Thanks to host Mike Haubrich, to science-artist Lynn Fellman and to the Minnesota Atheists and AM 950 KTNF and its sponsors for the show.
Okay, so: about the parasite thing. Two years ago at ScienceOnline09, I brought up the idea that artists who are inspired by science (like moi) are somewhat parasitic on the science that inspires: we don't give a lot back, we don't direct research. (Review at Ars Technica of that session here.)
The group at scio09 resoundingly rejected this, and concede and agree: science-artists do a lot to inspire and explore and speak to the scientifically literate and enthusiastic audience. However, the do little to lead actual research.
As soon as you couch a scientific idea in a metaphor, you remove it further from the data and evidence. This means it's not usually possible for it to stimulate a new hypothesis, and lead to new inquiry. Science-art responds to inquiry, explores it. So in that sense science-art is parasitic.
Science-art contributes to the cloud of scientific inspiration and understanding; it doesn't coalesce into the lightning strikes of scientific research.
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This tweet...
flyingtrilobite Glendon Mellow
...has stimulated a bit of talk on Twitter (in typical reverse-order, newest at the top):
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katura_art Katura Reynolds
@flyingtrilobite So I'll claim that art (in form of illustration/drawing yr observations) can be integral to the *practice* of research.
katura_art Katura Reynolds
@flyingtrilobite And many naturalists (like MS Merian) documented their sci discoveries thru art to capture data: http://ow.ly/3klXp
katura_art Katura Reynolds
As illustrator, I've pointed out details that scientists missed...RT @flyingtrilobite: Very little art influences scientific research.
katura_art Katura Reynolds
Hm; I lack context for statement, but not sure I agree. RT @flyingtrilobite: Very little art directly influences scientific research.
brianggeorge Brian George
@flyingtrilobite That's why I'm here. Can you link to the interview? I'd love to hear it if possible.
rvitelli Romeo Vitelli
@David_Dobbs @flyingtrilobite You can claim that you meant to say symbiotic but the liberal media misquoted you (works for Sarah Palin)
David_Dobbs David Dobbs
RT @flyingtrilobite: Uh-oh: I said artists are largely parasitic on science during the radio interview. DD: That's it for you, parasite.
brianggeorge Brian George
@flyingtrilobite How could you??!! *removes lamprey-like suckers from Neil Tyson's brainstem*
I think at #scio11 we'll be past this point - I don't think there's a lot more to say on it. Two years ago I underestimated the affect art has on science, yet I still contend it's a rare thing for a piece of visual art to lead to a new area of research.
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Posts over 14 days old have their comments held in moderation - I've been getting an unusual amount of spam for a guy who paints trilobites. I'll release it lickety-split though.