Bow of Philoctetes

Interactive Theatre Project - The "Bow of Philoctetes" project brings a lesser-known Greek classic hero, Philoctetes, to life as a scientist in a new play. Scientists, through their research, have a unique view into how we matter as small players on this grandiose stage called the Universe. By incorporating these specific scientific viewpoints into this artistic form, I believe that it is possible to enhance science through art and vice versa.

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Proud mama post of my baby's video public service project. :-)

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I entered Disney's Frozen Norway Getaway for a chance to win a Frozen inspired trip for 4 to Norway!

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@mindcombatant. So do I need to buy you a coffee pot?

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Philoctetes's arrows were known to never miss their mark. Given the prevalence of new miniaturized technology (miniature surveillance device shown), is it possible that a miniature infra-red homing device could be present in the tip of an arrow, thus making the arrow never miss it's mark?

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Heracles burned to death on a pyre wrapped in the skin of a beast, as depicted on this Greek vase in the New York Metropolitan Museum.  Philoctetes, shown holding a staff, perhaps the torch, was asked to light the pyre, and in exchange for this 'favor' to Heracles, was given the hero's powerful bow and quiver of special arrows, as shown here. Another weapon of Heracles's was burned with him, so that no other man could ever wield it. Today people get rid of things by burning them in order to destroy 'evidence.' What kind of physical evidence does a fire NOT destroy?

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The tiny freshwater polyp hydra, perhaps named for its slight resemblance to the seven-headed mythical dragon, is potentially immortal due to its reproduction by budding. Study of the hydra led to the observation of a direct link between the FoxO gene and aging.

  Some accounts of Philoctetes's Bow Strength give credit to arrows dipped in poison from the gall of the hydra monster.

Would this have been considered biological warfare?

How would an activator for the FoxO gene, a potential fountain of youth, benefit and/or threaten society as we know it?

All comments are welcome!

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In Ancient Theatre, masks were an aspect of the technology. Theatres were designed with center stage as an echo projection sweet spot. Masks were larger than life and included a megaphone-like mouthpiece. Today's actors do not wear masks, but utilize training to project a character and emotions to the audience. As people, we all wear different emotional/role-playing 'masks' throughout our daily lives in the different roles we play: husband/wife/mother/father/boss/worker....I have two related questions:

1) In an effort to move away from the scientist-as-nerd stereotype, what kind of personal 'masks' (or presentation methods) would benefit a scientist in her portrayal of herself to society? 

2) Today, we sometimes do use masks in costuming live theatre, but usually not over the mouth, or even the face (eg.: Simba in Lion King), we often put mics on actors, and we also utilize things like slides, lighting and visual aids to add to a performance. Do you think today's theatre technology is analogous, better or worse than in ancient theatre? Why?

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The Bow of Philoctetes Project blog enables true scientists from our modern day world to actively participate in the transformation of a classic for the stage into a contemporary piece for the theatre. 

Sophocles's play, Philoctetes, all but dismisses the gods of Olympus to focus on mankind's cunning as well as its conscience. Like a scientist, Philoctetes held knowledge and a tool that could save or destroy. This excellent warrior had been abandoned by his own army on an isolated island because of an injury he suffered in the war, similar to those abandoned veterans we now see begging on street corners. Philoctetes had been bitten in the ankle by the mythical venomous Basilisk snake, which left him with two undesirable qualities: 1) his wound oozed with a black gunk which emitted a gag-worthy stench unbearable to those around him, 2) periodically the pain became so intense that Philoctetes would be overcome and cry out loudly and at length, which was not so desirable in a military encampment. This week's question is for those medical and biological talents out there: What kind of wound, realistically, could cause such a pain and stench, or other undesirable outcome, that a talented man would be abandoned out of necessity? How would that work? Don't be afraid to get technical. If I don't know you, please provide a link to your credentials. Thanks!