Saturday, June 9, 2007

science, society, and my academic future

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since the semester has ended (and not enough reading of bound, properly published materials - although I’ve certainly been doing enough online, digital materials), and I believe that I want to pursue my graduate studies in the history of science and society.

It makes perfect sense! For what is agriculture, and the social changes that accompanied agriculture - which so facinate me! - but a case study in the ancient history of science and society? Research avenues would abound, and the field would give me room to study ancient technologies as well as more contemorary technological phenomena.

I have this idea to redefine technology to include not only material adaptations made by humanity, but also less tangible adaptations, specifically, socio-cultural technology. And I wonder, is this allowed? Hasn’t someone else thought of this before? And, if they have, can I find a unique perspective?

Obviously, socio-cultural technology and material technology are intimately connected to one another. These relationships are what I want to study, but I have to pick a single inquiry that I can realistically pursue within the context of a master’s thesis. . .

I think the next step is to arrange a metting with the professor who first introduced me to the history of science and society to ponder potential research topics. . .