Author: Alci (Page 2 of 2)

SA 1

The New Yorker: “You name It “

This part of the book intrigued me and made me contemplate my childhood
memories and draw connections to prior knowledge of T-Rex and other species’
genus names. I believe this source was created to inform people about a man
named “Carl Linnaeus” whose goal was to name all life. The source goes in-depth
and teaches us about Carl Linnaeus: his goals, background, research, what he liked
and didn’t like, where he traveled, etc. As I said earlier, reading this source
unlocked memories that seem forgotten, as a child my brother and I loved
watching documentaries about life, we would watch all the shows on channels
such as Animal Planet, Discovery Planet, etc. We would also collect cards of every
animal and if we had spares trade them with other people and get new cards of
different creatures. During the time the source was created, “1750s” it was
groundbreaking knowledge and revolutionized the way we categorize species
today.

Bibliography of the Book “The New Yorker”
The Critics Section

• Author: Kathryn Schultz
• Article: “Categorizing Carl Linnaeus”
  
• Source 2: North American Birds Will No Longer Be Named for Racists — or
  Anybody Else
  
• So, this source was unlike anything I ever read, it was unique and allowed me
  to imagine and view multiple perspectives. I agree when the author stated
  “But symbols have always mattered to our species. Like names themselves,
  they tell us something about who we are, what we value, and how we belong
  to the world.” This statement is so true, names are who we are, and although
  people might share the same name, each name of the person has its own
  identity and morals too. The author goes in-depth explaining why the northern birds have a person’s name getting changed whether they were racist or not. The author also delves into the history and colonial backgrounds of some of the bird’s names. For instance, John James Audubon, who was a naturalist for whom Audubon’s shearwater is named, was an unrepentant slaveholder who opposed emancipation. The author also talks about an incident that occurred that ultimately led to the idea of “Birds Name for Birds”. The incident occurred in 2020 when a white woman in Central Park lied to the police, claiming that a Black birder named Christian Cooper had threatened her. Reflecting on both of the sources, they share similar characteristics and key ideas around the “Names” and how they hold meanings of the past and can have solutions to the future.
  
• Bibliography for the essay “North American Birds Will No Longer Be
  Named for Racists — or Anybody Else.”
• Author name- Margaret Renki
• Published date: 9/13/2023
• Sources used inside the essay: MacArthur Fellow J. Drew Lanham in “9
  Rules for the Black Birdwatcher. Essay appeared in 2013

Visiting the Missouri Botanical Gardens and delving into the archives alongside my research team was an enriching experience. The archives housed a plethora of plant specimens dating as far back as the 18th century. What fascinated me the most was the historical narrative encapsulated within these documents. Each document or plant specimen contributed a piece to the larger story, which unfolded as we organized and examined them collectively.

One particular plant that caught my attention was Sporobolus wrightii. Despite its age dating back to 1840, it appeared remarkably well-preserved, resembling some variety of wheat or grain. Additionally, I found it intriguing to note that some documents originated from regions now within present-day America but were listed as part of Mexico at the time. Moreover, newer archives included detailed information such as species-genus and location of discovery. My curiosity led me to investigate the origins and purposes behind these archives. It became evident that many botanists undertook expeditions to explore diverse regions, collecting both new and known plant species for research purposes. The documents contained a diverse array of plant species spanning various historical periods and geographical regions. While lacking in narrative, one could speculate about the context based on the year and location of discovery.

During our visit, we were challenged to identify instances of potential within the documents and discern opportunities to fill in any gaps. I concluded that instances of potential could be found in unidentified species documented within the archives. Uncovering and understanding the stories they hold could offer valuable insights for our research or simply contribute to our collective knowledge.

In conclusion, my visit to the Missouri Botanical Gardens and the exploration of its archives were not just educational endeavors but transformative experiences that deepened my appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural world. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of botanical history, I am reminded of the profound impact that human curiosity and ingenuity have had on our understanding of the world around us.

Here’s a couple images I took during our visit.