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Lath,
(Ah, a refugee! :-))
No, I agree with you, really.  It doesn't stop there - think about 
language.  We still "dial" a phone number despite the fact that none 
of us has SEEN a dial in I don't know how long...
Beryl

>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>As a recovering anthropologist I'm going to back away from discussing
>the specifics of group identity to get back to my original point
>regarding obsolete symbols. As I am writing this I noticed another great
>example of symbols outliving their physical referents, GUI icons.
>Looking at the toolbar on my word processing software I see icons in the
>form of a 3.5" disk, a paperclip, a file folder, a drawing square, a
>paper address book, scissors, a file folder, a clipboard, etc. These are
>bunch of tools that used to exist in the physical world and now are used
>much more often in software. At what point will those of us who are
>involved in GUI design have to stop using these types of icons? Or have
>the icons taken on a meaning independent of the referents, much like
>hieroglyphs or Chinese characters became detached from what they
>originally referred to?
>
>-Lath     
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Informal Science Education Network
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carey Tisdal
>Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 12:51 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Scientist Dress Codes
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
>Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>institutions.
>************************************************************************
>*****
>
>Lath,
>
>While we could sit around and work in our bathrobes (and do for those of
>us
>with home-based offices--we even make jokes about it), clothing also has
>
>that "tribal" function--part of group identity. So, while part of dress
>decisions are functional, they take on a life of their own whereby
>individual identify with a group and with group leadership. Technology
>(literally tools) that is functional AND takes on a function of marking
>group identity and status.
>
>With other female evaluators, I have been amused to note that we inspect
>
>each others shoes. Comfortable black shoes to stand for long periods and
>
>travel well seem to be part of the uniform. Function and symbols are
>closely
>connected and they change. That's why it is so fascinating to watch.
>Note
>that the archeaology story posted was "in the field." I think that may
>be
>the fertile source for new and lively science visual symbols. Many
>scientific disciplines have a "field" component that may be a good
>source of
>their unique symbols. I know a little about that in astronomy and
>archaeology because I have worked on those types of projects. I find the
>
>that a lot of the fun and commaraderie of the scientific enterprise
>comes
>out in these expressions of identity. Teens and children pick up on it
>immediately, and I suspect it may be part of what we assess as "interest
>in
>scientific content."
>
>Cheers,
>
>Carey
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Lath Carlson" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 11:20 AM
>Subject: Re: Scientist Dress Codes
>
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
>Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>institutions.
>************************************************************************
>*****
>
>"But, you really have a point about the visual vocabulary--the one we
>have
>(and often use) is quickly becoming irrelevant and historic rather than
>a
>useful tool to depict different disciplines of science. That's one
>reason my
>mind turned to dress code--the best symbols are ones that work on
>several
>levels by emerging form the specific context and begin to "stand for"
>that
>context."
>
>I think that the context dependency of style of dress is not really that
>different then that of tools. White lab coats make sense in the context
>of a lab where there is a potential for getting dirty, but this is less
>and less the environment in which scientists work. My concern is that
>the ubiquitous use of computers in all fields has severely limited our
>visual vocabulary. In addition that use of computers has effected dress
>codes in the same way. When everything from scientific research, to art,
>to manufacturing can be done by computer then there is no reason for
>these professions to maintain separate modes of dress. Heck, we can all
>just sit around in our pajamas at home in front of our laptops!
>
>-Lath
>
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-- 
Beryl Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs
MIT Museum
265 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA  02139
Tel: 617-452-2111
Fax: 617-253-8994
[log in to unmask]
"A great place to explore ideas, invention, and innovation: 
http://web.mit.edu/museum"

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