Running head: Technology – science in action.
Technology – science in action.
Mazen Alamri
Lynn University
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Technology – science in action.
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Technology – science in action.
Technology has come to define each and every aspect of our lives, with various
innovations and invention technology has made human life easier by each day. It is then true
that plays a critical role if we are to achieve a sustainable human growth and development.
Everything from the energy industry, public infrastructure, water, food, manufacturing and
mining to information technologies heavily relies on the ever changing landscape of
technological invention.
One of the areas that has significant transformation over the last decades in the
information and technology industry. This is the case especially when considering the
smartphone revolution. Not many years go communication over long distance was next to
impossibility. In the 60s phones were pieces of large equipment that were bulky and
unreliable. But with recent innovation as you can walk and talk at the same time your can
work on your phone, it is impossible to get out of touch with your cell phone.
To efficiently function, smartphones incorporate technologies from a wide range of
field. These include communication technologies since they use radio waves and antennas to
transmit commutation signals, electrical engineering and energy-based technologies, because
to work the smartphone needs to be powered. To use it as a communication tool the cell
phone requires mouth pieces and earpieces to ensure connectivity. Interestingly, modern
smartphones come with powerful cameras. You no longer need to go to the photo shop to get
a picture of yourself. To incorporate all these technologies into a single gadget requires a
great deal of innovations. Of course, these innovations and invention need to be sustainable to
minimise costs and wastage.
Journal 2.
We live in a world sustained by chemicals. Have you ever imagined a day without using
water, or what about going a whole week without taking shower? Life on earth is unimaginable
without the use of chemicals. But what are the impacts of chemicals on the environment?
There is a lot to mention when talking about chemicals and environmental sustainability.
However, in recent years scientist have raised concern over chemical manufacturing its effects
on climate change and its implication for the international community. Talking about climate
change, there is not much that can be said with mentioning technological advancement.
Especially the one relating to energy and fossil fuel emission is the cause for detrimental climate
changes.
This implies that, in as far as chemicals are good for human sustainability, they also have
negative effects on the environment but should we run away from these problems? To achieve
global environmental sustainability, we have to rely on technology. Take an example in
manufactured chemicals, chemicals can sometimes be harmful to the environment if not well
handle and disposed. As noted, early manufactured chemicals are an essential part of our lives
for a preview, our planet consist of chemicals, we eat drink foods containing minerals we dress
in clothes made of synthetic fibre manufactured from minerals and chemicals.
The most accessible chemical we have is water. Water supports life on earth without
water life on earth, just as is with other planets will be impossible. Every aspect of our lives on
earth is dependent on chemicals without which we could otherwise be living a stone age type of
life. So, it is upon as to choose use the resources we have responsibly or risk losing everything.
Sustainable production should be the new wave if we are to sustain life in the future. This should
include improvement in resource productivity, that is in energy, materials, land and water. It
should be our collective responsibility to conserve the environment.
Running head: CURRENT RESEARCH IN SPACE SCIENCE
Current Research in Space Science
Mazen Alamri
Lynn University
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Running head: CURRENT RESEARCH IN SPACE SCIENCE
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Current Research in Space Science
Hubble project has made a significant impact in the scientific world by enabling scientists to
develop a comprehensive understanding of the galaxy, the planets, and the universe. Hubble advanced
the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), which changed the scientific view of the Cosmos. This invention
simplifies the study of Galactic collisions. Hubble is remarkably the first optical telescope that operates
in space. Astronomers in the early centuries could not manage to observe the universe from space.
Space exploration of HST exceeds atmospheric distortion since it is far above light pollution and rain
clouds to enable unhindered outlook of the world. Scientists use Hubble to spot the most distant
planets, galaxies, and stars of the solar system. In this regard, its launching marked a tremendous
growth in astronomy and transition from Galileo’s telescope.
Telescope technology has made remarkable contribution in the study of astronomy. The history
of astronomy dates back to when Galileo invented the first telescope to enhance understanding of the
Earth in the cosmos. Early astronomical studies focused on the earth-bound investigation of military
tactics and surveying. Galileo managed to study the moon, Jupiter and the sun but could not explore the
entire solar system. Therefore, telescope technology has led to the revolutionization in the field of
astronomy. Hubble enables the study of baby galaxies, exoplanets, moons, and other products of the
cosmos.
Figure 1: Hubble Space Telescope
Nonetheless, human inventions cannot operate successfully without encountering challenges.
When HST was launched in 1990, its central mirror was ground inaccurately. This challenge enabled an
orbicular abnormality that hindered the capabilities of the telescope. Hubble could not manage a sharp
focus. Later in 1993, NASA’s servicing mission corrected the optics to their anticipated quality.
CLASS DISCUSSION
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Class Discussion
Mazen Alamri
Lynn University
CLASS DISCUSSION
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Class Discussion
The Environmental Problem Addressed In "Silent Spring"
The 1962 book by Carson et al (2002) advocates against the use of chemical pesticides like DDT
on farms, which led to the Environmental Protection Agency banning the use of the substance in
1972. According to Carson et al (2002), the unsafe use of chemical pesticides could create a
ripple effect leading to the extinction of many plant and animal species. The “Silent Spring”
condemns businesspersons and scientists who put monetary profit ahead of the welfare of
humanity. The book acknowledges the reality of effects caused by the accumulation of chemicals
in ecosystems. According to Carson et al (p 103, 2012), “Over increasingly large areas of the
United States, spring now comes unheralded by the return of the birds, and the early mornings
are strangely silent where once they were filled with the beauty of bird song”. “Silent Spring”
questioned whether the government was in league with the agricultural chemical industry for
permitting the use of unsafe pesticides.
Examine the work of Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson was among the first renowned environmental activists following the publishing of
various books, which brought her to the public limelight. Before writing the book “Silent
Spring”, Rachel conducted marine research and wrote of undersea adventures to the ocean floor.
Rachel Carson marveled at the Earth’s diversity and beauty but feared safety and ecological
effects from the misuse of chemical pesticides. Rachel Carson warns of unintended
consequences coming from the use of new technologies and argues over the issue of scientific
responsibility for the welfare of the environment and all living organisms. Rachel Carson warns
about making progress, which has underlying disastrous effects. Nonetheless, the activism efforts
CLASS DISCUSSION
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from Rachel to ban DDT had far-reaching consequences because scientists used the compound to
manufacture pesticide used to kill mosquitoes and prevent malaria. The ban on DDT did not just
help in the preservation efforts of the environment, but affected DDT used to combat malaria.
The “Law of Unintended Consequences”
The YouTube video by Seeger (2008) depicts ‘the law of unintended consequences’
where a small town suffers from an infestation of fleas because they poisoned all the rabbits.
When the townspeople poisoned the rabbits (so they do not infest their farms), the town dogs ate
the dead rabbits. Hawks also ate the dead rabbits. Mice increased in the town because of the
absence of hawks to eat them. The townspeople decided to poison the rats, but their cats ate the
dead rats and died too. In the absence of dogs or cats, fleas went to the human population,
showing how unintended consequences stem from direct actions. According to Carson et al
(2002), DDT in pesticides would trigger a chain reaction leading to unintended consequences,
like the death of many species down the food chain. If DDT pesticides killed all earthworms in a
town, ‘the law of unintended consequences’ dictates numerous effects down the food chain,
affecting other organisms diversely.
Does this fit into the scientific method?
The ‘law of unintended consequences’ fits into the scientific method where an action
yields a direct and equal reaction; the elimination of one species due to environmental
degradation would affect other species down the food chain.
Examine one of these issues: bottled water, antibiotics, plastics for packaging, pet
snakes, pet pigs in Florida, subsidized corn sugar, the drug Thalidomide, beach
nourishment, opioids, cell phones or any similar topic.
CLASS DISCUSSION
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The use of single-use plastics such as straws, plastic cups, and polythene bags carries
devastating effects on many ecosystems, albeit their continued use and legality in many
countries. Single-use plastics usually end up in sewers and waterways leading to clogging, while
others end up in oceans, affecting marine diversity. Single-use plastics also pollute landfills,
because of their non-biodegradable nature. Countries like India, Rwanda, and Kenya banned the
use of single-use plastics but large polluters like China and the U.S. are yet to realize the effects
of plastics for packaging.
Compare the actual results with theoretical expectations
Theoretical expectations do not hold plastics for packaging as a serious environmental
concern but the actual results show the devastation done to oceans and land from plastic
packaging. Theoretical expectations could downsize the seriousness of an issue but actual results
reveal the damage done by plastics for packaging. Theoretical expectations of environmental
damage do not reveal any unintended consequences, unlike the actual results.
CLASS DISCUSSION
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References
Carson, R., Wilson, E. O., Lear, L. J., Darling, L., & Darling, L. (2002). Silent spring. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin.
Seeger, P. (2008). The people are scratching, as performed by Pete Seeger. YouTube. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyGYXjyrvhY&feature=youtu.be
Mazen Alamri
Darwin
Lynn University
1- Explore how a scientific breakthrough can change society, as well as a field of
science.
Scientific discoveries and breakthroughs can not only alter the field of science but
the society as a whole. Scientific advances change the orientation of a community when
they are controversial and go against prevailing beliefs. For instance, Darwin's scientific
discovery about the evolution of plants and animals went against the common belief of
the people about the origin of life. Therefore, it altered the science community and
disrupted society's beliefs. A scientific breakthrough changes a culture when the
discovery articulates new ways of doing things and comes with further information for
the people.
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Why is Darwin such a divisive figure in science and society?
Darwin is such a divisive figure in the scientific community and the society
because of the controversial nature of his study about the origin of life. Darwin argues
that life began in simple forms and later evolved into more complex forms. The view was
divisive to society because most people in society believed that life was created by a
superior being. Also, Darwin is a divisive figure in the scientific community because not
all scientists agree with his findings.
3- Describe the research covered by Darwin's lifetime of work. Connect with the
scientific method.
The research covered by Darwin in his life revolves around the concept of
evolution. Darwin observed the evidence that suggests evolution and discovered evidence
to support the possibility of some species thriving over others. For instance, natural
selection denotes only the species that can survive best lives long. The research is in line
with the scientific method, which requires careful observation and criticism of any work.
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Review the definition of "eugenics."
The concept of eugenics entails allowing populations with positive and admirable
features to reproduce and preventing those without the commendable features from
reproducing. Eugenics aims to ensure that the people that reproduce are those that
compete successfully in society.
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Can we use Darwin's ideas to improve human society?
Using Darwin's ideas in an attempt to improve human society will result in
division and social strife. The ideas of having been used to justify elements such as racial
supremacy, hence racism, eugenics, and other factors that cause high levels of inequality
in society. Therefore, instead of improving human society, applying the ideas of Darwin
can result in undue division of the society.
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