Tim's Discovery example essay topic

- a short discussion of how Tim's discoveries have impacted our knowledge of the origins of our species - The discovery of the skulls at Herto and their subsequent classification has given us a window into a time that was previously closed to us. Where before we had only speculation, now we have a bit of evidence upon which we can base our assumptions. It seems to be a critically important distinction. It is amazing to me how detailed a picture scientists have been able to create with what is really a very small fossil record, especially when it comes to hominids. The first discoveries of hominid fossils, "Lucy" and the Java man, etc., were dramatic because they opened an entire new window into the past, and substantiated the embattled theory of the evolutionary nature of human emergence on the planet.

Tim's discovery does not have the same kind of public drama, and only within his own peer group (and perhaps among those of us who have been allowed to have a closer look inside) is the real importance noted. The Herto skulls write a new chapter in the book that paleontologists are writing to describe our most remote ancestors. There are more chapters to be written, and more to be learned by the study of these skulls as well. what you found most interesting about the lecture I am having a hard time sorting out anything that I found "most" interesting. The entire lecture fascinated me from beginning to end, as did the wonderful Q&A at the Pauling House the following morning.

I was impressed by Tim's extremely empirical approach and the contrast he made between his own work, and the work of those from other disciplines. His attitude about "the anthropologists" was a kind of playful disrespect, which served for me to highlight the difference between science which is based upon evidence and that which is based more upon logic and speculation. Both have their place, and it was nice to be able to see the nature of the lens through which those perspectives are developed. I appreciated the way Tim shared what his work in the field is like. I also appreciated how he showed us the link between the discoveries and their publication in magazines like Time. Yet another lens opening another perspective, this one to a wider, less informed audience, but one that is powerfully affected by the findings and in return is a powerful agent for or against its continuation.

I appreciated the look into the local Ethiopian population and how they both assist and hinder the scientific work. I really appreciated the story, told in the Q&A, of how the Zambian government ensures cooperation of the local population in preserving the big game population. One of our most pressing problems worldwide is sharing economic resources while at the same time preserving the natural resources which can be converted to cash. I wonder if this approach might work in the efforts to preserve the rain forests. - what you think our society gains by learning the knowledge that Tim's team has brought us Western society is deeply interested in the study of the past, in practically any discipline.

We debate what the founding fathers meant by the second amendment, we search for evidence of Noah's ark; we dig for the remnants of ancient Troy and King Tut. We research our family tree. We really want to know where we came, and to what extent the old stories are true if at all, and if Darwin's theories are accurate. The knowledge that comes from Tim's discovery enables us to know more certainly about some of these things. I don't know for sure how to place a value on this knowledge. Personally, I think as a society we may be a little too caught up in the tale of the past, and a little too indifferent about what we are doing right now.

That is why I think the work of IS EPP in establishing a dialogue between science, technology and society, is extremely important. And the work of Tim White and others like him enable that dialogue to have a forum. - what you think our society should do (if anything) because of the knowledge that Tim's team has uncovered I don't know that this particular knowledge should precipitate any social action. It is another piece fit into a vast puzzle, and that work is ongoing. I think that we value this work enough that we should continue to support it.

I don't think that it has a great deal of practical value in the sense that it might help solve the world's pressing problems in any direct way. I would much rather that my government support Tim White than create ever more sophisticated ways of waging war. It seems that the best I can hope for at present is that it will do both.