University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2012 Placing Birds On A Dynamic Evolutionary Map: Using Digital Tools To Update The Evolutionary Metaphor Of The "Tree Of Life" Sonia Stephens University of Central Florida Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Graphic Communications Commons, and the Rhetoric Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Stephens, Sonia, "Placing Birds On A Dynamic Evolutionary Map: Using Digital Tools To Update The Evolutionary Metaphor Of The "Tree Of Life"" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 2264. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/2264 PLACING BIRDS ON A DYNAMIC EVOLUTIONARY MAP: USING DIGITAL TOOLS TO UPDATE THE EVOLUTIONARY METAPHOR OF THE “TREE OF LIFE” by SONIA H. STEPHENS B.S. University of Hawaii, 1999 M.S. University of Hawaii, 2003 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Spring Term 2012 Major Professor: Paul Dombrowski ©2012 Sonia H. Stephens ii ABSTRACT This dissertation describes and presents a new type of interactive visualization for communicating about evolutionary biology, the dynamic evolutionary map. This web-based tool utilizes a novel map-based metaphor to visualize evolution, rather than the traditional “tree of life.” The dissertation begins with an analysis of the conceptual affordances of the traditional tree of life as the dominant metaphor for evolution. Next, theories from digital media, visualization, and cognitive science research are synthesized to support the assertion that digital media tools can extend the types of visual metaphors we use in science communication in order to overcome conceptual limitations of traditional metaphors. These theories are then applied to a specific problem of science communication, resulting in the dynamic evolutionary map. Metaphor is a crucial part of scientific communication, and metaphor-based scientific visualizations, models, and analogies play a profound role in shaping our ideas about the world around us. Users of the dynamic evolutionary map interact with evolution in two ways: by observing the diversification of bird orders over time and by examining the evidence for avian evolution at several places in evolutionary history. By combining these two types of interaction with a non-traditional map metaphor, evolution is framed in a novel way that supplements traditional metaphors for communicating about evolution. This reframing in turn suggests new conceptual affordances to users who are learning about evolution. Empirical testing of the dynamic evolutionary map by biology novices suggests that this approach is successful in communicating evolution differently than in existing tree-based visualization methods. Results of evaluation of the map by biology experts suggest possibilities for future enhancement and testing of this visualization that would help refine these successes. iii This dissertation represents an important step forward in the synthesis of scientific, design, and metaphor theory, as applied to a specific problem of science communication. The dynamic evolutionary map demonstrates that these theories can be used to guide the construction of a visualization for communicating a scientific concept in a way that is both novel and grounded in theory. There are several potential applications in the fields of informal science education, formal education, and evolutionary biology for the visualization created in this dissertation. Moreover, the approach suggested in this dissertation can potentially be extended into other areas of science and science communication. By placing birds onto the dynamic evolutionary map, this dissertation points to a way forward for visualizing science communication in the future. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many people helped me through the process of creating this dissertation and shaping it into its final form. First, I would like to thank my dissertation committee members, J.D. Applen, Robb Lindgren, and Patrick Murphy, for consistently providing valuable advice and offering helpful suggestions throughout this process. I would especially like to express my appreciation to Paul Dombrowski, who stepped in as my advisor and helped me navigate the process of completing this project. I would also like to thank Craig Saper for his support through the initial stages of this dissertation. Our discussions helped me narrow down my initial ideas and focus on articulating my goals for the visualization. My experience interning at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology helped to inspire the topic of this dissertation, even though it took many twists and turns after my conversations with the many creative researchers there. I want to express my appreciation for all the staff with whom I discussed my ideas. A special thanks goes to the anonymous biologists who commented on the dynamic evolutionary map. Your feedback provided valuable insights into the educational implications of this project. I am also grateful for the participation of the other study participants, and hope they found the process interesting themselves. My fellow graduate students in the Texts and Technology program provided me with support and encouragement. For those who helped me with my first interactive tree project, I know you will never look at vultures the same way again. v My friends and family, who supported me through this process in many ways, will always have my gratitude. Dad's impromptu trip to the U of M library surprised me with a first edition of Origin of Species, complete with fold-out tree. Mom heard out my frustrations and commiserated with me about politics, vet bills, and the profundity of stainless-steel appliances and double bathroom sinks. Faye was often able to find geekery with which to distract me, or with which I was able to distract myself. Finally, I want to thank my husband, Yan Fernandez, whose own personal experience in the care and feeding of graduate students was a lifeline throughout this process. Your encouragement and support really did make this possible. Thank you. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................ xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 Science communication and the public understanding of science .............................................. 2 Avenues for science communication .......................................................................................... 5 Digital media and the public understanding of science .............................................................. 8 Public understanding of evolution ............................................................................................ 10 Chapter Two: Metaphor in science and the Tree of Life .......................................................... 12 Chapter Three: Visualization technologies and changing scientific metaphors ....................... 14 Chapter Four: The dynamic evolutionary map ......................................................................... 16 Chapter Five: User interaction with the dynamic evolutionary map ........................................ 18 Chapter Six: Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER TWO: METAPHOR IN SCIENCE AND THE TREE OF LIFE .............................. 20 Metaphor as a tool for scientific understanding ........................................................................ 20 How metaphor operates within science .................................................................................... 23 Scientific uses of metaphor ....................................................................................................... 26 Evolution, natural selection, and the pattern of life .................................................................. 29 Metaphor and evolution in Origin of Species ........................................................................... 30 The historical and cultural context of the tree of life metaphor ................................................ 34 Darwin’s tree of life as a metaphor for evolution ..................................................................... 37 Two distinct uses of the tree of life metaphor ........................................................................... 45 Affordances and associations of the tree of life ........................................................................ 46 CHAPTER THREE: VISUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES AND CHANGING SCIENTIFIC METAPHORS .............................................................................................................................