However, “Asters and Goldenrod” leads me to seek out these alternative approaches that fill in the blind spots of Western science. Personally, I would consider my thought process to be fairly straightforward and modular. Kimmerer’s story conveys the benefit of accepting other scientific cultures alongside that of Western science or as she put it: “We see the world more fully when we use both.”Īuthor takes notes on an iRON site visit in Glenwood Springs. Although this question may not be on the top priority list of most people, Dr. The beauty of the flowers is what first leads her to engage with this question, and the answer then broadens our understanding of plant reproduction. Kimmerer realizes how this approach offers the space to consider her original question: “why asters and goldenrod so beautiful together.” The answer lies in complimentary colors and the colored afterimage phenomenon, but the purpose behind it lies in the attraction of pollinators, specifically bees. However, she eventually rediscovers Indigenous science and sees how it doesn’t impede her understanding of botany, but rather enhances it. Kimmerer initially adopts Western science in order to pursue her education within the university system. In the chapter from Braiding Sweetgrass, Dr. While the modular Western science thought process has its place, Indigenous science has equal and complimentary value.

This notion is something we should deeply consider because of the inherit limitations it creates. Western society places those concepts in contention with each other, even though they aren’t. Western society often says that we don’t see science when we see beauty and vice versa, that we can’t be artistic scientists or scientific artists.

We distinguish between science and art in both our approach to science as well as within individuals. I see their lifecycle, and I see colors that develop from nutrients in the soil. Every day here, I see beautiful wildflowers, but I also see the ecological interactions between them and their surroundings. This interaction reminds me of the sometimes close-minded nature of Western science in which we often distinguish science from art rather than allowing them to coexist as they do naturally. When she goes to college, she explains to her advisor that she wants to study botany because she “ to learn about why asters and goldenrod so beautiful together.” In response, her advisor told her that “that is not science” and to consider art school for that question. Kimmerer’s experience as an Indigenous woman pursuing an education in botany. Hiromi Kondo is an AGCI Summer 2021 Intern

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