became more modernized and death turned into a question of why and not when, more sapiens were able to live longer and populations began to flourish. This began happening in the middle of the nineteenth century when anesthetics like chloroform and morphine were first discovered. Since, new medicines and cures arrive every day to save our fellow man from the perils of death. Death among infants was somewhere around 25-33% until the twentieth century, and new, safer practices in health led to more people living to become adults. An example of this in Sapiens shows the fate of each of Queen Eleanor’s children, where among 16 children, 10 died during childhood. It wasn’t until her 16th child that she finally had a son who could retake the throne (Harari, 2019). Today the infant mortality rate is closer to 5/1000
Science becoming more ingrained into society meant that people became less obsessed with the fates that their religions promised them, and more open to the idea of discovery. More money was put into scientific development during this revolution, and so people started to question the certainty or reasoning for death. With that curiosity came about studies and new medicines that would solve common ailments and elongate the lives of humans. People living longer meant that populations begin to rise. When this happens more food, money, and energy are needed to take care of the growing population. The medicine revolution is what causes the needs of the sapiens to increase at the rate in which they are now. The fact that there are so many people means that space is needed for all of them, as well as schooling and jobs.
More people meant more land was needed for the rising population to live and more croplands would need to be made, more fish to be caught, and more resources to be burned. The medicine revolution is the spark that began the overconsumption and resource abuse that haunts the earth today. Although it is good to believe that the more humans we have and the longer we live the happier we will be, it is important to note that in this way we are going against the forces of nature.
Discoveries made around the logistics of things such as death and poverty caused many people and scientists to begin questioning the “truths” they were accustomed to and led to more scientific discovery and innovation. Whereas people may have once believed poverty was just a product of existence, today there is very little people that are starving to death. People may have once believed death was the point of life (Christianity, Islam) but at this point in history were now forced to admit ignorance or at least question their beliefs.
Citation:
Harari, Y. N. (2019). Sapiens: a brief history of humankind. London: Vintage.
Captain Cook’s Voyage
Nihal Dennis
Captain Cook’s Voyage occurred during the 1770’s it commonly seen as the beginning of European dominance and imperialism over the Asian continent. At the time of the voyages in late 1700, Captain Cook had far superior technology when compared to the native inhabitants of the Pacific Islands that his crew visited. This technological advantage, gained as a result of the scientific revolution, allowed Captain Cook and following European explorers a deep penetration into the Pacific Islands. This stronghold would lead to the decimation of many native tribes such as the Maori and the Tasmanians.
Prior to the introduction of European explorers, in 1775, a vast majority of the worlds economy was located in Asia. Sapiens author explains, “In 1775 Asia accounted for 80 percent of the world economy. The combined economies of India and China alone represented two-thirds of global production (sapiens).” Europeans were unable to make a large dent in the world economy prior to the Scientific Revolution due to a lack of Astronomical survey. However, the Muslim and Asian Empires were quite advanced. The hallmark of the European human-environment interactions during the Scientific Revolution are highlighted by a strong urge to conquer for knowledge versus conquering for wealth. European expansion in the name of academic growth can be further evidenced in the voyage of Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle. While this mission was certainly funded by the British Royal Palace, it was not a military or warfighting evolution. These kinds of endeavors kept European expansion and imperialism at a high level after Captain Cook’s original explorations into the Pacific.
During the Scientific Revolution the most valuable currency was knowledge. This thirst for new information funded many large European voyages and missions in England, Spain and the Netherlands. These exploratory missions allowed for the dissemination of their discoveries uncovered in the New World for immense profit. The Spanish are particularly noted for their vast expansion throughout the Mexican Peninsula and what is now known as South America in search of vast amounts of gold and ‘fountains of youth’. During the early parts of this time period, the printing press allowed knowledge to be spread at a pace that was previously unimaginable in the world.
Local European resources were under a considerable amount of strain during the Scientific Revolution, prompting monarchs to fund expensive exploratory missions with the hopes of locating resources and lands suitable to grow cash crops.
Scientific Revolution governance was carried out primarily through the power of the reigning European monarch, each of which was vying for an increasing share of the “New World”. Unbeknownst to the European colonizers, much of the “New World” had been settled and charted for many thousands of years. The lack of modern convenience, as compared to the Europeans, was often a pact made by the indigenous and the local ecosystem to take only what was needed. This form of sustainable living carried the populations of Africa and the Pacific Islands for many millennia with minor mass extinctions. The governance of these lands before the arrival of European colonizers was the environmental load and the syncopation between the indigenous people and their environments
Economic expansion in the form of divine conquest played a key role in the acceleration of European power in the Scientific Revolution. Advanced Navies were critical in defeating the thousand-year-old Asian and Pacific ports. This Naval power was also important in supporting economic expansion in the form of merchant sailing and the slave trade across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Royal Navies carried supplies and ammunition deep into conquered ports, enabling rapid expansion of the prerogatives of the prevailing monarch.
Captain Cooks Voyage has many significant outcomes. This period marks an era in humanity in which the intellectual will of the empire takes precedent over the sustainable life of humanity. In order to maintain the economic machines that the empirical banks were becoming the onset of a war for resources citizens and slaves increase. We can see this in the “discovery” and exploration of the Americas. While previous Central Asian Empires were fully aware of the existence of the American landmass they widely ignored the area because there was no economic incentive. This changes with the large banks’ armies and navies of the European Empires. These empires are also driven by the need to expand the Christian faith in the form of missionaries.
Fall 2019 Entries
Europe’s Rise to Power
The time period took place between 1700-1800s.
Europe’s rise to power came from their quest for advancements in knowledge and technologies. “European domination rested to a large extent on the military-industrial-scientific complex and technological wizardry” (Harrari, 2015). Their thirst for knowledge led them to a long and powerful journey of discovery of not only new lands they could conquer, but new technologies and scientific discoveries. They most certainly did it better than Asian countries, even without technological advantages. Harrari explains that it was Europe’s deep-rooted values, sociopolitical structures, and attitudes towards scientific ways of thinking that gave them an edge on other countries, who didn’t hold the same values.
Governance systems (GS) and Users (U) characteristics such as Government Organization (GS1) and Leadership (U5) are important in the advancement of Europe’s technology and scientific knowledge. First the government users would be the Kings and Queens who fund all the exhibitions that Europe embarked on, including ones to the Bahamas or Tasmania and Australia. This was something that for a long time no one would invest their money into because the risk factors were too high. But when a few journeys came back successful and gained Europe another territory, it became the thing to invest in. “the conquest of knowledge and the conquest of territory became ever more tightly intertwined” (Hararri, 2015). The leadership (U5), like James Cook, enabled theses exhibitions to be successful. James Cook is a great example of a leader who helped but a good name on expeditions by believing a doctor who said better nutrients for the sailors would bring them better health and they wouldn’t die during the journey (Hararri, 2015). This allowed more confidence in traveling long distances and exploring new lands.
Resource Characteristics was economic value (RU4). The economic value of these expeditions was enormous. It wasn’t always monetary value, most of the time it was land and knowledge that spurred an economic growth in Europe. The new discoveries found and brought back to Europe helped with many advancements.
This all expanded geographical maps of the world, helped increased Europe’s wealth, and advanced many scientific ideologies.
References:
Ostrom, E. (2009). A general framework for analyzing sustainability of social-ecological systems. Science,
325(5939, 419-422. http://doi.org/10.1126/science.1172133
Harari, Y. N.(2015). Sapiens: a brief history of humankind. New York: Harper.
The Secret in the Kitchen
Around 1700- late 1800s
Jonovan Peavie
The change in thinking that spurred from the scientific revolution is what allowed humanity to advance at an incredible pace. The shift from pouring the majority of a nation’s resources into religious powers, to scientific discovery and education. Modern science rose as a belief system rooted in observation, which took power out of established sources of power like a priest and into the individual. One of the main differences of modern science and any other belief system, such as religion, was an acquisition of new powers (Harari, 2014). This acquisition of new powers is seen most clearly in around 1700 Britain, with the invention of the steam engine.
The steam engine created an entirely new social climate, especially when it got refined and integrated into other parts of society. From sewing textiles, to eventually transporting people, the steam engine had almost limitless applications and it all came from changing one heat to movement (Harari, 2014). The economy exploded hand and hand with the invention as entrepreneurs developed new ways to use the technology, a relationship that is true even today. This line of thinking led us to the idea that any source of energy can be harnessed for whatever we need it to. This absolute dominance over our environment made people value science more than ever before in most societies.
The invention didn’t come overnight. It was the culmination of knowledge and observation built on top of each other, mixed with the necessity of innovation. Britain’s population boom due to advances in medicine and agriculture was putting a strain on their environment. The local forests had been cut down to their limits to provide firewood (Harari, 2014). Coal had to be used as a substitute. The environmental damage from the steam engine is staggering. Forests have to be cut down to make room for the tracks, and the tracks themselves use resources that have to be mined. On top of that the energy used to power them has to be mined, while the air pollution that plumes out is more toxic than anything else at the time.
The outcome of this development is an ideal that technology can solve whatever problems we may come across, we just may not know exactly how yet. However, it also sets the environment as a tool for our use and development, rather than something to be protected.
References:
Harari, Y. N. (2014). Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Toronto, Ontario: Signal, 117-175.