Bonjour, everybody. After seven days of travel around southern Europe, it was time for more ToK back at school. Thankfully, it was my topic: history. And before I launch into some ToK-ish stuff, I need to mention two men and a woman: Alfred Dreyfus, Richard Owen, and Rosalind Franklin.
I believe that, by now, Rosalind Franklin's work in uncovering the structure of DNA is widely respected, but she was near-forgotten in the decades closest to the very discovery, especially as women were not regularly awarded Nobel prizes. For years, schools taught that Watson and Crick had discovered the structure of the DNA - double helix - without mentioning Franklin, who was, according to some, pivotal to the discovery. In that opinion, Franklin analyzed the X-ray shots of DNA and made the conclusion which led to the Watson-Crick model.
Richard Owen was, as a quick online search can confirm, a brilliant paleontologist, biologist and comparative anatomist; he was the Knight Commander of the Order of Bath and coined the word dinosauria. However, don't let his impressive list of titles and achievements fool you. He also carries the title of the only man Charles Darwin ever hated, and is credited with plagiarizing the work of Gideon Mantell and restricting work of several people, among them Robert Grant, Hugh Falconer and T. H. Huxley. The latter three discovered, at varying points in time, that their positions, samples, works and permits have been taken or revoked under Owen's influence, but that cannot even compare to Owen's handiwork against Mantell. After taking several works from Mantell, most importantly discovery of Iguanodon, Owen celebrated Mantell's spine injury by plagiarizing remainder of his work and renaming the species Mantell already named. Icing on the cake happened after Mantell committed suicide, both influenced by pain from his injuries and constant destruction of his work; his obituary was written anonymously, although many saw Owen's style in it, and it mentioned Mantell as mediocre scientist at best, and his work as sub-par. Have you heard of Mantell? Didn't think so. On the other hand, Owen is celebrated.
Last historical "fact" before we start: Alfred Dreyfus, Jewish-French artillery officer, is guilty of treason against France. This lie has became so famous it has been named "The Dreyfus Affair"; in short, it was discovered in 1894. that somebody, probably a member of General Staff, was selling information about new artillery parts to Germany. Dreyfus was accused, and in less than three months was sent off to the Devil's Island to serve his sentence, after being publicly shamed and dishonored.
New French intelligence officer, Picquart, found evidence Dreyfus was innocent, but was forbidden from presenting them. After multiple threats and demands towards the court, Picquart was allowed to bring Dreyfus back for a second trial, after the true traitor, Esterhazy, was allowed to flee. Guess what? He was found guilty again, despite the evidence presented by Picquart. This sparked a vicious, occasionally violent debate about his guilt and antisemitism in France. He was only cleared of guilt in 1906. In history's eyes, in those 12 years Dreyfus was a traitor.
This brings us to history and ToK. It would be idiotic to assume history as we know it today is absolutely true, especially as different nations have varying versions of events. Still, some history is better than no history, as long as it is not used to provoke emotions. History, in essence, is a set of stories, and all stories have potential to awaken emotions, as they talk of easy-to-relate personalities. Whether it is a last stand, an act of mercy, biography of a scientist or revenge for a genocide from centuries ago, there is something so deeply, personally enjoyable and attractive in each of these.
History can be said to contain all other fields in its body, as any event, discovery and work is placed in a coordinate system of time and place, in which history operates. You saw that for yourself: two out of my three examples of false history and mistakes relate to natural sciences. Tendency to note down important events has saved works from ages ago, and enabled us to advance as far as we did. It contains examples for nearly every occurrence imaginable, and if your search through alternate history and conspiracies, for all others as well. It is often said history will judge all of us, all actions and words. But how reliable it is? And how reliable was it for Mantell?
It is impossible to observe any field separately from others, especially in ToK, as the modern world has connected everything in ways unimaginable and unforeseeable. In another era, this will be far history, and French and US elections and Erdogan referendum and South China Sea dispute will be footnotes, no matter what they lead to, since more modern times are always more important than ancient ages.
As this year nears its end, we might not have ToK until September. But I have a feeling we will...
Till next time. Bring the damn towel 😉
I believe that, by now, Rosalind Franklin's work in uncovering the structure of DNA is widely respected, but she was near-forgotten in the decades closest to the very discovery, especially as women were not regularly awarded Nobel prizes. For years, schools taught that Watson and Crick had discovered the structure of the DNA - double helix - without mentioning Franklin, who was, according to some, pivotal to the discovery. In that opinion, Franklin analyzed the X-ray shots of DNA and made the conclusion which led to the Watson-Crick model.
"Think anyone will remember Maurice?"
(There was a fourth member of the team, Maurice Wilkins. You probably don't know him, though).
Richard Owen was, as a quick online search can confirm, a brilliant paleontologist, biologist and comparative anatomist; he was the Knight Commander of the Order of Bath and coined the word dinosauria. However, don't let his impressive list of titles and achievements fool you. He also carries the title of the only man Charles Darwin ever hated, and is credited with plagiarizing the work of Gideon Mantell and restricting work of several people, among them Robert Grant, Hugh Falconer and T. H. Huxley. The latter three discovered, at varying points in time, that their positions, samples, works and permits have been taken or revoked under Owen's influence, but that cannot even compare to Owen's handiwork against Mantell. After taking several works from Mantell, most importantly discovery of Iguanodon, Owen celebrated Mantell's spine injury by plagiarizing remainder of his work and renaming the species Mantell already named. Icing on the cake happened after Mantell committed suicide, both influenced by pain from his injuries and constant destruction of his work; his obituary was written anonymously, although many saw Owen's style in it, and it mentioned Mantell as mediocre scientist at best, and his work as sub-par. Have you heard of Mantell? Didn't think so. On the other hand, Owen is celebrated.
Owen was later kicked out of the Royal Society for plagiarism (finally).
Now, Mr. Owen, what does the IB Organization say of plagiarism...
Last historical "fact" before we start: Alfred Dreyfus, Jewish-French artillery officer, is guilty of treason against France. This lie has became so famous it has been named "The Dreyfus Affair"; in short, it was discovered in 1894. that somebody, probably a member of General Staff, was selling information about new artillery parts to Germany. Dreyfus was accused, and in less than three months was sent off to the Devil's Island to serve his sentence, after being publicly shamed and dishonored.
Devil's Island prison. Top-notch accommodation for traitors.
New French intelligence officer, Picquart, found evidence Dreyfus was innocent, but was forbidden from presenting them. After multiple threats and demands towards the court, Picquart was allowed to bring Dreyfus back for a second trial, after the true traitor, Esterhazy, was allowed to flee. Guess what? He was found guilty again, despite the evidence presented by Picquart. This sparked a vicious, occasionally violent debate about his guilt and antisemitism in France. He was only cleared of guilt in 1906. In history's eyes, in those 12 years Dreyfus was a traitor.
Dreyfus being named a traitor and stripped of rank.
This brings us to history and ToK. It would be idiotic to assume history as we know it today is absolutely true, especially as different nations have varying versions of events. Still, some history is better than no history, as long as it is not used to provoke emotions. History, in essence, is a set of stories, and all stories have potential to awaken emotions, as they talk of easy-to-relate personalities. Whether it is a last stand, an act of mercy, biography of a scientist or revenge for a genocide from centuries ago, there is something so deeply, personally enjoyable and attractive in each of these.
History can be said to contain all other fields in its body, as any event, discovery and work is placed in a coordinate system of time and place, in which history operates. You saw that for yourself: two out of my three examples of false history and mistakes relate to natural sciences. Tendency to note down important events has saved works from ages ago, and enabled us to advance as far as we did. It contains examples for nearly every occurrence imaginable, and if your search through alternate history and conspiracies, for all others as well. It is often said history will judge all of us, all actions and words. But how reliable it is? And how reliable was it for Mantell?
Which one do you trust more? Creepy "Walder Frey meets Scrooge"...
...or nice Victorian gentlemen scientist (disregard the Nick Cage look)?
It is impossible to observe any field separately from others, especially in ToK, as the modern world has connected everything in ways unimaginable and unforeseeable. In another era, this will be far history, and French and US elections and Erdogan referendum and South China Sea dispute will be footnotes, no matter what they lead to, since more modern times are always more important than ancient ages.
As this year nears its end, we might not have ToK until September. But I have a feeling we will...
Till next time. Bring the damn towel 😉
