Monthly Archives: September, 2010
15. Reflections on Technology: Electricity at Home
In its first phase, the impact of the Industrial Revolution was only through its manufactured goods. Whether it was paper or cloth, the locomotive or the telegraph, it was only the final product of technology that the layman witnessed. No new process was introduced into the home. In 1888 something of enormous significance happened. A …
13. Reflections on Technology: Scholarship and technology
Technology has had an enormous impact on human civilization. It has revolutionized human life styles in innumerable ways. In particular, changes of great moment have occurred in human history in the past century or so. Some of the major technological additions to society and to civilization were unheard of and undreamt of just two or …
12. Reflections of Technology: Aesthetic Aspects
It is said that when the Eiffel Tower was built in Paris the great French writer Guy de Maupassant was so shocked by its ugly presence in the beautiful French capital that he left the city in disgust. Since then, however, millions of people, both of more and less refined tastes, have come to Paris …
11. Reflections on Technology: Interactions between Science and Technology
Scientific knowledge gave a significant boost to the Industrial Revolution in the course of the l9th century. Of no less significance is the contribution of technology to science. Indeed, science would not be at the highly sophisticated level at which it is today without the enormous support it has received and continues to receive from …
10. Reflections on Technology: Energy Sources
There are essentially four kinds of energy sources: (a) Cyclic sources: Some of our energy sources, though they are being used up, are also being continually re-formed. The most important example of this is food energy. Although it is being consumed regularly and ceaselessly, food is also being formed at the same time by the …
S. Kalyanaraman, Indus Script Cipher: Hieroglyphics of Indian Linguistic Area, 2010
The interpretation of ancient records is no easy task. It is difficult enough when the records are in archaic versions of currently known languages, and even more difficult when they are in scripts long out of use. This was the case, for example, with Egyptian hieroglyphics. But human curiosity and ingenuity will not give up …
Requests
I do know that many of you are looking into my blog. 1. Please send me an occasional comment, with your thoughts on what I write, and suggestions to make them more interesting. 2. Please refer them to your e-mail circle. Thanks! V. V. Raman
Perceived Reality: Sound
There is the serene chant of worship which uplifts the soul, and the magic of the mantra with its occult significance. There is the melody of music filling us with delight and the hearty laughter that reflects a happy feeling. There is the cooing of birds, the gurgling of brooks, the shriek of the frightened, …
9. Reflections on Technology: Energy Aspects
Much of technology consists in getting things done for us without our having to exert much towards the attainment of the goals. We exploit the laws of nature in ways that make non-human entities do the work for us. Work implies the expenditure of energy. Hence the importance of understanding the nature and principles of …
8. Reflections on Technology: Phases in Technological Evolution
Technological changes are taking place at a very rapid pace. What prompts such changes? Why is it that, even when many people speak out eloquently and point out clearly that many of these changes are wrought with dangerous consequences, societies continue to develop all kinds of technologies? Although there are no simple answers to these …
