CWL

fyeahuniverse:

Important Scientific Discoveries, Developments and People | 2 of 33

The Wheel

This extremely helpful invention has come and gone throughout the ages, it has been invented, forgotten and then reinvented  a few times. It is however known that around 6,000 years ago, humans were using the wheel for such things as plows and sledges.

It is believed that using stones or logs as rollers may have been the precursor to the modern wheel. Although there is an issue with this theory, and it is that logs tend to split and fall apart rather easily, while in the Middle East where the first modern where was seen, the types of tress necessary to make rollers were not abundant.

In archaeology, a wheel which rotates on an axle is a sign of (relatively) advanced civilization. The earliest sighting of a wheel on an axle was around 3,200 B.C.E. in Mesopotamia, that which is now Iraq. The construction was rather basic and was seen in similar but more refined forms at later times in such places as Egypt and Rome. The wheel was also seen around 2,800 B.C.E. in China, although it is believed that it was discovered independently.

It is believed that the first use of the wheel may not have been for transportation, but rather for such enterprises as pottery fly wheels and spinning wheels for yarn manufacturing. The wheel has led on to a plethora of inventions including the steam engine  turbines, gyroscopes, castor wheels cogs, and the list goes on.

Key Dates:

• 3,500 B.C.E.: First potters wheels in Mesopotamia
• 3,200 B.C.E.: First axled wheel on a vehicle in Mesopotamia
• 2,800 B.C.E.: Chinese develop the wheel (independently)
• 85 B.C.E.: Waterwheel developed in Greece
• 500-1,000 B.C.E.: Spinning wheel developed in China

(x)

The Middle East is Ripe for A Scientific Revolution

The Arab Spring puts the Middle East in a position to become a scientific powerhouse, but it needs help, says the US science envoy to the region

Scientific research in the Arabian, Persian and Turkish Middle East lags behind that of the west. Of course, there are individual scientists who produce world-class research and there are institutions and nations which make significant contributions in certain fields. Publication and citation indicators show some encouraging trends. But naturally one asks: “Why have Arab, Persian and Turkish scientists as a group underperformed compared with their colleagues in the west or with those rising in the east?”

It is simplistic to say that there is a single cause, such as a (false) dichotomy between faith and reason. Muslims are no different from anyone else; there is no ethnic or geographic monopoly on intelligence. Muslims in Spain, north Africa and Arabia were at the peak of a sophisticated civilisation when Christian Europe was in the Dark Ages.

I think the answer lies in the recent history of the Arab, Persian and Turkish world. Consider what happened in the past century. First there was colonisation by western empires, which installed class and caste systems from outside. The result was huge populations of illiterate peasants. Illiteracy reached nearly 50 per cent, and among women it was as high as 80 per cent in many countries. When colonisation ended after the second world war, these countries looked to the superpowers for help, first west then east. And when the cold war ended, there was only one place left to look: up. That search for answers has been exploited by some to politicise religion.

It goes without saying that the developing world should help itself. The Middle East must not think itself incapable of competing with developed nations. But in addressing the gap, one must bear in mind a history that has resulted in large populations of frustrated people who lack real opportunity.

Many graduates in the Middle East are without jobs. What are their options? Their energy must not be allowed to be diverted into fanaticism and violence. In contrast to the silver wave faced by rest of the world, the Arab world is facing a youth wave. These young people can achieve great things in science if they are given the chance.

I see three essential ingredients for progress. First is the building of human resources by promoting literacy, ensuring participation of women in society and improving education. Second, there is a need to reform national constitutions to allow freedom of thought, minimise bureaucracy, reward merit, and create credible- and enforceable- legal codes.

The recent revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere show that these changes are possible. Over the past two decades I have been involved in promoting political and educational reforms, and I feel we now have an opportunity to make a real change.

Thirdly, the best way to regain self-confidence is to start centres of excellence in science and technology in each Muslim country to show that Muslims can compete in today’s globalised economy and to instil in the youth the desire for learning. It is gratifying to see such centres being set up in Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar and elsewhere. In Egypt I am reviving the National Project for the Development of Science and Technology, which the Mubarak regime made every effort to derail despite the overwhelming support of the Egyptian people.

Read More

Side Note:

Middle east ripe for scientific revolution

BRBMOVINGTHERENOW

fuckyeahmarxismleninism:

Protesters wave Egyptian flags and chant slogans as they gather in Tahrir Square, the focal point of the Egyptian uprising, in Cairo, Egypt, July 8, 2011.

Thousands of Egyptians took to the streets around the country Friday to demand justice for victims of Hosni Mubarak’s regime and press the new military rulers for a clear plan of transition to democracy. The banner in the background, in Arabic, reads, “the free people are behind bars and the killers are free.”

fuckyeahmarxismleninism:

Hundreds of thousands of Yemeni anti-government protesters rally in the city of Ibb, saying that President Ali Abdullah Saleh is “politically dead,” July 8, 2011.

The Middle East is Ripe for A Scientific Revolution

The Arab Spring puts the Middle East in a position to become a scientific powerhouse, but it needs help, says the US science envoy to the region

Scientific research in the Arabian, Persian and Turkish Middle East lags behind that of the west. Of course, there are individual scientists who produce world-class research and there are institutions and nations which make significant contributions in certain fields. Publication and citation indicators show some encouraging trends. But naturally one asks: “Why have Arab, Persian and Turkish scientists as a group underperformed compared with their colleagues in the west or with those rising in the east?”

It is simplistic to say that there is a single cause, such as a (false) dichotomy between faith and reason. Muslims are no different from anyone else; there is no ethnic or geographic monopoly on intelligence. Muslims in Spain, north Africa and Arabia were at the peak of a sophisticated civilisation when Christian Europe was in the Dark Ages.

I think the answer lies in the recent history of the Arab, Persian and Turkish world. Consider what happened in the past century. First there was colonisation by western empires, which installed class and caste systems from outside. The result was huge populations of illiterate peasants. Illiteracy reached nearly 50 per cent, and among women it was as high as 80 per cent in many countries. When colonisation ended after the second world war, these countries looked to the superpowers for help, first west then east. And when the cold war ended, there was only one place left to look: up. That search for answers has been exploited by some to politicise religion.

It goes without saying that the developing world should help itself. The Middle East must not think itself incapable of competing with developed nations. But in addressing the gap, one must bear in mind a history that has resulted in large populations of frustrated people who lack real opportunity.

Many graduates in the Middle East are without jobs. What are their options? Their energy must not be allowed to be diverted into fanaticism and violence. In contrast to the silver wave faced by rest of the world, the Arab world is facing a youth wave. These young people can achieve great things in science if they are given the chance.

I see three essential ingredients for progress. First is the building of human resources by promoting literacy, ensuring participation of women in society and improving education. Second, there is a need to reform national constitutions to allow freedom of thought, minimise bureaucracy, reward merit, and create credible- and enforceable- legal codes.

The recent revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere show that these changes are possible. Over the past two decades I have been involved in promoting political and educational reforms, and I feel we now have an opportunity to make a real change.

Thirdly, the best way to regain self-confidence is to start centres of excellence in science and technology in each Muslim country to show that Muslims can compete in today’s globalised economy and to instil in the youth the desire for learning. It is gratifying to see such centres being set up in Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar and elsewhere. In Egypt I am reviving the National Project for the Development of Science and Technology, which the Mubarak regime made every effort to derail despite the overwhelming support of the Egyptian people.

Read More

Side Note:

Middle east ripe for scientific revolution

BRBMOVING THEFUCK THERENOW

The Middle East is Ripe for A Scientific Revolution

The Arab Spring puts the Middle East in a position to become a scientific powerhouse, but it needs help, says the US science envoy to the region

Scientific research in the Arabian, Persian and Turkish Middle East lags behind that of the west. Of course, there are individual scientists who produce world-class research and there are institutions and nations which make significant contributions in certain fields. Publication and citation indicators show some encouraging trends. But naturally one asks: “Why have Arab, Persian and Turkish scientists as a group underperformed compared with their colleagues in the west or with those rising in the east?”

It is simplistic to say that there is a single cause, such as a (false) dichotomy between faith and reason. Muslims are no different from anyone else; there is no ethnic or geographic monopoly on intelligence. Muslims in Spain, north Africa and Arabia were at the peak of a sophisticated civilisation when Christian Europe was in the Dark Ages.

I think the answer lies in the recent history of the Arab, Persian and Turkish world. Consider what happened in the past century. First there was colonisation by western empires, which installed class and caste systems from outside. The result was huge populations of illiterate peasants. Illiteracy reached nearly 50 per cent, and among women it was as high as 80 per cent in many countries. When colonisation ended after the second world war, these countries looked to the superpowers for help, first west then east. And when the cold war ended, there was only one place left to look: up. That search for answers has been exploited by some to politicise religion.

It goes without saying that the developing world should help itself. The Middle East must not think itself incapable of competing with developed nations. But in addressing the gap, one must bear in mind a history that has resulted in large populations of frustrated people who lack real opportunity.

Many graduates in the Middle East are without jobs. What are their options? Their energy must not be allowed to be diverted into fanaticism and violence. In contrast to the silver wave faced by rest of the world, the Arab world is facing a youth wave. These young people can achieve great things in science if they are given the chance.

I see three essential ingredients for progress. First is the building of human resources by promoting literacy, ensuring participation of women in society and improving education. Second, there is a need to reform national constitutions to allow freedom of thought, minimise bureaucracy, reward merit, and create credible- and enforceable- legal codes.

The recent revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere show that these changes are possible. Over the past two decades I have been involved in promoting political and educational reforms, and I feel we now have an opportunity to make a real change.

Thirdly, the best way to regain self-confidence is to start centres of excellence in science and technology in each Muslim country to show that Muslims can compete in today’s globalised economy and to instil in the youth the desire for learning. It is gratifying to see such centres being set up in Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar and elsewhere. In Egypt I am reviving the National Project for the Development of Science and Technology, which the Mubarak regime made every effort to derail despite the overwhelming support of the Egyptian people.

Read More

Side Note:

Middle east ripe for scientific revolution

BRBMOVINGTHERENOW

Starry Ruin

Winter stars and the Milky Way are photographed in desert starry sky near Damghan, a historic city of Iran. Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, is above the southeastern horizon. Prominent figure of constellation Orion is higher in the sky. The structure in the foreground is ruins of a water reservoir made besides a large desert caravansary on the Silk Road, in an ancient city known as Qumis (or Hecatompylos as recorded by Greek historians). Qumis is now buried under the desert but once was the amazing city of “hundred gates” founded 2300 years ago during Seleucid kingdom of ancient Persia. The city’s area was about 28 km² at its peak, which would indicate a population in the tens of thousands.

Copyright: Amir H. Abolfath

motherjones:

One in every six Bahrainis is on the streets, braving tear gas and rubber bullets from authorities, including armed helicopters like this one.

For the latest, check in with Ashley Bates’ real-time explainer:

What’s Happening in Bahrain Explained

The Middle East Government Overthrow

Colors of Autumn

Credit: Oshin D. Zakarian  
Region: Middle East   In a clear night of autumn a small camp fire has illuminated the colorful leaves. In this film photograph stars of constellations Orion and Canis Major drift westward during the one hour exposure.