The Human Genome Project

The Human Genome Project was created to "identify all the approximately 30,000 genes in human DNA; determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA; store this information in databases; improve tools for data analysis; transfer related technologies to the private sector; and address the ethical, legal, and social issues that might arise from the project." This project was supported by the US government, but was an international effort. Indeed, the project was undertaken by the United States, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Japan. The project stands as a symbol of more than just human kind's scientific progress, but also as a symbol of international cooperation. Technology used to be a thing to hord, to keep to one's self to make one's country stronger. Now, science can be and is used to benefit the entire world. Such a international cooperation for the sake of improving our understanding of the human body, and thus how to keep it healthy, is a clear indicator that science is now a tool that can be used not only to place one society ahead of another, but to benefit the entire world.

"Human Genome Project." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2010. < http://www.americanhistory.abc-clio.com >.

The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project was a government funded research project whose purpose was to create a nuclear bomb. It was created in response to a successful creation of atomic fission in Berlin. Fearing that the Germans might use this technology against America in WWII, Albert Einstein and other scientist convinced president Franklin D. Roosevelt to fund research with the goal of creating a nuclear weapon before Germany. This lead to the creation of the Office of Scientific Research and Development in 1941 which coordinated The Manhattan Project as well as other government funded scientific R&D. Once it was determined that a nuclear bomb could be created before the end of the war, the Army took full control of the project. Through hard work and top priority treatment, the project soon proved to be a success. At the launch, some of the scientist who worked on the project began to worry about the power of the weapon and the possibility of an arms race. Despite this, the Bomb was used several months later and helped bring an end to the second world war.

I have known of the Manhattan Project for many years, but my knowledge was filled with many common misconceptions and fallacies. I always pictured the government asking for the aid of high profile scientist to create the atomic bomb, not the other way around. I also never knew that the bomb was created in retaliation to German research. My perception of the Manhattan Project has always been that it was a highly secretive, aggressive government project in which brilliant minds were assembled by the government to create a weapon so powerful that it would redefine war, and I do not think that I am alone in thinking this. Learning about the project has been another sobering moment in American Studies in which I have learned that I too have fallen victim to popular misconceptions about American history. I too have become attached to a imaginary American history that only blinds me from the inherent complexity of all events of past, future, and present time.

"Manhattan Project." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2010. < http://www.worldhistory.abc-clio.com >.

Eric Foner and John A. Garraty. "Manhattan Project." The Reader's Companion to American History Dec. 1 1991: n.p. SIRS Researcher. Web. 31 January 2010. < http://sks.sirs.com >.

American Philosophical Society

The American Philosophical Society was one of the first organizations formed by America for the purpose of scientific advancement. Founded by Benjamin Franklin, it was a place were high class members of society came together to discus and stimulate research. Though this research was still very crude, the society served as a symbol of America's departure from Europe's speculative form of science. One important quality of the organization was that its purpose was not only to peruse a greater understanding of the natural universe, but to share that information to the general public. This echoed the American attitude towards socioeconomic differences at the time . Though those who were wealthy and educated considered themselves elite, they also valued the population as a whole. Just as after independence the masses could vote, but only the elite would run, only the elite would lead the research while the public was merely allowed the opportunity to follow it. While this may sound negative, this was a large improvement over many established systems in which education only was given to the rich, never the poor. This attitude is what most likely lead to science becoming an individual practice among the middle class in the 19th century.

"American Philosophical Society." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2010. < http://www.worldhistory.abc-clio.com >.

Science In America

Much of America's success is due to its utilization of science. Early in the development of the country, many high class citizens were interested in scientific studies. In the 19th Century, scientific study changed from a hobby for the upper class to a practical occupation for middle class. Indeed, many middle class individuals began developing technologies to assist them in their every day labor. Such applied scientist received no formal training and had no standard scientific system. Still, the spirit of innovation was clear. It was commonly accepted that scientific innovations were necessary to promote the growth of prosperity. This idea was also accepted by the federal government, which funded select scientific organizations and education reform that promoted formal training in science. Science began to become more professionalized. In the mid 1800s, more organized scientific communities were being formed, scientific standards were being developed, and scientific education was being further expanded. Informing the public of scientific progress became a priority as well. New publications, such as Scientific American, were created to inform the public of such advancement and became fairly popular. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that pure sciences, such as the studies of chemistry and theoretical physics, started to take off. America soon became a leader in these expanding studies of science as well as the applied sciences. The government continued to support this scientific development, and even hired theoretical physicists to create the atomic bomb which effectively ended WWII.This government support in matters relating to national security continued through the cold war and continues today. During the 1970s, however, there was a lot of government funding in life sciences. Even in this recent history, the federal government saw the importance in promoting science. Last night, Barack Obama spoke of further supporting scientific research. Addressing his fellow politicians, he stated, "we need to encourage American innovation." I concur, innovation is more than just a luxury, it is a necessity. Only by remaining on the forefront of scientific research and development can America remain a Superpower, for it was by pushing the limits of technology that America became the mighty nation it is today.

Science in America." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 28 Jan. 2010.
< http://www.americanhistory.abc-clio.com >.

The History of American Science and Technology: Intro

Science has always appealed to me. The expansion and application of technology is an exciting process to witness in action, and I feel it will be just as interesting in retrospect. Even just yesterday, the iPad was revealed and people from around the world stopped to examine this new breed of computer. While I have only learned about the advancement of science in the terms of my own advancement through the materials, examining more recent discoveries in the scope of American History will be an interesting journey. I am sure that I will find all sorts of interesting tidbits on the origin of common technologies and commonly accepted scientific theories and their impact on society. I feel that many people take for granted the extreme power of modern technology, and I hope that I will gain a new appreciation for it through my research.

Breakfast + Lunch/Dinner = Awesome

Breakfast is horrible. It is always rushed and never satisfying. despite these horrible qualities, breakfast has one property that makes it the third best thing in the world. When combined with kunch and dinner, breakfast tansforms into delightful activities that are more rewarding and enjoyable than any other passtime known to man (or woman). Brunch and Brinner - both are always capitalized due to their importance - are simply the meaning of life. So next time you don't know what to do, don't know what to eat, just grab some eggs, pancakes, waffles, coffee, hot chocalote, or any other breakfast-food-favorite and chow down. Just make sure that it is past 11:00am.

State of The Union

Barack Obama spoke of the lack of trust Americans have for their government. Such distrust can only exist when there is a separation, when the government is a tool that is out of the reach of average citizens. He alluded to this later in the speech. He said, "We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions." This issue of the separation of the people from the government is an issue to often ignored. When people feel that they cannot influence the government, the government is not acting as a democracy. People often think that candidates are elected based on how well their opinions match their own, and that these elections are the only influence they have on the government the live under. This is only as true as one makes it. The division between citizen and civil servant is as much the fault of the government as it is the people. The government was established in such a way that that the people have the power to create the change they desire. The government more than allows this, it depends on this to keep it in line. James Baldwin wrote of this in his essay A Talk to Teachers. He argued, "The obligation of anyone who thinks of himself as responsible is to examine society and try to change it and to fight it – at no matter what risk. This is the only hope society has. This is the only way societies change." Indeed, no change can come without action. Thus, people act for the change they desire. If they don't seek what they desire, who will? This is why the common cynicism towards the government is not only an indicator of flawed political practices, but also a indicator of a flawed public opinion that the people are powerless. This distrust and distain towards the government with no action being taken to attempt to rid it of the causes of these malicious opinions is exactly what deprives the people of their power. The complaints may be justifiable, but the fact that the people are content to softly mutter their dissatisfaction to themselves, while both asking for change in their silent complaints but not expecting it, is the knell that mourns of the doom of the American ideals of liberty and justice. Without the safeguard of public action and demands, the government slowly will drift towards a government run in the interest of the governors instead of the governed.

The State of the Union Transcript

A Talk To Teachers

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