hyper-correct graphic design

[gfish]

Last night I was walking by the Apple store in Oakridge Mall, and I noticed the pair of very prominent Rutherford-style atomic symbols glowing above the "Genius Bar". And it struck me as very ironic, that they would use a fundamentally incorrect model of the atom to symbolize genius.

"Ha ha", I said, "Isn't Apple silly?"

But that got me thinking -- why do we still use the Rutherford model symbol everywhere? Why haven't we come up with an iconic representation of electron orbitals? Surely a truly advanced civilization would be more correct in its iconography. (Yes, I'm still waiting for everyone to learn a sensible conlang, too.) If I was rich, I would totally fund an institute to work on improving this state of affairs.

Comments

[pielology.livejournal.com]

The classic Rutherford picture has managed to acquire an enduring association with the 50s Atomic Age. So using it today isn't so much about a representation of science as it is about evoking an era when scientists were highly lauded members of society whose work would save us all.

If you want a stylized graphic representation of modern nuclear physics, I think you'd be better off ditching electron orbitals in favor of Feynmann diagrams.