Walter Benjamin’s Dionysian Adventures on Google Earth

This paper argues, following Friedrich Nietzsche, that recent evaluations of Google Earth uncritically privilege the product’s Apollonian determinations at the expense of its Dionysian uncertainties. Specifically, when we understand Google Earth as a virtual globe composed of surveyed panoramas, sober rationalization, dystopic control, and transparent order – or, even, as a tool for participation and empowerment – we undersell its capacities as an alluring digital peep-box, an uncertain orb spangled with vertiginous paranoia, frenzied navigation, jubilatory dissolution, and intoxicating giddiness. We argue that the former interpretations not only risk foreclosing our theorizations about how Google Earth is actually used in various ways and different contexts, they also reproduce a one-dimensional and conservative reading of technology that can be traced back (at least) to the writings of Theodor Adorno. By drawing on the work of Walter Benjamin (Adorno’s critic and pen pal for more than a decade) we aim to ‘go beyond Apollo and Adorno’ by illustrating the extent to which Apollonian order and Dionysian love makes Google Earth go round. To do this, we examine Google Earth as a “digital peep-box” with an online collective that revels in its “Spot the Black Helicopter” competitions; illuminated profanities; alien and giant insect invaders; naked sunbathers; and crashed transport planes in Darfur.     

“Traditional” women, “modern” water: Linking gender and commodification in Rajasthan, India

In this paper, I analyze the connections made between women and water in a Rajasthani drinking water supply project as a significant part of drinking water’s commodification. For development policy makers, water progressing from something free to something valued by price is inevitable when moving economies toward modernity and development. My findings indicate that water is not commodified simply by charging money for it, but through a series of discourses and acts that link it to other “modern” objects and give it value. One of these objects is “women”. I argue that through women’s participation activities that link gender and modernity to new responsibilities and increased mobility for village women involving the clean water supply, a “traditional” Rajasthani woman becomes “modern”. Water, in parallel, becomes “new”, “improved” and worth paying for. Women and water resources are further connected through project staff’s efforts to promote latrines by targeting women as their primary users. The research shows that villagers applied their own meanings to latrines, some of which precluded women using them. This paper fills a gap in feminist political ecology, which often overlooks how gender is created through natural resource interventions, by concerning itself with how new meanings of “water” and “women” are mutually constructed through struggles over water use and its commodification. It contributes to critical development geography literatures by demonstrating that women’s participation approaches to natural resource development act as both constraints and opportunities for village constituents. It examines an under-explored area of gender and water research by tracing village-level struggles over meanings of latrines.     

The political-economy of Blair’s “New Regional Policy”

The “region” and “regional change” have been elusive ideas within political and economic geography, and in essence require a greater understanding of their dynamic characteristics. Trailing in the backwaters of the devolution to the Celtic nations of Britain, the contemporary era of New Labour’s political-economic ideology, manifest through “third-way” governance in England places the region and its functional capacity into the heart of geographical inquiry. Drawing upon a new regionalist epistemology, this paper seeks to recover a sense of (regional) political economy through a critical investigation of the development and formulation of Blair’s “New Regional Policy” (NRP). I address how New Labour has attempted to marry economic regionalisation on the one hand, and democratic regionalism on the other. This paper specifically questions the wisdom of such a marriage of politically distinct ideologies through a critical investigation of the underlying contradictions of their strategy from both a theoretical and empirical standpoint. Demonstrated both in the North East “no” vote in 2004, and in the post-mortem undertaken by the ODPM Select Committee in 2005, the paper illustrates how a loss of political drive gradually undermined the capacity of devolution to deliver in England. Finally, I argue that through the lens of the NRP we can speculate on some of the wider issues and implications for the study of regional governance.     

A risky business: Mining, rent and the neoliberalization of “risk”

Natural resource investment in the mining sector is often mediated through conflicts over rent distribution between corporate capital and landowner states. Recent rounds of neoliberal policy promoted by the World Bank have highlighted the need for landowner states to offer incentives in order to attract “high risk” capital investment. In Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, countries have been pushed to offer attractive fiscal terms to capital, thereby lowering the proportion traditionally called rent. This paper examines how the concept of “risk” has been mobilized to legitimate such skewed distributional arrangements. While certain conceptions of social and ecological “risk” have been prevalent in political and social theoretic discourse on mining, such focus elides the overwhelming contemporary power of our notion of “neoliberal risk” – or the financial/market risks – in actually setting the distributional terms of mineral investment. We illustrate our argument by examining the nexus of World Bank mining policy promotion and Tanzanian policy in the late 1990s meant to attract foreign direct investment in gold production. In closing, we suggest that just as “risk” is used to legitimate attractive fiscal terms for investment, recent events highlight how skewed distribution of benefits may set into motion risks that corporate capital had not bargained for.     

Thermal models of arcs and ridges — A “Source-span-sink” model

A theory of two-dimensional geothermic problems is elaborated by the active temperature function at the vertical contact of two horizontally layered media. The approach offered before for oceanic ridges is extended to the case of continental margins and the upper part of a descending slab, i.e. “sink”, in island-arc areas. It is assumed that the plate motion in the oceanic area exists; in a descending area it is directed downward but remains zero on a continental side. Mathematically it symbolizes a “source—span—sink” thermal model. Numerical parameters are given for a theoretical thermal model of the heat-flow profile across the Kuril island arc, from the trench through Iturup Island, Sakhalin Island and the Tatarian Trough.     

Response to Thrift's “The future of geography”

Reviews and observations about the status of the discipline of geography, no matter how positive, invariably raise programmatic concerns. These concerns have a long history that arise from geography's struggles to find an identity that embraces its many parts and yet are consistent with the logic by which the academy partitions knowledge. Pedagogy and research historically claimed by geography is currently being reinvented and relabeled under such headings as “integrated environmental science” and “spatial science”, and these developments have the potential to change the breadth of the “geographic imagination”. Several observations about dominant explanatory perspectives and substantive domains of geographic enquiry are also provided.     

The optical features and hydrocarbon-generating model of “barkinite” from Late Permian coals in South China

Leping coal is known for its high content of “barkinite”, which is a unique liptinite maceral apparently found only in the Late Permian coals of South China. “Barkinite” has previously identified as suberinite, but on the basis of further investigations, most coal petrologists conclude that “barkinite” is not suberinite, but a distinct maceral. The term “barkinite” was introduced by (State Bureau of Technical Supervision of the People's Republic of China, 1991, GB 12937-91 (in Chinese)), but it has not been recognized by ICCP and has not been accepted internationally.In this paper, elemental analyses (EA), pyrolysis-gas chromatography, Rock-Eval pyrolysis and optical techniques were used to study the optical features and the hydrocarbon-generating model of “barkinite”. The results show that “barkinite” with imbricate structure usually occurs in single or multiple layers or in a circular form, and no definite border exists between the cell walls and fillings, but there exist clear aperture among the cells.“Barkinite” is characterized by fluorescing in relatively high rank coals. At low maturity of 0.60–0.80%R_o, “barkinite” shows strong bright orange–yellow fluorescence, and the fluorescent colors of different cells are inhomogeneous in one sample. As vitrinite reflectance increases up to 0.90%R_o, “barkinite” also displays strong yellow or yellow–brown fluorescence; and most of “barkinite” lose fluorescence at the maturity of 1.20–1.30%R_o. However, most of suberinite types lose fluorescence at a vitrinite reflectance of 0.50% Ro, or at the stage of high volatile C bituminous coal. In particular, the cell walls of “barkinite” usually show red color, whereas the cell fillings show yellow color under transmitted light. This character is contrary to suberinite.“Barkinite” is also characterized by late generation of large amounts of liquid oil, which is different from the early generation of large amounts of liquid hydrocarbon. In addition, “barkinite” with high hydrocarbon generation potential, high elemental hydrogen, and low carbon content. The pyrolysis products of “barkinite” are dominated by aliphatic compounds, followed by low molecular-weight aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, xylene and naphthalene), and a few isoprenoids. The pyrolysis hydrocarbons of “barkinite” are mostly composed of light oil (C₆–C₁₄) and wet gas (C₂–C₅), and that heavy oil (C₁₅⁺) and methane (C₁) are the minor hydrocarbon.In addition, suberinite is defined only as suberinized cell walls—it does not include the cell fillings, and the cell lumens were empty or filled by corpocollinites, which do not show any fluorescence. Whereas, “barkinite” not only includes the cell walls, but also includes the cell fillings, and the cell fillings show bright yellow fluorescence.Since the optical features and the hydrocarbon-generating model of “barkinite” are quite different from suberinite. We suggest that “barkinite” is a new type of maceral.     

Evidence for cyclic reactions between andalusite, “sericite” and sillimanite, mount franks area, willyama complex N.S.W

In the Mt. Franks area of the Willyama Complex, microfabric evidence suggests that the alteration of andalusite to sillimanite has taken place by a process similar to that suggested by Carmichael (1969). Andalusite is pre- to syn-S₂ in age. Alteration to “sericite” has resulted in the formation of “sericite” laths, some of which are crenulated about S₂, and some which are syn- and post-S₂. “Fibrolite” occurs in these andalusite—“sericite” aggregates within the sillimanite zone and is wholly embedded in “sericite”. “Fibrolite” is pre- to syn-S₂ in age. This evidence is interpreted as suggesting that the formation of sillimanite from andalusite took place via a “sericite” phase.Further microfabric observations are interpreted to imply constant volume for the reaction aluminosilicate → “sericite”. This suggests a situation in which Al³⁺ is relatively mobile but Al⁴⁺ is relatively immobile. This suggestion differs from Carmichael's (1969) idea of Al³⁺ immobility.     

Tectonic stresses on the boundary of the Aegean domain: “in situ” measurements by overcoring

Direct “in situ” measurements of the horizontal stresses on the border of the Aegean domain, obtained by overcoring in boreholes a few meters deep, revealed the various characteristics of plate boundaries: continent—continent collision, subduction, inter-arc basin, etc.     

Petrologic and geochemical characteristics of “barkinite” from the Dahe mine, Guizhou Province, China

Although “barkinite” has long been studied by many geologists, its geochemical characteristics and environment of deposition are still not known in detail. In order to study the petrography and geochemical characteristics of “barkinite”, coal samples from two Permian coal seams were taken from the Dahe mine, Guizhou Province. The samples were separated into maceral fractions, and then analyzed by microscopical, isotopic, Rock-Eval, and geochemical methods. The microscopical results indicate that “barkinite” occurs as four main types. According to their relationship to other maceral groups, “barkinite” is ostensibly formed under variably dry–wet or oxidizing–reducing conditions. The extract yield, isotope data and Rock-Eval values of “barkinite” are different from other macerals. Microscopical and geochemical results indicate that “barkinite” forms part of the liptinite group.     

Globalisation, information technology and the emergence of niche transnational cities: the growth of the call centre sector in Dublin

The development of information and communications technologies (ICT) has facilitated the emergence of a complex global urban system in which many formerly lower-order cities have been carving out “niche” specialist functions serving urban fields of transnational dimension. This is illustrated in the case of Dublin, which in recent years has been transcending its traditional role as Ireland’s national metropolis through the development of a range of functions servicing mainly European markets. One such function comprises pan-European telephone call centre operations. The development and characteristics of this newly-emerging sector are described. It is argued that the growth of the sector confirms Dublin’s — and Ireland’s — dependent position in the international division of labour, and that its long-term sustainability is open to question.     

Recent discussion about the North-South bias of the major rift-valleys

The formation of the major rift-valleys is proposed to have been triggered off by the E—W oriented tensional “wave” caused by the slow rotation of the equatorial bulge passing as a stretching hoop through the Earth (Paleozoic—Mesozoic). This ‘wave’ follows the wandering of the polar axis through a great circle (e.g. Creer et al., 1969). The polar wandering is regarded as the readjustment of the Earth's rotational instability caused by the growth of a “weight” fixed on the surface of the Earth and endeavouring to increase its moment of inertia until the weight rotates on the new equator (Gold, 1950). This weight, which must topple the Earth through its fixed spacial axis of rotation, may be slowly developing Pangea. The “wave” of E—W tension is imposed on zones already under E—W tension, e.g., crests of N—S running welts, alias “craton ridges”. The intruding asthenosphere expands the crests and fractures them along tensional rift-valleys. These rifts may develop as spreading centers by gliding of the plates over a lubricating basalt magma.

The idea proposed by R. Schweickert (pers. commun., 1979) that the lithosphere is decoupled from the asthenosphere to an extent that the shell may rotate as a separate unit (as a means to explain how fixed plumes move in unison under the “roll” of the lithosphere) is dismissed. The subducted slabs act as braking flaps and cannot overcome the friction against the asthenosphere. The “roll” would be too young (50 m.y.), because the polar wandering according to Creer is much older.     

The indigenous origin of Witwatersrand “carbon”

In the Witwatersrand approximately 40% of the gold is intimately associated with so-called “carbon” in “carbon seam reefs”, which occur in over a dozen paleoplacers, many of them concentrated at two stratigraphic levels in the 7000-m-thick succession of Archean siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. This is reduced carbon, present as kerogen admixed in various proportions with derivative (now solid) bitumen(s). Oil generation and migration were active geological processes during Early Earth history. Numerous possible source rocks for oil generation, including the carbon seams themselves, occur within the Witwatersrand basin. In the Witwatersrand ore, oil-bearing fluid inclusions are also present, derived like the bitumen, by thermal maturation of the kerogen. The presence of kerogen and bitumen in the Witwatersrand sedimentary rocks, together with a wealth of observations on the spatial distribution of the carbon seams confirm that the carbon originated in situ from living organisms in microbial mat cover, as opposed to flowing in from elsewhere as liquid hydrocarbons as some researchers have suggested. Paleochannels, which truncated auriferous carbon seams early in the depositional history, are of widespread occurrence, and micro-synsedimentary faults offset carbon seams. The carbon seams are thus indigenous biogenic markers that grew contemporaneously with placer development. The various features highlighting the nature and spatial distribution of Witwatersrand carbon seams provide a classic case where field evidence trumps laboratory data in the reconstruction of geological processes.     

A tentative explanation of the origin of “transform faults” (with a critical remark on the term)

The offsets on the ocean floor, usually called “transform-faults” are not shear faults common in solid Hookian rocks, but reflect the viscous Newtonian properties of laminar flow at the time when the upwelling magma along the spreading center was still in a liquid state. During spreading this liquid is carried away with the walls of the spreading center. This movement creates a pattern of stream lines in the liquid which run parallel to the direction of spreading. “Transform faults” are initiated along zones where a larger rate of shear disturbs the process of solidification. Consequently the strength of the basalt after solidification will be impaired along these zones. These weak zones will fracture under the thermo-elastic stresses during the final stage of cooling.The history of the term “transform fault” is discussed and the name “spreading offset” is proposed.     

Neoliberalism and the making of food politics in California

This paper examines a philanthropy-led initiative which has as its objective to jump start the transition to a more sustainable and just food system in California. The first major project funded was a “vivid picture” of California’s food system twenty-five years in the future. The outcome of the project is a report that is glossed with the tropes of neoliberalism in all of its key organizing frameworks, analytics, cognitive maps, and idioms and argues for “opportunities-based approaches” as the engine of change. Yet, as described in the paper, this outcome was initially under-determined, and, in fact, the funders had originally intended to leverage their resources for large scale transformation. By examining four moments in the development of the Vivid Picture project, the grantee selection, the modeling exercise, the stakeholder meetings, and the qualitative interviews, this paper will show how existing techniques of neoliberal governance such as modeling, audit, best-practices, and stakeholder participation, as well as current norms of philanthropy, shaped what is thinkable and hence actable. It will also show how “stakeholders” played a constitutive role in producing the outcomes of the project, in part because their input reflected already-developed notions of the possible within the current climate of neoliberalism. In the end it will argue that the failure of the Vivid Picture to look beyond the neoliberal present is itself evidence of the proliferation of neoliberal governmentalities. Still, the entire process galvanized many of the movement actors who were left out of the funding process and, in that way, produced political openings.     

A tectonic interpretation of “Eburnean terrane” outliers in the Reguibat Shield, Mauritania

The Reguibat Shield comprises a western “Archaean terrane” and eastern “Eburnean terrane” juxtaposed during the early Palaeoproterozoic Eburnean Orogeny. Metasedimentary rocks of probable Palaeoproterozoic age are preserved as flat-lying klippen (Kediat Ijil and Guelb Zednes) and steep imbricate zones (El Mahaoudat range and Sfariat Belt). These are interpreted to record a phase of thrust tectonics that emplaced a continental margin succession onto a composite Archaean foreland prior to ca. 2.06 Ga sinistral transcurrent deformation. Together, these events reflect partitioned Eburnean transpression.     

Enhancement of edges of Sidi Chennane phosphate “disturbances” using sunshading responses of resistivity data

Sunshading is a powerful tool for the enhancement of edges in images. Given the azimuth and elevation of a source illumination, it calculates the reflectance from a surface which is composed of the data to be interpreted. It is a standard tool used in the interpretation of geophysical potential field data. In the great Oulad Abdoun phosphate basin, inclusions of sterile hardpan — so-called “disturbances” — are hard to detect as they interfere with phosphates. Their resistivity is above 200 Ohmm against 80 to 150 Ohmm for a phosphate-rich mineral. A Schlumberger resistivity survey over an area of 50 hectares was carried out. The geologic setting was successfully modeled on the basis of sunshaded maps of disturbances. A new field procedure was tested to deal with the extended edges of anomalous zones of phosphate deposit disturbances. Phosphate reserves were estimated more reliably.     

“Normal” and “inverted” metamorphic isograds and their relation to syntectonic proterozoic batholiths in the Wopmay Orogen, Northwest Territories, Canada

Three progressive metamorphic suites are developed in pelitic rocks of the northern Wopmay Orogen. Two suites are related to the Hepburn Batholith and one to the Wentzel Batholith. All three suites are cut by post-metamorphic wrench faults, some of which have significant vertical displacement. The structural relief so provided reveals that medium-and high-grade isograds associated with the Hepburn Batholith dip inward towards the batholith and are thus “hot-side-up”. Isograds associated with the Wentzel Batholith dip away from the batholith and are thus “hot-side-down”. It is concluded that Hepburn Batholith has the form of the flattened funnel fed from depth, and that Wentzel Batholith is the arched roof of an intrusive complex of unknown shape at depth.     

It takes a garden: Cultivating citizen-subjects in organized garden projects

Since the 1980’s organized garden projects have proliferated in a institutional settings associated with the “roll-out” neoliberal state and the sad consequences of neoliberalism more generally: jails, schools, hospitals and other clinical settings for “at-risk” populations. This article advances the concept “organized garden project” over the richly connotative, but inchoate term “community garden,” and links the long episodic history of garden projects with changing discourses about the supposedly transformative power of gardening practice for individual and social transformation. The article highlights two organized garden projects within the San Francisco Bay area, a chief locus in the movement to using organized garden projects to produce new individual and collective subjectivities. The case studies assess, from the typically unambiguous standpoint of the garden organizers, the nature of the subjectivity that gardening practice is supposed to produce, the need for such alternative subjectivity and the “difference” such alternatives are believed to make for the individual and in the wider social, political and economic milieu.