I couldn't agree more with Fraser's comments from yesterday. A brief look
at the Forum's archive from last month shows that, of the 59 messages sent
to the list, around 40 were advertisements of various sorts - conferences,
jobs, books and so on (and I realise I was responsible for at least one of
these myself). Clearly the list acts as a useful dissemination point for
such information, and I would hope that it continues to do so. Also in the
recent past a number of thought-provoking contributions have been made with
reference to various topical issues (foot and mouth, Bush etc. etc.) but
have generally failed to provoke much response.
To take things back to basics, the Dictionary of Human Geography tells us
that critical human geography is 'a diverse and rapidly changing set of
ideas and practices within human geography linked by a shared commitment to
emancipatory politics within and beyond the discipline, to the promotion of
progressive social change and to the development of a broad range of
critical theories and their application in geographical research and
political practice.' (p. 126). For suggested reading in this section, the
dictionary suggests the archive of this very Forum!
Surely the list can, once again, be put to wider good use, once more moving
beyond the mundane and towards the critical?
Chris
>What has happened to CGF? After five years, do the people who set it up feel
>content that it has become merely a list for the exchange of job adverts and
>calls for papers?
>
>It is incredible (maybe not?) that there has been absolutely no discussion
>of Mayday Monopoly (apart from Keith Halfacree's bulletins - thanks Keith).
>And yet the media is awash with articles substantively written by the
>Metropolitan Police who are pre-justifying all manner of aggressive tactics.
>For those of us who can't make it, it would be good to read accounts from
>the participants. Good wishes to all geographers who are going: may you all
>land on Free Parking and not Go To Jail.
>
>Fraser MacDonald
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Christopher Bear
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Department of Geography and Environment
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