Weak Links, Strong Ties and Transnational Actors

This week’s reading has opened up a number of questions regarding the way in which knowledge is transferred, and the actors and networks that are established to communicate this information.

Lux has highlighted the importance of ‘weak links’ and the influence it has in transferring knowledge between different historical agents. For example, Lux uses the example of the Calvinist minister Hermann Buschoff and the links which consequently became established between Indonesia, the Netherlands and England. Just as we have previously seen with the OXO cube, Buschoff treatment of gout by the ‘Indian Doctress’ created a series of transnational networks which led to improvements in medical uses of what we would now call Amoxicillin. Buschoff was, by all accounts, unwillingly persuaded by his wife to seek treatment from a local woman to relieve the pain caused by gout in his feet. The local woman used a number of herbal remedies which eased his pain, and resultantly Buschoff relayed the information to his son still in the Netherlands. A domino effect, regarding the transfer of this medical knowledge, was established through a series of weak interpersonal relationships. The case of Buschoff, the treaties published back in the Netherlands, and the consequent spread of medical Moxi throughout Europe came as the result of what Lux terms ‘weak ties’. The transfer of information in this way is characteristic of the early modern period, and serves to demonstrate the impetus that reputation had on the validity of knowledge. This is perhaps why early scientific knowledge was confined to the elite social circles of men, with science experiments being conducted behind closed doors, and the relaying of information done by the few men in the closed circles who witnessed such experiments. Today, the transfer of knowledge done in this way would seem absurd, but it was characteristic of the early modern period. Reputation was closely associated to the gravitas of scientific information. Furthermore, correspondence between men interested in furthering knowledge was usually conducted by a mutual intermediary. Lux further uses the example of Henry Oldenburg, whose correspondence was almost entirely done through a middle man. However, such a way of conducting business meant that information slowly proliferated outwards, and penetrated other small social circles establishing weak intellectual networks. Today, it is far easier to read an academic journal online and directly contact the author, typically through a quick google search, and establish a form of correspondence. A mutual contact is unnecessary, especially in the academic world and the pursuit of knowledge. However, during the early modern period, it was not only the social norm to have a middle man of mutual understanding, but also it ensured that ones work could be vouched for and strengthened in validity.

Secord’s work focuses on the limits of disciplinary boundaries within the spread of scientific knowledge and the history of science. He notes that it was not until 1988 that the first conference was held between British and North American academics to discuss the history of science. It was the first time that a conference was held to further understanding, and understand the history of science through a number of different approaches. Conferences, such as the one held in Manchester in 1988 help to strengthen histories place in the transnational sphere. With historians from different backgrounds/specialties, and more importantly (in this case) different nations, a more in depth understanding of the discipline can be explored. It allows for open discussion, which is not so easily achieved through the publication of literature, historians can debate opposing interpretations in a more informal setting of a conference. The importance of discussion should not be disregarded over the publication of books and journals. Instead, conferences such as that held in 1988 are extremely important to the transfer of knowledge and the growth of historical understanding.