Science has longed sought to ease our relationship with the world around us and uncover the workings of the universe in which we live. Driven by a desire to know great thinkers across the Ancient World sought to uncover the nature of their surroundings. Though this produced numerous crackpot ideas it also gave us the building blocks of modern science.
Figures like Aristotle, Plato, and Hippocrates made great leaps in scientific fields like physics, biology, chemistry, meteorology, mathematics, and medicine. Using little more than the power of observation they created some of the most influential theories in history, a few of which are still around today.
The standard set by these Ancient thinkers held strong throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance. While scientists in these periods built on the ideas that had come before those who would follow revolutionised their fields by challenging all of science’s sacred cows.
The coming of the Enlightenment ushered in a new age for science. These new thinkers who wished to break from the dictates and standards of their forebears established the scientific method. Characterised by rigorous study and an aversion to any subjective influence this new formula ushered in the modern scientific era.
In her latest book, ‘The Story of Science’, acclaimed author and teacher Susan Wise Bauer traces the history of science from Ancient Greece to today through the scientific texts used. Susan talks with Susan about her book and the evolution of science. How has science changed over time? And how has it changed the world around us?
While science has immeasurably helped mankind throughout history this ascension has been disastrous for the world around us. As our ability to manipulate the world and environment around us has grown other species have paid the price.
Though only a few names spring immediately to mind, the Dodo being the most famous, thousands of species of birds, animals, insects, and plants have disappeared as a result of mankind’s activities.
Known as the Sixth Extinction this loss of life began as far back as our ancestors’ hunting of mammoths. The accelerating rate of loss though is the most worrying and pressing issue. With extinction rates at up to 114 times the normal ‘background rate’ of loss we are losing species at a pace not seen since the loss of the dinosaurs.
With industrialisation, habitat loss, and the human population all growing, stemming this loss of diversity looks increasingly difficult. In her Pulitzer Prize winning book, ‘The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History’, author and environmental journalist Elizabeth Kolbert looks at the other mass extinctions in history and the challenges faced by this new one.
Join Susan and Elizabeth as they look at ‘The Sixth Extinction’ and mankind’s impact on the world around us. How did we create this massive loss of life? What is the reality of the Sixth Extinction? How many species will be lost and what impact will it have on the world? And what, if anything, can we do to help?
Tonight's music to read to
Part one of this show opens and ends with music by Argentinian composer Gustavo Santo. Starting with the title track from the 'Babel Soundtrack' it closes with 'Endless Flight' from the same album. Part two ends with 'Optimist' by Zoe Keating from her album 'Into the Trees'.
