Shawn Martin SHARP Conference June, 2017 A Tale of Two Chemists: Academic Journals and the Technology of Science Communication Shawn Martin SHARP Conference June, 2017
Science Communication - Journals Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society – 1662 Transactions of the American Philosophical Society - 1769 Journal of American Science - 1818 Journal of the American Medical Association – 1847 Journal of the American Chemical Society – 1876 Science – 1880 Publications of the Modern Language Association (PMLA) - 1884 Physical Review – 1893 American Historical Review - 1895
J. Lawrence Smith (1818-1883) Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Lawrence_Smith#/media/File:John_Lawrence_Smith_by_Tony_Rogue,_1854.jpg
Theophilus A. Wylie (1810-1895) Image Source: http://fedora.dlib.indiana.edu:8080/fedora/get/iudl:1128080/LARGE
J. Lawrence Smith Publications 145 scientific publications Most in American Journal of Science Many in European Journals Most well known work: Mineralogy and Chemistry: Original Researches (1873)
Theophilus A. Wylie Publications Indiana University: Its History from 1820, when Founded to 1890 (1891) “Teeth and Bones of Elphas Primogenius” in American Journal of Science (1859) “Interesting Report of Prof. Wylie of the State University.” Indianapolis Journal (1869) “Rain of Spider Webs” Scientific American (1881) “The Connection of the Mind with the Material World” The Current (1886)
J. Lawrence smith “In our days a useful discovery is scarcely made, or a happy application of one found out before it is published, described in the scientific journals, or other technical periodicals . . . . From these multiplied and diverse efforts . . . arises an industry which has no sooner sprung into existence than it becomes prosperous” - “The Century’s Progress in Industrial Chemistry,” American Chemist (1874)
J. Lawrence Smith “It is a very common attempt nowadays for scientists to transcend the limits of their legitimate studies; and in doing this they run into speculations apparently the most unphilosophical, wild, and absurd. . . Science is only an accurate record of the processes of nature.” “I firmly believe that there is less connection between science and religion than there is between jurisprudence and astronomy, and the sooner this is understood the better it will be for both.” – Presidential Address to American Association for Advancement of Science (1873)
J. Lawrence Smith “This very labor [teaching] unfits him for that free exercise of the mind which leads to new ideas and discoveries. He becomes an educational drudge instead of an intellectual scientist.” – Presidential Address to American Association for Advancement of Science (1873)
T. A. Wylie “Learning or knowledge is like the stock of goods, and wisdom the ability to arrange and display it, and dispose of it. In education it is of importance to acquire the stock of ideas, but of more importance to acquire skill in the arrangement and use of them.” – Baccalaureate Address (1859)
T. A. Wylie “Yesterday recommenced teaching. . . . Teaching comes quite natural to me. I fear that it will be the trade into which I will eventually sink. Today taught my 3 hours.” – T. A. Wylie Diary - May 31, 1836 “His proficiency in his department, his eagerness, willingness, and energy, with which he instructs his classes leads us to say, none are like him, and none could fill his position as well as he.” – The Dagger (1878)
T. A. Wylie “For some who are unable to go beyond the first rudiments of knowledge, it is often time lost in endeavoring to develop powers of the mind which nature has not given them. For them something preeminently practical which a machine might do. . . Is certainly best. It is nearly the same with respect to those whose sole object is to make money. The development of the moral powers is frequently to these more of a disadvantage than an advantage.” - Lecture Before the Teacher’s Institute (1876)
T. A. Wylie “It is well known that many men eminent for their scientific knowledge. . . Seem zealous in their efforts to make the revelations of science contradict the word of God. They are not contented with the candid presentation of what seems to be the truth and their own deductions of that truth.” “There are several things to be looked at besides the plain literal meaning of words. . . Truth loving astronomers use language which does not exactly represent facts but appearances.” - God of Nature and of Revelation (1871) “Speculation, we mean with respect to the origin and causes of things, is a very excellent mental exercise.” – On Truth (1878)
Smith & Wylie “Wednesday morning address by J. Lawrence Smith, in connection with the dedication of New building & by Dr. Owen - Both good & appropriate.” – T. A. Wylie Diary – July 5, 1874
Two Views of science Communication J. Lawrence Smith Professors should perform scientific research, not teach Science about recording nature, not philosophical speculation T. A. Wylie Professors should teach Knowledge, including science needs to be integrated See these differences in how these two “chemists” communicate
Conclusions How should scientists create “impact”? Teaching Publication What is purpose of research? Fostering industry Integrating knowledge
Conclusions These debates are not entirely new Understanding the ways that universities and science communication formed may help to understand current dilemmas Both these scholars created “impact” and their repercussions even for modern scholars
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