MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF SMALL SCIENCE, BIG SCIENCE AND TECHNOSCIENCE - SCIENCE - 2024

The most important aspects of small science, big science and technoscience are the orientation to create larger-scale objectives, the participation of the government in large transcendent projects and the acceleration in the production of scientific knowledge, respectively.

Science is called a branch of human knowledge made up of verifiable and objective knowledge that is obtained through observation and experimentation. Likewise, science operates from a systematized structure.

Thanks to great science it was possible for human beings to visit the Moon. Source: pixabay.com

This branch or form of study has many aspects, since it can be used for the development of medicine, technology, engineering, chemistry or other disciplines of an objective and verifiable cut.

Likewise, through the evolution of systems and tools, science has in turn branched into three other categories: small science, big science and technoscience. What each of these consists of and what is its importance today is explained below.

The little science

The term “small science” is used to designate smaller-scale scientific efforts in the field of research and dissemination within science and technology.

Generally, these projects or efforts are funded by a single person or a small group of individuals; in many cases they are small organizations or foundations.

This category of research is also known by the name of minor science, science of small contribution or science of small steps, since the contributions, investigations or reflections carried out do not require too many infrastructures or resources.

In fact, for this type of scientific practice, the basic thing is to have human resources; Apart from this, you only need a computer, Internet access and / or a telescope; It may also require a small group of chemicals, test tubes, and a filing cabinet.

Although the name “minor science” is considered by some to be a disqualification, this does not really mean that research or projects carried out within this category cannot produce notable experiments or achieve excellence.

Importance of small science

The importance of minor science resides in the fact that in many cases it helps to promote the extension of projects towards a more macro cut, since it establishes the pertinent orientations and objectives to create a study on a larger scale.

In addition, minor science or small science is widely practiced by university students, which allows them to develop creativity and encourage teamwork.

There are some projects in this branch that have been very successful later, such as Galois theory, the special theory of relativity and other studies carried out by acclaimed figures such as Bill Gates or Steve Jobs.

Great science

It is also known as major science or megascience. This concept seeks to describe a series of changes within scientific research that occurred in industrialized countries during the development of the Second World War, although it also encompasses the changes that occurred after this historical event.

In fact, at the end of the first half of the 20th century, scientific development increased notably, which allowed other large-scale projects to be inaugurated. These macro-projects are generally financed by the government or by a group of countries.

Unlike research carried out in small science, mega-science projects require highly advanced equipment and materials and complex facilities.

An example of a project carried out by mega-science is the so-called “Large Hadron Collider” (particle accelerator), whose costs exceed 10 billion dollars.

Importance of big science

On many occasions, the objectives of mega-science or higher science have been criticized, since in most cases these investigations or projects have been financed with the purpose of manufacturing weapons of war.

For example, during World War II the creation of the atomic bomb and the proximity fuze were carried out.

The link between technology, war and science is undeniable, since on more than one occasion they have been studied and developed together.

However, mega-science has also allowed the realization of positive projects that previously seemed impossible, such as the creation of spaceships or trips to the Moon.

Technoscience

Technoscience is a scientific production process that stands out for being “hyper-technological”, since it seeks to accelerate the production of technological knowledge in order to immediately solve a specific problem.

In other words, when the term "technoscience" is used, it is referring to the social and technological context of science. This discipline stands out mainly for stating that technology and science are not only linked, but also evolve together.

Therefore, scientific knowledge needs the technological infrastructure to advance and increase its potential.

Authors such as Edward Burnett Tylor, founder of modern anthropology, affirm that a culture or a civilization is made up of all those knowledge, customs, laws and beliefs that make up its context; therefore, culture is intimately linked with technology and science.

Previously, science was considered an intellectual activity that had little to do with technology; however, over the decades these disciplines have been complementing each other. Due to this union -which has been intensifying- the concept of technoscience was created.

Importance of technoscience

Technoscience is a very important discipline today since it aims to develop societies from technological innovations.

For this reason, technoscience has a very strong impact within communities; However, this impact can be positive or negative, since the final result of the innovations will depend on the way in which people use the new tools or new advances.

The grouping of technology and science has been used to develop political and economic strategies that in most cases improve the economy and the quality of life of people. However, in other circumstances, this combination has harmed the environment and fueled warfare between nations.

References

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