080: Learning From The History of Science - Pamela H Smith

Guest OverviewBorn and raised in a small isolated California town, influenced by what she describes as a ‘consistent, persistent, and gentle’ math teacher father and the ‘artistic and creative’ mother, serendipity led her to discover her love of the history of science at Wollongong University in Australia and then commit her life to be a historian of science - is this weeks guest Pamela H Smith. Pamela is a Professor of History at Columbia University and Founding Director of the Center for Science and Society where she leads the Making and Knowing Research Project. In part one of this two-parter, we discuss Pamela’s upbringing and her journey into the history of science. We also discuss the evolution of science, human progress through the centuries, creativity, curiosity and the acceleration of knowledge and the influence of social organization and networks as our economies and trade networks developed. We also discuss the growth of cities, the emergence of artisan class and changing roles they played. In Part two we discuss how Pamela established the Making and Knowing Research Project, its purpose and we discuss the origins of her most recent launch - The Secrets of Craft and Nature in Renaissance France. A Digital Critical Edition and its English Translation. That might sound dry to many but this is a remarkable sixteenth-century manuscript that contains over 900 recipes for making art objects, medical remedies, and materials for the household and workshop. Pamela explains how the craft workshop practices record extensive first-hand experimentation with natural materials and provide unique insights into the material, technical, and intellectual world of the late sixteenth century and bring a better understanding of how and why nature was investigated, collected, and used in art in early modern Europe. It sheds light on the origins of the natural sciences in the creative labors of Renaissance artists and artisans’ workshops. The digital critical edition is an open-source resource is available for anyone to experiment and follow the recipes and directions. We also cover her views of education, failure, persistence and the need to create a more evolved and sustainable economic model. Please enjoy and share this extensive exploration and mind-expanding journey through history of science with Pamela H Smith.  What we discuss:Pamela’s upbringing in a small Sierra Nevada community and the freedom she had to explore and play in the wilderness.  The influence of the consistent, persistent, and gentle math teacher father and the artistic and creative streak of her mother. Living with frugality and environmental awareness at an early age.Her media consumption habits of one radio station and Time Magazine compared to today’s children. Schooling in California in the 60’s and ’70s and the importance of creativity and not testing.The lack of history in the curriculum. Developing her worldview and the influence of Buckminster FullerMoving to Australia in her final year of high school and developing her love of Science Attending University in Wollongong and how she serendipitously encountered the History of Science as part of her DegreeThe development of the science and the investment in knowledge-makingWe discuss progress, science, and creativity and the acceleration of knowledgePamela reflects on science and human engagement in nature and natural materials and the influence of social organization and networksThe emergence of technological development and trade networks that accelerated science, knowledge and social scientific theories Development of national science foundations in the 1660s We discuss curiosity through the ages and quest for knowledge and the emergence of cities and the artisan class. Development of guilds and trade association and the changing perception of mind-work and hand-work. Pam...

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