Thank you for pointing out the distinction between "direct" observation through human senses, and machine-mediated observation for accurate scientific measurements.
It clarifies the motivation for extension/augmentation of human perception through technology, from microscopes to telescopes - and spectacles/glasses for that matter.
It also implies a continuation of the trend, where more and more of human perception will be mediated by technology, to benefit from advantages like accuracy, long-term memory/storage for data collection and statistics.
I guess augmented/virtual reality is part of it, where we can now perceive and experience a fully technology-mediated world, both real and imaginary. I picture sci-fi possibilities, like being able to "zoom in" to see things at magnifications beyond human biological limits - all controlled by thoughts.
It clarifies the motivation for extension/augmentation of human perception through technology, from microscopes to telescopes - and spectacles/glasses for that matter.
It also implies a continuation of the trend, where more and more of human perception will be mediated by technology, to benefit from advantages like accuracy, long-term memory/storage for data collection and statistics.
I guess augmented/virtual reality is part of it, where we can now perceive and experience a fully technology-mediated world, both real and imaginary. I picture sci-fi possibilities, like being able to "zoom in" to see things at magnifications beyond human biological limits - all controlled by thoughts.