Dear colleagues,
I am of an age when I vividly remember this iconic photo of the ending
of the Prague Spring when the Soviets rolled into Czechoslovakia in
August 1968 and Emil Gallo offered his bare chest to the Soviet tanks.
It was on the front pages of all of the British papers. It was - and
still is - a profound image of resistance.
Imagery carries emotions. Nobody who lived the history of that time
would make fun of this image. To do so is to show ignorance of the
meaning of the image.
Similarly, the iconic Tank Man photo carries the weight of emotions, as
was clear from Yaoguo's emails. It was - and still is - a profound image
of resistance.
Ken was wrong IMO to use it in jest. We all accept it was done
unwittingly and without malice, but appealing to freedom of speech to
excuse insensitivity compounded the error.
Perhaps to put it into context, below is another protest image of
resistance, from just two months after Emil Gallo offered his chest to
the Soviet tanks. A photo from the October 1968 Olympics. Yes, a very
different context one could argue, but I am pretty damn sure that most
Americans would be vehemently angry if anyone, especially a
non-American, were to make fun of this image, particularly these days
with the BLM movement. And even angrier to be told that making fun of
the image is fine because of freedom of speech.
Yes, we are geophysicists, and as Dennis says we're all on this list to
better mineral exploration. But more than that we are human beings, and
sometimes our moral compass fails us and we need to be gently told so
and educated a little, and it behoves us to understand and accept the
chiding.
Best regards all,
Alan
mexico 1968 olympics
On 2021-01-31 22:01, Michael Asten via SEGMIN wrote:
Colleagues,
This discussion shows plenty of diversity, but somewhat lacking in
inclusivity.
We can forget the US constitution - irrelevant to an international
society. But remember that free speech also implies the right to say
"I am offended by what you say". Most of us will have made a blooper
at some point in our international perambulations where we have
crossed some boundary unintentionally (and to be clear,
unintentionally is what happened here). But when an offended party
points out a problem in civil language, as has been done here, best to
accept that honest statement and the reasons behind it. And similarly
for an apology.
We still have 11/12 of the new year left - may it be a better one than
last year for all of us.
cheers,
Michael Asten
On Mon, 1 Feb 2021 at 13:41, Dennis Woods via SEGMIN
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
All
I am not sure what everyone else thinks about this latest
discussion on SEGMIN, but I for one find it totally off centre to
what the SEGMIN list server is supposed to be about. What was
that now? I don't know. Could it be ... geophysics? And in
particular, mining and mineral exploration geophysics. I happen
to look forward to SEGMIN postings, and learn what other folk's
opinions are on various geophysical topics that are of concern to me.
People responding to SEGMIN posts have to realize and understand
that "reply" to a SEGMIN post means reply to everyone in the world
who is subscribed to SEGMIN. Think about it for a second. Do you
really want every mineral exploration geophysicist in the world to
read what you are about to say? Or are you only prompted to
respond directly to the postee? If the later, then send your
response just to that person. Don't get the rest of us involved
in a discussion that is better left to other social media sites.
Realize that "reply" on a list server is the same as "reply to all".
I like hearing from other mineral exploration geophysicists from
around the world on SEGMIN, on topics of geophysics. (I am
growing to like international Zoom meetings even more!). We are
in noble profession. Particularly as the world evolves to an
environmentally cleaner solution to global energy demands.
Because technological and scientific answers to global problems
inevitably requires resources to fuel those answers. And those
resources, which always have to be mined economically, are always
harder to find.
We mineral exploration geophysicists will always be on the
forefront of the quest to find resources. Certainly nothing will
happen without geologist to understand earth processes, and
geochemists to put it in context. But geophysics, and remote
detection of mineral resources in the ground, by inference or
whatever, through the science of physics, is going to play a huge
part in our future.
Let us us mining and mineral exploration geophysicists on SEGMIN,
tackle the issues of our science, and leave the social commentary
to other media.
Best to all,
Dennis Woods
At 04:50 PM 31/01/2021, Glenn Wilson via SEGMIN wrote:
No offense, but that is a pretty weak apology. Citing your rights
under the US Constitution is professionally irrelevant as the
SEGMIN mailing list is international.
Glenn
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 31, 2021, at 6:37 PM, Ken Witherly via SEGMIN
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Thanks Bob.
I felt I had used a powerful image with respect but regret if
nevertheless, certain individuals felt aggrieved by the use of
this imagery; this was not the intent.
As Bob also mentions, the American constitution provides us with
rights of freedom of expression which is one of the most
important rights I hold as an American citizen.
Best/Ken
*From:* SEGMIN <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> *On Behalf Of *Robert
Ellis via SEGMIN
*Sent:* Sunday, January 31, 2021 5:26 PM
*To:* [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
*Cc:* Robert Ellis <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>>
*Subject:* Re: [SEGMIN] [External] Final Cut
I doubt that Ken meant to offend anyone. I will defend Ken
having know him for about 40 years and have never seen a slight
indication of disrespect for various cultural backgrounds. We
are fortunate to live in a country of free speech (for the
moment) and everyone from diverse backgrounds need to just
lighten up and get a grip. If you are a citizen of the US you
are an American. If your not an American please respect our free
speech while your here. I'm from Texas and pride of my heritage
counters all intended and unintentional jokes about Texans, of
which there are many and undoubtedly there now will be more!
Bring them on babies.
Robert Ellis
Ellis Geophysical Consulting Inc.
9528 Xanthos Lane
Reno, Nevada 89521 USA
Skype: BobEllisEGC
If email returned try: [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
On Sunday, January 31, 2021, 04:12:37 PM PST, Yaoguo Li via
SEGMIN <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> > wrote:
Ken,
Just to follow up on our email exchange, and to provide a
context for my previous email:
My reaction has nothing to do with culture or background. It has
to do with basic human respect. I don't think you would use an
image of a group of gulag prisoners of Soviet era, or a Rwanda
genocide scene, for such a "fun" posting, so I wonder why you
would use this image in such a way?
These are not your proverbial "sacred cows" as you refer to
them. What an insult, although I am sure you didn't mean it!
You are not pushing the boundaries, nor are you questioning the
status quo. You are using an image without the slightest
understanding of, or care for, its context.
Instead of dismissing someone as being from a different culture,
wouldn't pushing one's boundaries include putting some effort in
understanding the different cultures and a bit of historical
context of things one chooses to use?
Sincerely,
Yaoguo Li
> On Jan 31, 2021, at 4:16 PM, Yaoguo Li <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
>
> Ken,
>
> I may appreciate your light hearted approach, but your
attempted humorous use of this image is of poor taste at best
and utterly disrespectful on the other end of the spectrum. I
suppose some thinking just doesn't change!
>
> Sincerely,
> Yaoguo Li
>
>> On Jan 31, 2021, at 4:06 PM, Ken Witherly via SEGMIN
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote:
>>
>> Dear Colleagues
>>
>> I was confronted with three contractors, who for a variety of
reasons, did not make the deadline. However, their persistent
and persuasiveness were compelling and like our very brave
citizen in Tiananmen Square in 1989, their steely resolution won
out.
>>
>> Best/Ken
>>
'>> Geophysics is often of the greatest value for the questions it
>> raises than the answers it provides.
>>
>> Condor Consulting, Inc
>> St. 150-2201 Kipling St.
>> Lakewood CO 80215 USA
>> T: 303-423-8475
>>
>> Condor North Consulting ULC
>> 170 - 422 Richards St.
>> Vancouver BC Canada V6B 2Z4
>> T: 604-630-8334
'>>
>>
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Alan G. Jones, P.Geo., MRIA, Fellow AGU
Ottawa, Canada
Senior Professor Emeritus
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Ireland
Adjunct Professor
Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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