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Faith in scientific images
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 7:00AM A book review in yesterday's Seed Magazine grabbed my attention. Veronique Greenwood, in an article entitled 'Faith and the Scientific Image' examines Kelly Wilder's new book Photography and Science (Reaktion Books).
Greenwood writes: "Imaging is one of the foundations of modern science. It can also be one of its most exciting elements for young scientists—nowhere is the pursuit of truth and the revelation of the invisible as well embodied as in the scientific image."
I've always been fascinated by the way astronomers 'bend the truth' in their beautiful depictions of far-away galaxies.
This image (NASA/courtesy of nasaimages.org.) was produced when NASA's Spitzer, Hubble, and Chandra space observatories teamed up to create a multi-wavelength, false-colored view of the M82 galaxy.
X-ray data recorded by Chandra appears in blue; infrared light recorded by Spitzer appears in red; Hubble's observations of hydrogen emission appear in orange, and the bluest visible light appears in yellow-green.
The image is amazing, awe-inspiring. But as Greenwood notes, "These manipulations can foster pervasive misunderstandings among the public about how the world really works and what science is able to illuminate."
So, perhaps rather sadly, even as we use our technology to look into the far reaches of space the photographs we produce are really just images of what we would prefer to find. In that respect, we are looking so far and yet only seeing a reflection of ourselves.
Reader Comments (4)
"In that respect, we are looking so far and yet only seeing a reflection of ourselves."
Interesting observation!
Of course Hemingway believed that one must become an objective observer to be able to see clearly ... his particular approach to writing "Death in the Afternoon" ... yet it is possible to be truly objective? I think not. But if no, is everything simply relative? Is everything illusion ... or is reality always clouded by our misperceptions?
One of the folks that I admire is Stanley Hauerwas, a narrative theologian, who believes that all "vision" is narratively construed ... thus to see clearly one must put oneself aside (as Hemingway suggests) but then one must become a master of a story. For it is only through living out a particular narrative, a particular story, that one can truly see ... see through the lens of that story ... the trick to seeing clearly then is to become a master of a authentic story (a true story) and not a false one, if one wants to have an authentic vision ... so, following Hauerwas' theory ... it begs the question as to whether or not "science" is a "true" story :-)
If it is a true narrative, then maybe what is "out there" is not so much different that what is right here, and so the photos depict some reality. If it is a false story then the photos are an illusion ...
Just some thoughts ... :-) I look forward to reading more of your blog!
Cheers,
Lynda (from Jezblog.com)
Hi Lynda,
I don't know Hauerwas but I like the idea of narrative and authentic storying. And... mmm... science as a 'true' story ? I'm not entirely convinced by that - it is certainly a story which has been compelling and helpful but it seems to be leading us into some blind alleys at the moment.
It seems to me that we are currently changing our various stories as a new way of thinking/being emerges. At the moment this is confusing and disorientating but I guess that coherence will emerge at some stage.
Can we be authentic to ourselves as we story? I like the idea of individual 'truths' but get a bit rattled when we talk of 'the truth.' Would Hauerwas go for that?
Steve
Not a direct response to your comment (that's still forthcoming), but someone sent me this today, and since it is related I thought you might find it interesting:
http://www.philosophypress.co.uk/?p=137
Thanks Lynda, a really interesting link. I find I am left voiceless when I consider the enormity of what is uncovered in the article. As noted in the opening paragraphs; 'if you think you can imagine it you can't....'
Perhaps the only really constructive comment I feel equipped o make is to notice how a speculative article generates such highly advocatory comments. I think it's the certainty expressed within these comments that I find most difficult!
Steve