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Steve makes an interesting general comment on the forum to date: <in fact, I'd go further... we need to acknowledge that this forum is itself exclusive... not everyone feels safe or easy communicating in this environment... indeed, I think that this forum's complete and abject failure to generate any meaningful discussion on what exactly is critical about critical geography is symptomatic of this...> In a previous contribution I raised the issue about defining 'critical geography'. I feel this term is appropriated by some people on the list in a rather complacent way - as if they were saying: 'We are the geographers who are critical - who carry out work that is clearly a critique of society, policy issues etc. Other geographers who do not share our 'narrow', marxist (?), ill-defined political perspective cannot be regarded as 'critical'. I have a sting impression that I do not share the same political perspective as many of the geographers on this list, but should that exclude me from participating? To put it differently: is it fair to the membership of this list if I continued to 'participate' even though I do not share similar views to those which have been expressed? Steve makes the point that the discussion so far has not been that impressive. I agree. It has been articulate, but very narrowly focused on a few issues which have not generated much variation in opinion. In some ways these issues could be described as 'safe', 'popular' or perhaps even 'politically correct'. But they have not really got to the root of the problems which have been raised - little was said, for example about the nature of the Nigerian government or about interrealtionships between business and politics in Nigeria/Africa. I should add that I am not particularly well informed on these issues. The main reason I continue to subscribe is that this list has brought together an interesting group of geographers with the potential to proivde a useful exchange of views. Perhaps the ice has not been broken yet and if some people meet in Vancouver or wherever, this might help to generate a more open and truly 'critical' discussion. Seamus Grimes Univ College Galway %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%