Lighting Design: Perception and Culture - Article Example

LIGHTING DESIGN: PERCEPTION & CULTURE Introduction The world is a beautiful place, with different people, landscape and environmental features of different types. We can perceive the world in this respect because we have the ability to see all that is in it and what happens at any point in time. The thing that enables us to perceive all these things in this world is light, which through reflection, people and animals can enjoy life and manage their routine activities. Light can be defined as the electromagnetic radiations that happen within certain portions of an electromagnetic spectrum. The best word to be used in this definition is visible light, which means that it can be seen by the human eye (Robertson and Brian 2003). The eye is an organ that is tasked with the ability to respond to light, thus enabling the ability to see. In this regard, visible light is often described as that which has a wavelength ranging from between 400 nanometres to 700 nanometres, most of which is between the longer wavelengths referred to as the infrared and corresponding shorter wavelengths better known as ultraviolet (Johnstone 2007). For this reason, it is important to understand that the ultraviolet and infrared rays are also referred as light. On earth, the sun is the source of all forms of light. It provides light which green plants often use in the process of creating sugars in the form of starch. Later, this starch releases energy into many of the other living things, which on this green matter. In this perspective, the photosynthetic process in plants plays a big role in providing energy to all forms of life on earth (Yu 2011). Historically, another significant source of light known to man has been fire, ranging from the ancient campfires to the modern time kerosene and electric lamps (Robertson and Brian 2003). The invention of modern sources of light like electricity has played a crucial role in replacing the ancient concepts of firelight. Lighting technology has so far influenced different aspects of human life and activities on earth. This paper examines some of the developments in lighting technology and how its various features have continued to influence human activities on earth. The importance of the lighting technology, a historical perspective For a long period of time, light has been the single factor that has largely contributed to the course of life for all living features on earth. If there was no single trace of light, the whole world would have been in deep darkness, with few or no forms of life. Light is responsible for the photosynthetic process in plants, which later supplies food to all other forms of life (Yu 2011). What man has done in the past is simply using the already existing natural light in order to modify and create other systems from it, which improves the quality of life on the face of the earth. It is important to note that in all human activities on the face of the earth, light is very central. Besides the previously discussed concept of photosynthesis, light can be described as being central and critical to existence of all forms of life. Additionally, the many different applications of light in existence have been instrumental in revolutionizing the human society in the fields of medicine, entertainment, communication and culture among others (Yu 2011). Industries that are based on light have continued to become major drivers of the economy. Furthermore, light-based technologies also seem to respond directly to the different needs of people through provision of access to information, promotion of sustainable development as well as increasing the societal well-being and health. Light has evolved to become an essential cross-cutting discipline in the fields of engineering and science especially for the 21st century; we can easily conclude that many of the young and bright minds will continue to be pulled towards various careers that exist in this field (Johnstone 2007). Almost all of the different fields in science have developed their theories depending on the concept of light and how it interacts with matter. In this regard, it is possible to acknowledge the fact that light is one of the major and essential messengers towards an effective comprehension of the universe and its expansive subatomic world. In terms of the history of light, it spans hundreds of centuries involving all of the major figures in science. It was until the 20th century that modern theories of light, invention and use of lasers became widely accepted and used (Yu 2011). In the same period, there has also been a widespread deployment of various photonic devices in improving the society as well as appreciation of the significant position which light seems to occupy in the fabric of time and space. It is important to note that the light’s spectrum especially from the X-rays to infrared lasers leads to development of various technologies that are significant to human life (Yu 2011). The development of optical technologies has been instrumental in revolutionizing medical treatments and the diagnostics. Photonics and light are soon becoming some of the major enablers of technologies as we head into the future. Light can be described as the means though which people can see themselves and the environment in which they live. Additionally, light can also been seen as a very essential component of art and culture, which is an effective symbol that unifies the entire world. Cultural and scientific features of light From the foregone discussion, it is evident the light is a very significant subject that cuts out rightly across culture and science. By studying and understanding the aspects of photosynthesis and biology, it is clear that light is central to the origin and growth of life on earth (Robertson and Brian 2003). The technology and science of light are very critical as far as future development of humanity is concerned, as well as the search for solutions to most of the global problems and challenges in healthcare and sustainability via international cooperation. Through studies and research in issues of fundamental science that ranges from cosmology to particle physics, light offers a very important window to the entire universe, such that efforts in understanding light and its properties have resulted in different revolutions in the fields of engineering and science (Robertson and Brian 2003). It is important to acknowledge that light has heavily impacted on our society through literature, music as well as philosophies across the many centuries. Light can be described as an important subject that effectively unifies humanity on the face of the earth. All people across the world, see the same sun rising and falling in the horizon, something that has prompted all cultures of the world to express almost the same wonder towards the beauty of the natural light, which is often seen in some of the its effects like the rainbow (Johnstone 2007). Therefore, light is a very inspiring subject for science and art as well as promotion of education especially for the young people. In these particular fields, there is a natural lever in the promotion of higher education as well as encouraging different careers for the multidisciplinary fields in totality. Conclusion In conclusion, one of the most essential aspects of the educational activities, which has ability to highlight complex ways in science and the society on the international front is by understanding the history of light and its developmental path. The process of highlighting the often familiar human stories is a very inspiring and educational outreach activity especially for the new generation. It is important to ensure that science and technology has become very relevant towards the development as well as sustainability of various human activities. Many of the contemporary optical technologies often play important roles in the development of low carbon lighting that uses solar energy. It also improves some of the areas like disease prevention, agriculture and purification of water among others. Notes Johnstone, Bob. Brilliant!: Shuji Nakamura and the Revolution in Lighting Technology. Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2007. Robertson, William C., and Brian Diskin. Light. Arlington, Va.: NSTA Press, 2003. Yu, Lixin. Development of Luminescence Properties of Eu3 -doped Nanosized Materials. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Nova Science Publishers, 2011. Read More