Comments on: Science and Politics of Food http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=4079 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:36:51 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Margo http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=4079&cpage=1#comment-7892 Margo Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:41:53 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheusreborn/?p=4079#comment-7892 David, I see similarities with developing understanding in fluid dynamics. Initially, reseachers focus on understanding phenomena in special cases: inviscid flow, boundary layer flows, 1-D shocks, homogeneous isotropic turbulence. Each is examined as a separate effect. As each separate area is better understood, people try to put two phenomena together. Later researchers try to understand what happens in more and more complicated systems. (Similar things actually happen in engineering design. Better understanding of more complete systems permits more and more sophisticated designs.) With regard to developing scientific understanding, the need to begin by focusing on separate effects is likely just "the nature of the beast". David,
I see similarities with developing understanding in fluid dynamics. Initially, reseachers focus on understanding phenomena in special cases: inviscid flow, boundary layer flows, 1-D shocks, homogeneous isotropic turbulence. Each is examined as a separate effect.

As each separate area is better understood, people try to put two phenomena together. Later researchers try to understand what happens in more and more complicated systems.

(Similar things actually happen in engineering design. Better understanding of more complete systems permits more and more sophisticated designs.)

With regard to developing scientific understanding, the need to begin by focusing on separate effects is likely just “the nature of the beast”.

]]> By: David Bruggeman http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=4079&cpage=1#comment-7891 David Bruggeman Mon, 29 Jan 2007 18:05:56 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheusreborn/?p=4079#comment-7891 This seems very similar to the evolution of environmental chemical testing. Initially single chemicals and their exposure were examined, and eventually (if I'm remembering correctly) chemical interactions were a focus of study. However, the political and policy struggles associated with those changes aren't evident here. Whether that's a choice of the author or a reflection of the different field, I don't know. This seems very similar to the evolution of environmental chemical testing. Initially single chemicals and their exposure were examined, and eventually (if I’m remembering correctly) chemical interactions were a focus of study. However, the political and policy struggles associated with those changes aren’t evident here. Whether that’s a choice of the author or a reflection of the different field, I don’t know.

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