Although this project only covered a few "episodes" or time periods of the history of science, I believe there was much to be learned from these ages. I was well educated on the ideals and theories of Carl Linnaeus and Charles Darwin of the 18th and 19th centuries respectively, but had little knowledge of what natural history was before these great researchers. From this web project I have learned certainly more than any term paper could teach me.
Certainly taking a step out of today's modern scientific explorations and researching the ultimate basics of fundamental science was key to understanding how zoology began. Aristotle simply recorded his observations in extreme detail. Indirectly, people that came before the education push, such as the Cro-Magnons, used animals they encountered on a hunt or every day life to record in cave etchings. These are some of the primitave and earliest recordings of detailed observation with regards to animal species. Secondly, I thought the middle ages were a time period of turmoil and plague. But, scientifically there was much to be learned from this period. Albertus Magnus and others helped compile complete works on marine organisms and others. There were many social influences to understand the human body during this time, but zoological studies continued to inspire some scientists. Other mythological and magical imputs altered the way some percieved animals during the medieval times, especially when new world organisms began arriving in the old world. Finally, the early modern period (which was one of my favorites) began to lead society into a more current form of zoology. The technology began to blossom and microscopes revealed new foreign organisms. People began to think more rather than just record details.
This project has greatly changed the way I thought of ancient, medieval and the Scientific Revolution periods of zoology. It is hard to imagine a scientific world without internet, genetics, and advanced technology. I can barely imagine the struggle to become educated or get my hands on a printed book! Many of the other students expressed intrest in my web page throughout this semester. There were questions regarding how zoology impacted medicinal studies much in the way botany influenced medicine. During these periods scientists conducted research as a hobby not necessarily as a career. Many people did not think it was worthwhile to study zoological aspects because it was not as beneficial as medical research. In much the same way, in present time zoology and botanical studies are not the highest paying career fields. However, the satisfaction and continuing intrest of the world around us will continue to prosper. How can someone not be the slightest intrigued about what lies at the deepest part of the ocean, or how one species affects another? It is this spark in a few people that help people understand what is occurring in nature. And maybe someday zoology and other natural history studies will aide current cultural conflicts on disease, global warming, and even carbon efficient resources. It makes me think what will generations down the line think of our "episode" in time?
Algae as Biofuel?
Image Bio's:
"'Pond Scum' the Ultimate Green Energy?" 3 April 2008. Smartcompany.com
Inhabitat.com. Accessed 8 December 2008.
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