Category Archives: Society

Arts, History, Science, Society

Quantum Leaps: ‘Leonardo Da Vinci’

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1452 – 1519

It is something of an indulgence to include Leonardo Da Vinci in any study of scientists who changed the world, not least because most of his work remained unpublished and largely forgotten centuries after his death. His, however, was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant scientific minds of all time; arguably the biggest handicap preventing him from profoundly changing the world was the era in which he lived.

The genius of Leonardo’s designs for his inventions so far outstripped both his contemporaries’ intellectual grasp and contemporary technology that they were rendered literally inconceivable to anyone but him. If Leonardo could have teleported to Edison’s time, with his access to nineteenth century technology, one can only speculate how much more he may or may not have achieved than even Edison himself. But even in his own time, Leonardo’s achievements were notable:

. RENAISSANCE MAN

Leonardo is celebrated as the Renaissance artist who created such masterpieces as the Last Supper (1495 – 97) and the Mona Lisa (1503 – 06), yet much of his time was spent in scientific enquiry, often to the detriment of his art. The range of areas Leonardo examined was breathtaking. It included astronomy, geography, palaeontology, geology, botany, zoology, hydrodynamics, optics, aerodynamics and anatomy. In the later field, in particular, he undertook a number of human dissections, largely on stolen corpses, to make detailed sketches of the body. Irrespective of the breadth of his studies, however, perhaps the most important contribution Leonardo made to science was the method of his enquiry, introducing a rational, systematic approach to the study of nature after a thousand years of superstition. He would begin by setting himself straightforward scientific queries such as ‘How does a bird fly?’ Next, he would observe his subject in its natural environment, make notes on its behaviour, then repeat the observation over and over to ensure accuracy, before making sketches and ultimately drawing conclusions.

. AERODYNAMICS

Moreover, in many instances he could then directly apply the results of his enquiries into nature to designs for inventions for human use. For example, his work in aerodynamics led him to make sketches for several flying machines – which, potentially, could have flown – including a primitive helicopter, some five hundred years before the invention became a reality. He even envisaged the need for his flying machines to have a retractable landing gear to improve their aerodynamics once airborne. In 1485 he designed a parachute, three hundred years before becoming an actuality, and included calculations for the necessary size of material to safely bring to ground an object with the same weight as a human. He also had an excellent understanding of the workings of levers and gears, enabling him to design bicycles and cranes.

. HYDRODYNAMICS

Leonardo’s studies in hydrodynamics led to numerous sketches on designs for waterwheels and water-powered machines centuries before the industrial revolution. In addition, he sketched humidity-measuring equipment as well as a number of primitive diving suits, mostly with long snorkel devices to provide a supply of air.

. MILITARY INVENTIONS

During his work for the Duke of Milan between 1482 and 1499, Leonardo prepared an array of designs for weaponry such as catapults and missiles. Even in this arena, however, he could not help but create sketches of weapons that lay way ahead of their time such as hand-grenades, mortars, machine-type guns, a primitive tank and, most audaciously, a submarine.

Leonardo’s Influence

Any list of scientists ‘who could’ have changed the world, then Leonardo Da Vinci would surely be at the top of the list. But although many of the designs for his potentially world-changing creations were never published, his methodical approach to science marks a significant and symbolic stepping-stone from the Dark Ages into the modern era.

Hoping to secure employment with the Duke of Milan, he wrote to him that his areas of expertise included: the construction of bridges and irrigation canals, the designing of military weapons and architecture, as well as painting and sculpture. To add to the list, Leonardo is also credited with being the first ever person to conceive of a bicycle.

Supplementary appendage:

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Leonardo Da Vinci painting: The Mona Lisa. An oil painting by the Italian Renaissance artist which was created in 1503.

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Britain, European Union, Government, Politics, Society

View: Sir John Major and the Brexit vote

BRITAIN

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Intro: Crucially, however, if Sir John accepts the democratic decision, his counsel would surely be better deployed by helping Theresa May achieve the best possible deal for Britain

IN the space of just ten days, we have had two high profile speeches from two former British prime ministers. Both have entered the Brexit fray at a critical moment in the passage of the Article 50 Bill through Parliament.

First, Tony Blair, the former Labour prime minister, has called for a mass movement to overturn the result of the June 23 plebiscite. Mr Blair is orchestrating his campaign through a new foundation, a lobby group, titled Open Britain. Now, Sir John Major, the former Conservative prime minister, has waded into the debate. Sir John warns of all sorts of pitfalls ahead as Britain negotiates its exit from the European Union.

The former Conservative leader does not follow his successor in Downing Street by proposing a campaign to reverse the democratic decision of the electorate. Unlike Mr Blair, Sir John says that while he considers Brexit to be a ‘historic mistake’ it was one the British people were entitled to make.

John Major’s principal concern is with what he regards as the over-optimistic and rather simplistic expectations of those who desire a clean break with Europe. He fears for the future of the United Kingdom if Scotland were to hold another independence referendum, as well as for peace in Northern Ireland. Sir John says trade deals will be hard to achieve, the cost of leaving the EU will be substantial and that there will be long-term political consequences.

All of these points were made by various factions within the Remain camp during the referendum campaign, but the vote went against them. Sir John says that Remainers are howled down when they continue to express their opposition to Brexit, inferring an impingement against the traditions of free speech in Britain. Some will believe that Sir John’s protests are overexuberant.

One reason why some Brexiteers are overreacting to the criticisms of the referendum result is because they believe efforts are under way to reverse it. Indeed, some have argued that Mr Blair is leading those efforts in consort with Sir John Major.

Crucially, however, if Sir John accepts the democratic decision, his counsel would surely be better deployed by helping Theresa May achieve the best possible deal for Britain.

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Britain, European Union, Government, Politics, Society, Uncategorized

Sir John Major delivers a stinging attack on Brexit

BRITAIN

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Former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major has referred to Theresa May’s language on Brexit as “cheap rhetoric”.

Intro: In his Chatham House address, Sir John pulls few punches over his fears for the consequences for the UK once Article 50 is triggered and the UK prepares to quit the bloc

Sir John Major has delivered a withering assessment of Brexit, warning the UK will become reliant on an unpredictable Donald Trump, risks making the poorest “worse off” and could unleash Europe-wide populism marked by “bigotry, prejudice and intolerance”.

In a speech, the former Conservative Prime Minister, making a rare intervention in British politics, calls the vote an “historic mistake”, warns Theresa May of “cheap rhetoric”, and criticises Brexiters for “shouting down” those who want to remain in the European Union, encouraging them not to “keep quiet and toe the line”.

His comments echo those made by fellow ex-PM Tony Blair, who two weeks ago waded back into British politics by urging the public to “rise up” and change their mind on Brexit if Theresa May tries to quit the EU “at any cost”.

Both Sir John and Mr Blair campaigned for Remain ahead of the referendum, and shared a platform to make the case not to quit the EU.

In his Chatham House address, Sir John pulls few punches over his fears for the consequences for the UK once Article 50 is triggered and the UK prepares to quit the bloc.

He says he has been contacted by Remain voters of all political persuasions who are “in dismay, even despair”.

“They do not deserve to be told that …. they must keep quiet and toe the line,” he says, appearing to encourage protest.  “A popular triumph at the polls – even in a referendum – does not take away the right to disagree – nor the right to express that dissent.”

He says “freedom of speech” is not “undermining the will of the people”, a frequent charge levelled at ‘Remoaners’.  “They are the people,” he adds. “Shouting down their legitimate comment is against all our traditions of tolerance.  It does nothing to inform and everything to demean – and it is time it stopped.”

Sir John goes on to back Parliament having the final say on the Brexit vote: “Our Parliament is not a rubber stamp, and should not be treated as if it were.”

He also fears breaking ties with the EU will mean becoming “far more dependent upon the United States”, and appears to have little confidence in President Trump being the UK’s salvation, arguing the UK is reliant on a “President less predictable, less reliable and less attuned to our free market and socially liberal instincts than any of his predecessors”.

He goes on to suggest Brexit will diminish the ‘special relationship’. “Once we are out of the EU, our relationship with the United States will change. She needs a close ally inside the EU:  once outside, that can no longer be us.”

Against a backdrop of right-wing parties in strong positions ahead of elections across Europe this year, Sir John thinks Brexit has “energised the anti-EU, anti-immigrant nationalists that are growing in number in France, Germany, Holland – and other European countries”.

He says: “None of these populist groups is sympathetic to the broadly tolerant and liberal instincts of the British.  Nonetheless, their pitch is straightforward.

“If Britain – sober, stable, moderate, reliable Britain, with its ancient Parliament and anti-revolutionary history – can break free of a repressive bureaucracy in Brussels, why, then ‘so can anyone’.  It is a potent appeal.”

He adds: “I caution everyone to be wary of this kind of populism.  It seems to be a mixture of bigotry, prejudice and intolerance.  It scapegoats minorities.  It is a poison in any political system – destroying civility and decency and understanding.  Here in the UK we should give it short shrift, for it is not the people we are – nor the country we are.”

Sir John fears trade negotiations are “already sour”, and calls for a “little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric”. And he is concerned the people who voted to leave Europe to improve their lives will be disappointed.

“If events go badly, their expectations will not be met, and whole communities will be worse off.  The particular fear I have is that those most likely to be hurt will be those least able to protect themselves.”

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