David M. Scienceman
Encyclopedia
Dr David M. Scienceman is an Australian scientist; he changed his name from David Slade by deed poll
in 1972.
Dr Scienceman has a mathematics and physics degree and gained his PhD from the chemical engineering department at Sydney University (Australia) on a scholarship from the Australian Atomic Energy Commission
(Cadzow 1984). He is the author of the emergy
nomenclature, and associated concept of Emergy Synthesis
.
in 1976, a group of American feminists told him his new name was unbearably sexist. He saw their point and decided that a better title for members of the Scientific Party would be "Sciencemate" (Cadzow 1984).
(1972 Wiley InterScience). Environment, Power and Society was dedicated to H.T. Odum's father Howard Washington Odum, an American sociologist and technocrat
who, "suggested a synthesis of science and society" (1972, p.viii). It looks at humanity from the point of view of energy systems analysis, and systems ecology
. In a 1984 interview with Dr. Scienceman, Jane Cadzow wrote in the Australian newspaper that Dr. Scienceman was totally converted to H.T. Odum's idea that everything is based on energy. As H.T. Odum wrote, "Power is a common denominator to all processes and materials" (1972, p. 21). For Cadzow
This is to say that political parties, policies, biological and ecological systems can all have kilowatt ratings just like a home electric appliance. From this point of view the best way to understand a country's economic system is to trace, then measure the flow of energy around it. In H.T. Odum's words,
nomenclature. For example Scienceman began a letter to the editor
of the Ecological Engineering
journal (1997, p. 209):
Writing in response to this letter H.T. Odum (1997, p. 215) wrote:
Deed poll
A deed poll is a legal document binding only to a single person or several persons acting jointly to express an active intention...
in 1972.
Dr Scienceman has a mathematics and physics degree and gained his PhD from the chemical engineering department at Sydney University (Australia) on a scholarship from the Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
The Australian Atomic Energy Commission was a statutory body of the Australian government.It was established in 1952, replacing the Atomic Energy Policy Committee. In 1981 parts of the Commission were split off to become part of CSIRO, the remainder continuing until 1987, when it was replaced by...
(Cadzow 1984). He is the author of the emergy
Emergy
Emergy is the available energy of one kind that is used up in transformations directly and indirectly to make a product or service. Emergy accounts for, and in effect, measures quality differences between forms of energy. Emergy is an expression of all the energy used in the work processes that...
nomenclature, and associated concept of Emergy Synthesis
Emergy synthesis
Emergy synthesis is a method employing emergy algebra for combining the constituent elements of separate materials or abstract entities into a single or unified entity or system. The conception of synthesis is formally analogous to the concept used by electronic engineers Emergy synthesis is a...
.
"Scienceman"
J. McGhee (1990) wrote that the change of name from David Slade to David Scienceman was an experiment to create a movement of scientifically aware politicians. In a world dominated by scientific achievements and problems, the then Dr. Slade believed that there should be a political party that represented the scientific point of view (Cadzow 1984). He envisaged a Scientific Party, where the members would be required to have mastery of one easily available, readable and comprehensible book of general science (ibid). People who did so would need an identifying title, and so the then Dr. Slade proposed the title of "Scienceman", and changed his name accordingly in an experiment to familiarise people with the name, and to gauge its popular appeal.Sciencemate
At a meeting of the World Future SocietyWorld Future Society
The World Future Society is a nonprofit educational and scientific organization in Bethesda, Maryland, US, founded in 1966.The Society investigates how social, economic and technological developments are shaping the future...
in 1976, a group of American feminists told him his new name was unbearably sexist. He saw their point and decided that a better title for members of the Scientific Party would be "Sciencemate" (Cadzow 1984).
The sciencemate book
The book that Dr. Scienceman preferred was Environment, Power and Society by the 'father' of ecosystems ecology, Professor Howard T. OdumHoward T. Odum
Howard Thomas Odum was an American ecologist...
(1972 Wiley InterScience). Environment, Power and Society was dedicated to H.T. Odum's father Howard Washington Odum, an American sociologist and technocrat
Technocracy (bureaucratic)
Technocracy is a form of government where technical experts are in control of decision making in their respective fields. Economists, engineers, scientists, health professionals, and those who have knowledge, expertise or skills would compose the governing body...
who, "suggested a synthesis of science and society" (1972, p.viii). It looks at humanity from the point of view of energy systems analysis, and systems ecology
Systems ecology
Systems ecology is an interdisciplinary field of ecology, taking a holistic approach to the study of ecological systems, especially ecosystems. Systems ecology can be seen as an application of general systems theory to ecology. Central to the systems ecology approach is the idea that an ecosystem...
. In a 1984 interview with Dr. Scienceman, Jane Cadzow wrote in the Australian newspaper that Dr. Scienceman was totally converted to H.T. Odum's idea that everything is based on energy. As H.T. Odum wrote, "Power is a common denominator to all processes and materials" (1972, p. 21). For Cadzow
This is to say that political parties, policies, biological and ecological systems can all have kilowatt ratings just like a home electric appliance. From this point of view the best way to understand a country's economic system is to trace, then measure the flow of energy around it. In H.T. Odum's words,
Author of emergy nomenclature
In various, sometimes difficult to obtain, publications Scienceman claimed to be the author of the emergyEmergy
Emergy is the available energy of one kind that is used up in transformations directly and indirectly to make a product or service. Emergy accounts for, and in effect, measures quality differences between forms of energy. Emergy is an expression of all the energy used in the work processes that...
nomenclature. For example Scienceman began a letter to the editor
Letter to the editor
A letter to the editor is a letter sent to a publication about issues of concern from its readers. Usually, letters are intended for publication...
of the Ecological Engineering
Ecological engineering
Ecological engineering is an emerging study of integrating ecology and engineering, concerned with the design, monitoring and construction of ecosystems...
journal (1997, p. 209):
Writing in response to this letter H.T. Odum (1997, p. 215) wrote: