Science+&+Technology

media type="youtube" key="v8GGurp7KI8" height="385" width="640" Questions

1. During the Italian Renaissance we saw how the printing press revolutionized communication. The printing press helped spread ideas because books were created with efficiency and speed. This also allowed people to have a better education. Do we see some of the same conditions and developments in Calgary today? Specifically, do we see conditions in communication technology? Do we find communication technology that has revolutionized the world we know today? //Bob Golding - Industrial Technology Advisor// //NRC-IRAP// The two major developments of the last decade, internet and wireless (cell phone) technology represent disruptive technologies that equal that of the printing press during the Italian Renaissance. Instant communication has provided us with immediate access to other people, news, and knowledge. The rapid global development of these technologies has enabled us to better understand the rest of the world. As well as create a "smoothing" of differences, where, as adoption of cultures, technologies and beliefs from one area in the world to another is slowly homogenizing the world. While these technology conditions are present in Calgary, the global spread of them results in very little geographic difference specifically due to the technology. i.e. Calgary doesn't stand out from other regions of the world because of internet or wireless communication.

2. During the Renaissance we saw how scientific discoveries changed the world with knowledge and how people lost faith in the church and started to believe science. Specifically, what discoveries have changed the world permanently and drastically? Do we see the same conditions in Calgary today?

//Bob Golding - Industrial Technology Advisor// //NRC-IRAP// Air travel has changed the world permanently and drastically. The ability of ordinary people to travel and meet people anywhere in the world allows for great technological and cultural transfer opportunities. In Calgary most people have had the opportunity to visit other countries and learn about them. Air travel has changed the way many Calgarians do business, allowing travel to buy, sell and collaborate with anyone anywhere.

Access to information through various instant media, TV, Radio, Internet allow people to be informed about various ideals and make their own decisions. I don't know if faith in the church has diminished, but blind following of religious leaders is very rare in Calgary in 2010.

3. During the Renaissance we saw a rebirth of ancient ideas. These Ideas were then synthesized with current ideas. Giving birth to a new and truly unique way of thinking, it changed the world and the future. Do we see the same conditions in Calgary today? Specifically do we see the old and the new together, creating something that will change the world.

//Bob Golding - Industrial Technology Advisor// //NRC-IRAP// The recent increase in concern over energy use and CO2 production is leading us to look at new energy sources and other ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Many of these "new" sources have been around for centuries, such as wind generation, coal bed methane and biomass to syngas or ethanol. However, new technologies are allowing them to produce energy in greater volumes and more economically. In agriculture we are seeing a greater push to buy locally. Again, improvements in agricultural technology, while allowing us to feed the world and have fresh produce anytime of the year, are also enabling us to produce and store food in ways that can extend seasonal availability of many locally produced foods.

The 20th centuries development and reliance on fossil fuels will very likely be severely changed as alternative energy solutions become more viable. This change will have huge economic and political ramifications. Calgary, being in the heart of fossil fuel production may be one area that sees the greatest change from the move to alternative energy.

4. During the renaissance we saw great advances in Science and technology. But we also saw contact with other groups. China and Italy were trading goods. China was bringing in new innovations like paper and gun powder. Today in Calgary do we see the necessary conditions for the trade of great conditions?

//Bob Golding - Industrial Technology Advisor// //NRC-IRAP// In Calgary today virtually every business is either buying or selling product internationally. Instant and global communication enables everyone to be access suppliers and markets anywhere. Improvements in shipping allows goods to be shipped anywhere. Calgary through rail, trucking and air cargo is well situated to participate in the global trade.

Answers from David Robinson: Note: these answers are not directly spoken by the expert. It was summarized by students and only they key ideas were included.

1. -"The internet is driving a change of pace in technological change that we can't even see" David Robinson. - Internet is a very key in out communication and spread of ideas, especially when communicating over seas. Communication often about business/ trade. Ex. Skype, E-mail -Wireless communication is also very important. The cellular phone is very common in today's society.

2. -"One of the most major agents of change is space travel and war"David Robinson -with our space travel we wouldn't have the cellular phone. -Many developments around war. -" Changes that we are seeing are happening so fast that it's really hard to say what is a major change" David robinson

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4. -We collaborate with other communities to create innovations. An example is horizontal drilling in the past this type of drilling was very inefficient. But Calgary and other nations worked together to create a very efficient technology to do horizontal drilling.

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During the renaissance we saw how scientific discoveries changed renaissance world where people lost faith in the church and began to trust science. The worldview balance changed and science was the thing people went to, to find answers.=====

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Today we see somewhat of the same thing. I believe this because we have a large attraction for scientists. The university of Calgary is one of the biggest universities in Canada which makes Calgary a hot spot for scientific thinkers to teach yet we see very little churches with people going there to ask about the world and wanting to learn.=====

Andrew Lee SES paragraph

In response to whether Calgary posses the necessary communication technology to become a Renaissance city, David Robinson believes that Calgary has more than adequate communication inventions. Specifically, he believes that Calgary is a city of great technology. Including communication technology, which is essential for Calgary to become a Renaissance city. He states, “The advent of the internet is driving a change of pace of technological change that we can’t even see.” By this he means that the Internet is a major communication technology, which is increasing the creation of other technological advancements.

Reed Carter SES paragraph

In response to wether Calgary posses the necessary communication technologies to become a feudal renaissance city, David robinson believes that Calgary is producing more than a sufficient amount of communication advances and inventions. Specifically, He believes that Calgary has a swarming amount of technologies and thinks that Calgary is a city of many new and great technologies that make it such a great city. Calgary has advanced in communication technologies, which will be essential to become a renaissance city. He states, "Calgary has been pushing the advancement of communication technologies so rapidly and fast that we can't even see the growth of these advancements". By this he means that calgary growth in advancements in technologies such as communication we aren't noticing how much we have advanced in communication technologies.