Honorable Forum:
Methinks the "sides" doth protest too much. And, there is far too much
digression (and apples/oranges, even mites/whales push and shove) in the
conduct of the discourse. That is, the discussion simply lack discipline
worthy of a scientific or even an intellectually honest approach,
particularly when the discussion strays (nay, jumps) from ecological
phenomena to economic effects.
Perhaps the most egregious is the tendency to mix ecosystem
phenomena/function with cultural values. For sure, I would prefer that I did
not get, say, ripgut brome seed stuck in my socks or my dog's ears, but this
is an issue apart from the scientific analysis that includes origins and
evolution, genetics, environmental conditions conducive or unfavorable to
population persistence or expansion, or the role of mechanisms that promote,
limit, or eliminate a species or ecotype from a particular ecosystem.
The "debate" resolved nothing, as far as I could tell; neither party changed
the other, they merely chanted each other's mantras.
I would certainly like, however, to see the issue (better yet, the
phenomenon) of "alien" species better articulated. One way to initiate the
process might be to first establish areas of agreement. That, as Chew points
out, is unlikely to happen in the popular media, obsessed as it is, with
bleeding and goring. Titillating, perhaps, but boring in terms of
intellectual discourse.
WT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Chew" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 9:18 PM
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] "Don't judge species" discussed on CBC radio
Marine Biologist Jim Carlton and I debated the merits of invasion biology
yesterday on Canadian Broadcasting Corp's live Radio 1 morning show, "The
Current"
If you like that sort of thing you can stream it at
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2011/08/04/biological-bias/
About 25 minutes long, including introductory stuff
Matthew K Chew
Assistant Research Professor
Arizona State University School of Life Sciences
ASU Center for Biology & Society
PO Box 873301
Tempe, AZ 85287-3301 USA
Tel 480.965.8422
Fax 480.965.8330
[email protected] or [email protected]
http://cbs.asu.edu/people/profiles/chew.php
http://asu.academia.edu/MattChew
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