Cabot Senior Wins In Essay Contest

For his essays on advanced methods of oil recovery using carbon dioxide and microorganisms and a new improved way to use computers to transfer photographs, images, a Cabot House senior has won $250 and a second place prize in a national essay competition.

History of Science concentration Reuben K. Sparks '85 was one of a entrants from colleges nationwide in Honeywell Corporation's third annual Futurist Awards Competition's third annual Futurist Awards Competition. Each entrant submitted three 500-word essays, two of which predicted technological developments in specific fields for the year 2009. The third essay addressed the social impact of the technological advancements.

Honeywell scientists and science writers from various magazines chose 10 first place winners--who get $2000 and a summer internship at the Minnesota electronics and heating equipment concern--and 10 second. prize winners, who get $250.

In addition to the essays about oil recovery and computer photography technology. Sparks addressed in his final essay what he calls the problems of "technological utopianism."

"It is important to have a sense of the future and not overestimate the ability of machines," Sparks said.

Although he did do research for his essays. Sparks stressed the imaginative aspect of the comment. "It's not science fiction, but science fiction based on technology."

Honeywell spokesmen Marilyn Meisch said the company sponsors the competition that because it is Jacking for new technological ideas but "to increase the awareness of Honeywell on college campuses around the country."

For the first time this year, Honeywell expanded the two-year old contest to include European and Canadian Schools. Four European winners to be chosen this month will be offered one-year scholarships in four American colleges