Cockroach

I found this painting on the internet, though it did not have an author's name attributed to it. I thought this paining--titles "Cockroach Family"--could be an interesting addition to the Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art because it show cockroaches in a different light than we are used to seeing them in.

The first thing about this picture, is that the cockroaches are portrayed as humans. They are clearly a family and their appearance is less repulsive than usual. While the intent of the author might have been on meaning, I think it goes along with our book Cockroach because the book itself goes into great detail about cockroach and shows them in a different light than we are used to seeing. We are all used to seeing cockroaches as repulsive disgusting creatures that are a symbol of filth. But this painting characterizes them as a wholesome family. This photo and its accompanying pose is one that many families have probably done in their portraits. Thus, I think this painting would be good to display because it teaches us all that things are not always what they seem, and perhaps there's a little bit of good in everything.

 

Expanding the scope...

Biopunk forced me to consider many issues regarding "citizen science" and whether ordinary citizens had the right (or even the ability) to explore science on their own. A question that arose in my mind during the readings is whether those mentioned in the book are the rule or the exception.

I remember reading the chapter about Gregory Mendel and how he did not have too much success in life at first. Scientists even thought he suffered from extreme test anxiety because he failed to become certified as a teacher. Though he had his share of failures, he eventually became one of the most innovative figures in science as we know. Mendel conducted his own experiences with pea plants and established that certain traits were passed on from generation to generation. Thus, Mendel posed the first questions that gave rise to the science of inherited traits.

While Mendel's story is an inspiring one, how many are destined to follow in his path? Is it safe to have any average citizen take it upon himself to conduct scientific experiments just because people like Mendel have? There is no doubt that Mendel had an extraordinary mind even if other personal issues kept him from advancing to further careers. What if Mendel is the exception and not the rule? Are all destined to succeed like him or must we accept that not all possess the same intellect as Mendel, and therefore, might not succeed in their experiments?