This talk was interesting because it reminded me of how so many things have changed culturally in not that long of a time period. The change from written maps to GPS systems that we have today is phenomenal. The way that vaccines were given 100 years ago is also so unsanitary are gross compared to today. It was also crazy to think about how long of a process it is to make a vaccine. Learning that geographers do more than just study maps was mind opening as well. I did not realize that people like Elisabeth helped study the history of disease and vaccine in order to create more efficient methods to control disease today.
It seems that Dr. Root’s talk was very eye-opening to you, Jessica. One of the lessons I think I repeatedly take from the history of science is just the recent nature of a great deal of scientific progress. I think that point will be driven home next week when we discuss Isaac Newton, whose work some people point to as the start of the scientific revolution. However, one main challenge to living in modern times is having to keep up with all the progress. I think it is important to give students like yourself an idea of just how unique that challenge is and how the outcome is far from certain.