Modeling and Visualizing the Future: The Human Element of Visionary Processes

Abstract

Scientific visualization is a technology to extend our understanding of important processes. The technology has been used to visualize data structures, sub-atomic processes, chemical bonds, and other entities that are difficult to imagine without graphical enhancements. The genesis of the concept was the remarkable abilities of some humans to visualize esoteric processes; for example, much of Einstein’s theoretical development was the result of his ability to image vivid thought experiments. Linus Pauling used three-dimensional constructions to help him understand different chemical bonds whereas Watson and Crick’s ability to visualize and draw the double helix was the start of the DNA revolution. The purpose of visualization technology is to capture this imaging capability in a software environment allowing humans to gain both insight and predict the course of the process under investigation.