You know that signature file you may have – “Sent from my
[fabulous device name here]”? Our CEO here at SPIE, Eugene Arthurs, has one
that gives credit where credit is due, to photonics: “Multiple laser processes
were used to make this iPad. Many photons worked to bring you this message.”
This blog makes the case that photonics can make the world a
better place, and who can argue with the convenience and ease that is enabled
by these great smartphones and tablets? Yes indeed, there are photons aplenty
at work. But the latest column from Mark Morford, creatively infuriating (to
some) writer for SFGate, points out that those who get worked up over what’s
the latest and greatest, and the absolute best, are just wasting their energy,
because tomorrow it will be something else.
It’s reminiscent of the legend of the conquering Roman
generals, who were accompanied in their victory parades by a slave to whisper a
reminder in their ear: “All glory is fleeting.” Because, as Morford says, “The
wow factor of what our consumer tech can do is now so routinely high, so
commonplace, we look right past the fact we’re no longer heading toward a truly
miraculous tech age; we’re already there.”
He talks about the megapixel wars: “Digital photography has
been completely adequate for most consumers since about megapixel number three”
as well as endless geeky debates about operating systems, apps and whatnot. He
makes a great point…we take it for granted. “We all have access to everyday
tech so advanced, it is indistinguishable from magic.”
So it’s a good time to take a breath and acknowledge what makes a
lot of that everyday tech GO…optics and photonics. And in the interests of
raising awareness, keeping the industry strong, and generating more interest in
science among students, we have the National Photonics Initiative (NPI),
unveiled just last week. SPIE is a cosponsor. Think about how you can
contribute. How can you share what you do with people who don’t appreciate its
value? Convince a politician to continue/increase science funding? Help in the
schools to raise the profile of science in the curriculum? There are lots of
ways. Stay tuned to the latest news from the NPI.
Comments
Post a Comment