The Disappearing Spoon Chp. 14

The Disappearing Spoon Chapter 14

Summary:

In the following chapter it talked about how science came together. As it also came together it became more and more expensive, so the only people that could find the mind blowing discoveries were people that had the means. It then talks about how Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who was a writer and also a scientist that made outrageous claims about science and politics. A major bold claim made by Goethe was the double reactions. He described the reaction like two marriages with the laws of attraction. Although making many outrageous claims, he helped launch Johann Dobrereiner’s career.

The last person that was talked about was Robert Lowell. He was not all there but this actually help him come out with different ideas. His madness however was also his downfall as it had started to fall into his life. Nothing back then was able to help him until Lithium came along. Lithium then became the first mood stabilizer and Lowell agreed to the medication and it did prevent the next episode. It also regulated the proteins that made this happen and after this his work changed and people noticed. The lifes of many were changed due to these medications.

Reflection:

    This chapter showed me the different faces of science. You think that people know what they talk about, but reading about Goethe reminds me of the way some politicians deceive people. I say deceive because Goethe published his ideas and influenced people, in a way he kind of deceived them. Reading about Lowell made me sad because he suffered through the thoughts in his mind and people enjoyed reading about it. Once he was well, people didn't enjoy his work anymore because he had changed. Overall, I throughly enjoyed reading this chapter for the storiea given and information told.

Guided Question:

1. Who was Johann Von Goethe? Was he a great scientist? Why or why not?
Johann Von Goethe was a writer and a scientist and he was not a great scientist because he always made outrageous claims and also claimed discoveries to be his.

2. How was Dobereiners triads the precursor to the periodic table? Why might iron, nickel and cobalt be considered a related triad (beyond the fact that they're metallic?)
Dobereiners triads were the precursor of the periodic table because it showed that the masses were similar.

3. What does the author mean when he says Mark Twain was prescient on p. 250?
The author meant that Mark Twain was trying to relate science fiction to scince.

4. What did the poet Robert Lowell mean when he said his brain lacked a little salt?
Robert Lowell meant that he needed the lithium medication to help him.

5. What other uses does lithium or lithium compounds have besides batteries and an anti-depressant?
Appliances and alloys for aircraft parts.

6. Read the note entitled "a hobby" on p. 200 in the back of the book and summarize your
understanding in 3-5 sentences.
Basically the words left of the equal sign equal the words on the right of the equal sign.