The Cultural Significance of Visualization Technologies

Kirsten OstherrDept. of English

Key points

1. The way you visualize information shapes the meaning of the information. (Tufte)

Key points

1. The way you visualize information shapes the meaning of the information. (Tufte)

2. Since the invention of photography in the mid-1800s, technologies of visualization have become increasingly ubiquitous around the world. (Crary)

Key points

1. The way you visualize information shapes the meaning of the information. (Tufte)

2. Since the invention of photography in the mid-1800s, technologies of visualization have become increasingly ubiquitous around the world. (Crary)

3. The act of visualizing data has important historical, cultural, economic, political, scientific and aesthetic dimensions. (Ostherr)

So…

visualizing data is an act of interpretation, as is analysis of visualization practices.

and both are engaged with important aspects of digital humanities.

Extremely brief overview ofthe cultural significance of medical visualizations

Wilhelm Röntgen

Hand mit Ringen (Hand with Rings)

22 December 1895

Rudolph Matas, MD

“The Cinematograph as an Aid to Medical Education and Research: A Lecture Illustrated by Moving Pictures of Ultramicroscopic Life in the Blood and Tissues, and of Surgical Operations”

(1912)

Ètienne-Jules Marey

Ètienne-Jules Marey

Jean ComandonCroissance des végétaux (The Growth of Plants)

(1929)

Imaging modalities, left to right:CT, MRI, PET/Nuclear, Ultrasound, X-Ray

(Boston Museum of Science, The Art of Imaging online gallery)

“Results Unproven, Robotic Surgery Wins Converts” (NY Times 2/14/10)