Emerging Scholars Blog

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vision

Science Corner: It’s Not That Easy Being Blue

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The metallic quality is not apparent to me here; I suspect the polarization gets lost in the photographic reproduction chain. (Photo by berniedup )

“Why is the sky blue?” is a perennial question of young children. It is also somewhat notorious for producing incorrect or incomplete answers, even from fairly credible sources. The typical answer for why ‘x’ is whatever color it is has to due with the wavelengths of light it absorbs. What we see is what is not absorbed but instead reflected, so if an object absorbs light from the red end of the spectrum it will look more blue, and vice versa. The sky appears blue for a different reason, though. Some white light from the sun not headed directly to our eyes gets deflected or scattered from its straight line path and gets redirected towards us; blue light is more easily redirected and so we see more of it than other colors. As it happens, there is still yet another way to look blue, and a common berry is the latest to be found using that route.
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Science Corner: Seeing is Believing

Atomic force microscopy of four molecules–azobenzene, pentacene, TCNQ, and porphine–in different charge states indicated by color. (Image © IBM Research)

Twenty nineteen has been a banner year for glimpses at the elusive and previously unseen. Earlier this year, we were treated to our first direct view of an actual black hole (as opposed to the physically accurate but fully simulated one in Interstellar a few years back). More recently, we saw the first images of quantum entanglement, the first view of molecules changing shapes as a result of gaining or losing electrons, and rare footage of a giant squid (only the second such video). We gain a lot of information about the world around us visually. So when we cannot see something readily, we often work hard to find a way to represent the object or entity or concept visually. That even goes for nonspatial entities like calendars or organizational charts or infographics which have no natural visual form. At least particles and black holes and squids are physical and occupy space.
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Next Steps for ESN — Part 2: Vision, Partnership

I greatly appreciate the ASA’s ongoing partnership with InterVarsity, particularly when it comes to engaging with college and graduate students at our Annual Meeting. Hannah Eagleson and Tom Grosh have done a wonderful job of creating opportunities for students to interact with their peers as well as professionals within their disciplines. These networking connections are a win for everyone involved, and we look forward to continuing this partnership at next year’s ASA meeting. — Leslie Wickman, Ph.D., Executive Director, American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) [Read more…] about Next Steps for ESN — Part 2: Vision, Partnership

Imago Dei: Vision and Value (Part 4 of 5)

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Michael Huerter continues his series responding to The Image of God in an Image Driven Age: Explorations in Theological Anthropology, edited by Beth Felker Jones and Jeffrey W. Barbeau (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2016). See Part 1 of Michael’s explorations here, Part 2 here, and Part 3 here.

Whether we think of the image of God as being related to human beings’ unique rationality, their place as representatives of God’s reign, their potential for relationships, or their ability to make moral choices, the fact remains that the Christian faith claims each human life has great worth that cannot be dismissed and ought not to be forgotten. [Read more…] about Imago Dei: Vision and Value (Part 4 of 5)