"Where am I?" is a crucial question for survival. Answering it, from the sci-fi discoveries of navigational neurons to a master horologist forgotten by history, is a tale worth your time.
One thing most people don't realize is the the GPS system is all based on time as well! The triangulation is highly intricate, relying on time lapses between radio signals between the satellites and the receiver. The time pieces in the satellite system rely on atomic decay and are reliable down to 3 nanoseconds. Yes, that is 3 billionths of a second. Hence, we have incredible accuracy for about any place on earth receiving the signals from them.
Sobel’s “Longitude” is an entertaining and thrilling read. When I read it, I probably assumed that the political dynamics challenging Harrison’s inventions were a thing of the past. Sadly, the Covid era disputes that.
Indeed! It’s the most gripping account, but some of the early history is made up and isn’t accurately introduced that way; it’s just presented as fact.
I liked Longitude a lot and it illustrated to me how organized science started largely to solve problems, not just out of curiosity. It may not be widely known that science productivity, measured as the number of breakthrough innovations per scientist, has declined almost continuously in the past 4-5 decades (https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/ideas-arent-running-out-they-are-getting-more-expensive-find). Another way of putting it is that despite huge increases in science spending since the 60s, the number of breakthrough innovations has not budged significantly from their level in the 40-50s (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05543-x). Why this is the case is unclear, but people have suggested that reforms of the way science is governed and managed are needed (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/02/05/universities-are-failing-to-boost-economic-growth, see also. When Science Meets Power by Geoff Mulgan). Like the X-prize you mentioned, many of these suggestions would take us partly back to how science was done before WWII. For example, it has been proposed that we put more emphasis on funding individuals longer term instead of short-term projects and on doing science that connects more directly to societal outcomes (e.g. Focused Research Organizations). Sometimes the past does point us towards doing things better in the future.
Yes, I agree with that and I do think there is substantial opportunity to rethink funding models for research (in the UK, trying to always quantify research output incentivises small, fast work that often changes very little post publication because the reward system rewards quantity over quality).
Fascinating in general, and the neurons in particular. Are any neurochemists looking into the effect of testosterone on such neurons, producing a false sense of overconfidence that explains why men refuse to stop and ask for directions?
Interesting. I like the connection drawn between the problem on longitude and issues of policy supporting research today. Unfortunately, a lot of support for basic research has been cut in favor of applied research, or left to the private sector. An excellent book on this topic is The Entrepreneurial State by Mariana Mazzucato. Also, in navigation it is ded. reckoning, as in deduced reckoning - estimating a position by forwarding from the last certain known position using elapsed time, speed, and direction. Once a very useful skill in coastal piloting during poor weather, it's now rapidly becoming a lost art.
What a super interesting guy! I listened to the blog above then also started listening to his Constructor Theory, Scaffolding and Constraints which fascinated me. I was familiar with Talib’s writing about “black swans” and resilience and the breadth of Snowden’s curiosity is fascinating. I’m glad I read your note, thank you.
Thank you for the further information.I have always been extremely curious about the natural world and universe and although starting life in engineering I had a lot of physcial and biological sciences and every since reading James Gleick's book, "Chaos" I have been fascinated by some of the fundamental aspects of the physics of chaotic nature, especially when it comes to aerodynamics since I spent almost 50 years flying airplanes.
Compeititions and prizes are great for spurring innovation and for get people involved. My son is planning to study aerospace engineering due to his involvement in a UKROC, a youth rocketry competition sponsored by UK aerospace companies.
One thing most people don't realize is the the GPS system is all based on time as well! The triangulation is highly intricate, relying on time lapses between radio signals between the satellites and the receiver. The time pieces in the satellite system rely on atomic decay and are reliable down to 3 nanoseconds. Yes, that is 3 billionths of a second. Hence, we have incredible accuracy for about any place on earth receiving the signals from them.
Sobel’s “Longitude” is an entertaining and thrilling read. When I read it, I probably assumed that the political dynamics challenging Harrison’s inventions were a thing of the past. Sadly, the Covid era disputes that.
Indeed! It’s the most gripping account, but some of the early history is made up and isn’t accurately introduced that way; it’s just presented as fact.
I just bought Fluke and joined the club. What a fantastic group of brainiac nerds!
Welcome!
Another great column on an obscure but very important topic.
I liked Longitude a lot and it illustrated to me how organized science started largely to solve problems, not just out of curiosity. It may not be widely known that science productivity, measured as the number of breakthrough innovations per scientist, has declined almost continuously in the past 4-5 decades (https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/ideas-arent-running-out-they-are-getting-more-expensive-find). Another way of putting it is that despite huge increases in science spending since the 60s, the number of breakthrough innovations has not budged significantly from their level in the 40-50s (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05543-x). Why this is the case is unclear, but people have suggested that reforms of the way science is governed and managed are needed (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/02/05/universities-are-failing-to-boost-economic-growth, see also. When Science Meets Power by Geoff Mulgan). Like the X-prize you mentioned, many of these suggestions would take us partly back to how science was done before WWII. For example, it has been proposed that we put more emphasis on funding individuals longer term instead of short-term projects and on doing science that connects more directly to societal outcomes (e.g. Focused Research Organizations). Sometimes the past does point us towards doing things better in the future.
Yes, I agree with that and I do think there is substantial opportunity to rethink funding models for research (in the UK, trying to always quantify research output incentivises small, fast work that often changes very little post publication because the reward system rewards quantity over quality).
Fascinating in general, and the neurons in particular. Are any neurochemists looking into the effect of testosterone on such neurons, producing a false sense of overconfidence that explains why men refuse to stop and ask for directions?
Interesting. I like the connection drawn between the problem on longitude and issues of policy supporting research today. Unfortunately, a lot of support for basic research has been cut in favor of applied research, or left to the private sector. An excellent book on this topic is The Entrepreneurial State by Mariana Mazzucato. Also, in navigation it is ded. reckoning, as in deduced reckoning - estimating a position by forwarding from the last certain known position using elapsed time, speed, and direction. Once a very useful skill in coastal piloting during poor weather, it's now rapidly becoming a lost art.
Thought you might appreciate this narrative of the Longitude Problem by David Snowden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2AijRoXnvE
What a super interesting guy! I listened to the blog above then also started listening to his Constructor Theory, Scaffolding and Constraints which fascinated me. I was familiar with Talib’s writing about “black swans” and resilience and the breadth of Snowden’s curiosity is fascinating. I’m glad I read your note, thank you.
The gentleman is one of my mentors. His Cynefin sensemaking framework changed the direction of my career. https://thecynefin.co
Thank you for the further information.I have always been extremely curious about the natural world and universe and although starting life in engineering I had a lot of physcial and biological sciences and every since reading James Gleick's book, "Chaos" I have been fascinated by some of the fundamental aspects of the physics of chaotic nature, especially when it comes to aerodynamics since I spent almost 50 years flying airplanes.
Compeititions and prizes are great for spurring innovation and for get people involved. My son is planning to study aerospace engineering due to his involvement in a UKROC, a youth rocketry competition sponsored by UK aerospace companies.