While in New York City last week, rambling around on my own for an afternoon, I went over to the New York Public Library. I feel confident I’ve been there before, but it felt like the first time all the same. I had no specific ideas in mind beyond checking out the reading room and seeing what else might be on display. I was in luck. A featured exhibit is The Newtonian Moment: Science and the Making of Modern Culture, where original versions of Newton’s famous works and many supporting materials are displayed and put in context. After reading The Baroque Cycle, I’m much more interested in the history of the scientific explosion of the 17th century. Like the Mozart-Salieri rivalry popularized by the movie Amadeus, the Newton-Liebniz rivalry over “the calculus” is fascinating. Perhaps Stephenson made it more interesting than it was, but human jealousies are more palpable than actual mathematics since my high-school calculus is long-forgotten.
I had two quibbles with the exhibit. First, it was dark. I’m all for dramatic lighting, but this was dim. Perhaps the curators wanted to avoid damaging the rare books with harsh lighting, but I’d wish for a middle ground. Second, for my taste, the diversions on the French popularization of his work/ideas and the rise of women’s interest in science, were a bit much. Newton’s life and work are compelling on their own, so I would have preferred a tighter focus.
The live exhibit will be at the NYPL through February 5, so if you find a free moment near Grand Central Station (two blocks away), wander over. The website is quite strong, too.
I also glanced through the hallway exhibit of the art of James Gillray, a popular caricaturist from England’s “golden age of caricature.” Gillray lived from 1756-1815, so he certainly enjoyed interesting times. The visual blogs of their day, these caricatures are not subtle… our age’s political cartoons, even the pointed ones, are usually more polite. Once again, the website for the exhibit is solid, with several examples of the artwork. Take a look. 
The Plumb-pudding in danger; – or – State Epicures taking un Petit Souper. from February 26, 1805. This one is a graphic reminder that at the time Britain owned the waves and France owned Europe. This exhibit runs through January 29, 2005.
I really need to start living in the present, don’t I? Anyway, a worthwhile couple of hours in New York City, at no monetary cost, in pleasant surroundings.