THE VISUALIZATION OF SCIENCE

Of the most interesting tangents of these pages is the visualization that is at the core of science.

When you start a project like Transparent Drawing, you don’t know all of the tangents that will be generated.  I guess the tangents are a signal that the project is worthwhile.

Still, it has been a revelation to learn of the great similarities of both the scientific and design processes.  Both have at their core a visualization.

When I am reading now, I can’t help but be attuned to any reference to this notion of scientific visualization.  Two previous pages which have followed this topic:  ALGORITHMIC DESIGN and FACTUAL DESIGN.

Here is another.

In the book Black Hole Blues by Janna Levin, she chronicles the history of the discovery of gravitational waves.  One of the reasons her book is so fascinating is her portrayal of the cast of characters who have devoted their lives to this endeavor.  We mentioned one of these pioneers, John Archibald Wheeler, on a previous page.

Here is another.  Levin is writing about Ron Drever, who was a pioneer in the search for gravitational waves.  Levin writes,

“Ron cultivated the aura of a scientific Mozart…a childlike spirit attached to a wondrous mind that just seemed to emanate astonishing compositions.”

Levin goes on to say,

“He roamed that Exploratorium (laboratory) unconventionally but creatively, in a gale of his own thoughts conjured up in pictures more than equations.”

I mean, how great is that?!?  A scientific Mozart.  Pictorial compositions in his head.  The minimization of mathematical equations.  A conjurer of pictures rather than equations.

Levin tells us that this scientific genius composed his theories visually.  That is, of course, exactly what we do.  As we problem solve, we visualize.  Alas, scientists do also.

Which begs one of the questions that has been asked many times in these pages;  why is there a 180 degree phase differential in elementary school between science and the arts?  How many drawings did you make in elementary school science class?  Zero, I’ll bet.  This disparity is a cultural tragedy.

Levin gets the last word,

“This ability to intuit without recourse to ordinary logic no doubt lent that extra magical aura to his reputation as a genius…”

1.    Levin, Janna.  Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space.  Alfred A. Knopf;  New York.  2016.  P 50-51.