This Was the Modern World
Science finds. Industry applies. Man conforms.
This was the official, unofficial, official motto for the World’s Fair of 1933 (in Chicago) celebrating the Century of Progress…1833-1933.
Just because I am willing to poke fun of the WORSHIP of science in all its forms, please do not take this to mean that I am some anti-science, anti-technology boob – one of those “L” word guys. I’m blogging aren’t I? I found the World’s Fair Slogan on the friggin’ internets didn’t I?
While I love the Flanders line: “There are some things we don’t want to know! IMPORTANT THINGS!”
I don’t believe that junk – it just makes me laugh.
…this willingness to make fun of technology doesn’t have anything to do with my church. In fact, my church has a proud (although misunderstood) tradition of embracing the scientific realm – beginning with Albert the Great (not Fat Albert, although he’s cool too) and explained and explored more eloquently by St. Thomas Aquinas. Both thinkers found that reason & science have a defensible autonomy and ultimately faith and reason were compatible.
The name of the band I used to be in was more of an absurdist/passive-aggressive fuck you to technology than anything I think now - or anything I’d do today…and I didn’t believe in shit back then.
I’m not interested in drawing people’s attention to the present dangers of science and technology. Who’s looking at your e-existence? I don’t care about the bio-techno-horrors of our time. Are they cloning super-soldiers from my pubes that fall off in the Y locker room? Hey, it could help the Army develop a better jump shot. All instances when I’ve touched on the topic – in songs (What am I some sort of 19th Century topical song writer?) – in classes I’ve taught – in everywhere, but conversation with friends, where I’ll tell you what I think of embryonic stem cell research…
…but in all public endeavors – I’ve been careful to keep the references to the WORSHIP or the hubristic dangers associated with science and technology in the past…the automobile and what it did to some made-up, shit town in Indiana…the emergence of positivism and science as the prospect of implementing the scientific method in the study of human social interaction…and hopefully as a guide for POLITICS!!!!...and that came (& went, in reasonable minds) in the 19th Century.
I’m interested in exploring these things myself – and presenting, for anyone who cares enough to dial in…here’s how silly these caveman, nitwits looked believing that 1833-1933 represents the greatest techno-betterment of man in his history and the best is yet to come. Weren’t THEY stupid? We can laugh at those dopes.
Anyhow, I’m pissed at hotmail because my their server hasn’t been serving me since last night. I really want to suggest the name Century of Progress to the fellas. I’ve put some thought into this – I love the slogan…we can steal some crap from the World’s Fair posters…the lettering, images – whatever…
...but I can’t do our little e-mail chain. Damn you Al Gore! Lube up your internet! It's moving too slow for my taste.
This was the official, unofficial, official motto for the World’s Fair of 1933 (in Chicago) celebrating the Century of Progress…1833-1933.
Just because I am willing to poke fun of the WORSHIP of science in all its forms, please do not take this to mean that I am some anti-science, anti-technology boob – one of those “L” word guys. I’m blogging aren’t I? I found the World’s Fair Slogan on the friggin’ internets didn’t I?
While I love the Flanders line: “There are some things we don’t want to know! IMPORTANT THINGS!”
I don’t believe that junk – it just makes me laugh.
…this willingness to make fun of technology doesn’t have anything to do with my church. In fact, my church has a proud (although misunderstood) tradition of embracing the scientific realm – beginning with Albert the Great (not Fat Albert, although he’s cool too) and explained and explored more eloquently by St. Thomas Aquinas. Both thinkers found that reason & science have a defensible autonomy and ultimately faith and reason were compatible.
The name of the band I used to be in was more of an absurdist/passive-aggressive fuck you to technology than anything I think now - or anything I’d do today…and I didn’t believe in shit back then.
I’m not interested in drawing people’s attention to the present dangers of science and technology. Who’s looking at your e-existence? I don’t care about the bio-techno-horrors of our time. Are they cloning super-soldiers from my pubes that fall off in the Y locker room? Hey, it could help the Army develop a better jump shot. All instances when I’ve touched on the topic – in songs (What am I some sort of 19th Century topical song writer?) – in classes I’ve taught – in everywhere, but conversation with friends, where I’ll tell you what I think of embryonic stem cell research…
…but in all public endeavors – I’ve been careful to keep the references to the WORSHIP or the hubristic dangers associated with science and technology in the past…the automobile and what it did to some made-up, shit town in Indiana…the emergence of positivism and science as the prospect of implementing the scientific method in the study of human social interaction…and hopefully as a guide for POLITICS!!!!...and that came (& went, in reasonable minds) in the 19th Century.
I’m interested in exploring these things myself – and presenting, for anyone who cares enough to dial in…here’s how silly these caveman, nitwits looked believing that 1833-1933 represents the greatest techno-betterment of man in his history and the best is yet to come. Weren’t THEY stupid? We can laugh at those dopes.
Anyhow, I’m pissed at hotmail because my their server hasn’t been serving me since last night. I really want to suggest the name Century of Progress to the fellas. I’ve put some thought into this – I love the slogan…we can steal some crap from the World’s Fair posters…the lettering, images – whatever…
...but I can’t do our little e-mail chain. Damn you Al Gore! Lube up your internet! It's moving too slow for my taste.
posted by edP | 7:24 AM
10 Comments:
Hey Ed,
Um, well... I hate to be the one to break this to you, but nowadays the "L" word is entirely something else.
Those damn labia lickin' Luddites.
Dammit. I'm stuck in the whatever century I'm stuck in
Q: What do you call the folly of scientists who have the audacity to clone armies from your errant dingleberries in the 'Y' locker room?
A: Pure Pubris.
They were dopes and we are probably dopes too. The problem with a lot of science is that it acts much like evolution. It has no ultimate outcome. It has no direction. Not all science, but some. You always hear stories of discoveries that occurred by accident. Like the ulcer medicine that turned out to be nutrisweet. Is this guy a genious or a dope? Depends on who you ask.
Many scientists will be like, "We are gonna find a cure for cancer." But the research they do may just make it possible for me to grow hamburgers from my elbows. It gets sidetracked and there are unexpected outcomes. Searching for knowledge often does not lead where you want but isn't that the fun of discovery?
I am not sure if this relates to what you said but that's what popped into my head when I read your posting. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a chicken in the oven. I can't wait to see how it comes out.
See - Mikey knows what I'm talking about here...
I can't just say we are dopes...it's easier for us to see how we are the dopes if we can see dopes from the past behaving in a dopey way because they think their present is like living in the future.
Shut up ed
I don't think you have a problem with science in and of itself at all. I think you have a problem with science as a philosophy. This is not science itself and is really society. Not all scientists are smart and not all science is good. The problem comes in when we implement and conform to "bad science." The onus of that does not just lie in the scientific community. Nowadays there is so much influence on experimental procedure from financial incentives it is a real challenge to screen out all the garbage. But I digress, what is that saying? The advance of science can be measured by the rate at which the exceptions to previously held laws accumulate. Corollaries: 1. Exceptions always outnumber the rules. 2. There are always exceptions to establish exceptions. 3. By the time one masters the exceptions, one recalls the rules to which they apply!
Anonymous AKA Ms Meat Head. Grunt what she said.
It is not should we do it in the name of science....
It is who's goin to pay for it...
Also, the World's Fair was not really about science per se. It was really more about trying to "out-do" the French.
Out-do the French with temporary buildings made out of plaster, that is!
"Look what science has brought us! Buildings just as attractive as yours, but temporary! America! Fuck YEAH!"
This is very interesting site... chanel knockoff handbags Century authentic designer handbags at wholesale prices facts about baby allergies Targus jackie leather tote Divorce and life insurance Type2 vw parts evista cancer window security software delsey luggage helios tote reporter bag black grey Twinkle twinkle tote body builder swiss ball exercises vip samsonite hand luggage bags Remeron zoloft tishman speyer chrysler building
Post a Comment
<< Home