Week 9: The Visual, the Body and the Social Body

This form of visualization is used to explain and debate certain scientific findings. Scientists are frequently seen to be using modes of visualization in order to communicate their research and findings to the public, or to try and get a point across. This can be done through graphs, diagrams, physical sculptures or even just pictures. One of the readings which can be found here http://www.metro.co.uk/news/147937-struggling-polar-bears-put-on-endangered-list is an article about how the US government has recently put polar bears on the endangered species list, as a result of global warming, and how environmentalists are angry that no action is being taken to "tackle climate change".


The image and form of visualization in this article is the picture positioned below the title. This photo depicts a polar bear struggling to stay a hold an ice berg, which is has been melted severely and is now surrounded by water.

 It is explained in the caption that images of these polar bears are commonly being used on posters to represent climate change. This image relates to the process and event of climate change in the way that it shows the immediate effect that this issue is having on animals in the environment, and the suffering which is occurring as a result.

The effect of this being published is that it allows for people to view the issue with their own eyes rather than just hear/read about it, which enables them to form a personal connection with the issue. The visualization can also result in individuals feeling quite sorry for the endangered species. This particular visualization therefore functions to accompany the article and affect the public and will hopefully assist in more support towards overcoming this issue. Therefore, I find this to be quite an effective form of visualization. When first viewing it myself, I definitely held sympathy for these animals and wanted to read more about the scientific findings how I can possibly help.

References:

Unknown. (2011). Struggling polar bears put on endangered list.Available: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/147937-struggling-polar-bears-put-on-endangered-list. Last accessed 5/5/2011