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I have to agree with David. First of all, there is not "theoretical"
these hard practical considerations. Second, even students can
consider two things in close proximity although perhaps not at the
same time. ;-) Third, the nature of learning is such that if more
abstract information can be associated with more immediate less
abstract information, it will tend to be remembered.
Even students can balance their concern and empathy for what is
happening in Japan with the idea that it could happen around them.
Pointing out that geography and geology help one to understand and
recognize where these things can occur is definitely appropriate. As
well as using, the events in Japan to show how the geography effected
the unfolding disaster. I think we have all been struck by the
devastation that can occur even when you are as well prepared as
Japan.
And yes, such discussions can even help in the grieving process.
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I strongly disagree. Now IS the time to ponder theoretical
questions. When students -- conditioned to think that geography is
nothing more than a bunch of trivia questions on a standardized test
-- bitch about this stuff not having any relevance to real life,
times like this opens them up to the idea that geographical
awareness can save lives. A week from now, when they're preoccupied
over the latest celebrity fellatio reports from their social
networks, they may not notice I'm talking about something important.
The general public tends to have a short attention span, so it makes
sense to take advantage of this teachable moment.
Dave
On 3/16/2011 5:20 AM, Gerhard Muller-Kosack wrote:
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Well, I have been thinking about this too and I feel it is the timing of the
invitation to look at those images as "geology/geography in action" which I
find offending. Although dead bodies are part of the physical world, they
are also part of the living world of grieving humans. It is a positivist
view to think that there is a value-free space for science but one doesn't
has to be a Marxist to recognise that this is actually not the case and that
it is humans bound in history and space making it. I therefore think that
the timing is the main issue here. People are still grieving over their lost
ones, presumably will never recover their bodies and referring to the
illustration of the tsunami as "geology/geography in action" at this moment
in time is offending - even when copied in from a newspaper! I feel this is
not the time to ponder over theoretical questions unless one wants to buy
into the sensationalist nature of the international media. However, I can
see that looking and examining those pics after some appropriate time for
grief and recovery has gone by would be fine. What do your students think
about that?
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of David M. Lawrence
Sent: 16 March 2011 00:24
To: Discussion group for map history
Subject: Re: [MapHist] [Fwd: Satellite Imagery Before and After Tsunami]
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Why would you find the line "disturbingly distasteful?" There are a hell
of a lot more serious things to get disturbed about -- such as the dire
situation at the Fukushima Daichi plant. And frankly, I see nothing
distasteful, either -- unlike the Twitter jokes that got the AFLAC guy
fired.
I can see getting upset over something worth getting upset over. This
doesn't seem to be one of those things.
Dave
P.S. As a physical geographer, I have to say that it is quite accurate
to refer to videos of oncoming tsunami, etc., as "geography in action."
I try to teach my students that a knowledge of geography can save their
lives -- and it can. Too bad many miss the message because their too
busy playing with their iPhones.
On 3/15/2011 6:17 PM, Gerhard Muller-Kosack wrote:
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I find the comment that "this is geology/geography in action" disturbingly
distasteful.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf
Of Kurt Masters
Sent: 15 March 2011 21:04
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MapHist] [Fwd: Satellite Imagery Before and After Tsunami]
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whole list)
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Another interesting view...
You can put your mouse on center of the line in the center of each
picture and drag it left and right... this will show before and after
the tsunami in each image. This is the best graphic demonstration of the
damage I have seen. And in CA people ran to the coast to see the
tsunami. This is not the movies, it is real life. This is
geology/geography in action.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-ja
pan-before-and-after-tsunami.html?src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB
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The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of
the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of
Utrecht. The University of Utrecht does not take any responsibility for
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David M. Lawrence | Home: (804) 559-9786
7471 Brook Way Court | Fax: (804) 559-9787
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USA | http: http://fuzzo.com
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"All drains lead to the ocean." -- Gill, Finding Nemo
"We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo
"No trespassing
4/17 of a haiku" -- Richard Brautigan
_______________________________________________
MapHist: E-mail discussion group on the history of cartography
hosted by the Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht.
The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of
the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of
Utrecht. The University of Utrecht does not take any responsibility for
the views of the author.
List Information: http://www.maphist.nl
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_______________________________________________
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hosted by the Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht.
The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of
the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of
Utrecht. The University of Utrecht does not take any responsibility for
the views of the author.
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