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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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