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Showing posts with the label Geological Society of Australia

Mt Warning: Freedom of speech missing at GSA

Freedom of speech missing at GSA crossposted from linkedin I have been a member of the Geological Society of Australia since the mid 1990s but I resigned today after the Society's leadership  once again  censored a letter I had sent to the society's newsletter ( The Australian Geologist - TAG) . This dealt with the pending ban on public access to the summit of Mt Warning in northern NSW, perhaps the largest well-preserved ancient volcanic caldera in the southern hemisphere. The quarterly newsletter is the main avenue members can share geologically relevant issues.  The editorial policy of TAG at the time I sent the letter read as follows: TAG ed policy I gather the policy and TAG itself is currently under review, apparently:  "The review will be managed by eminent (well respected) independent scientists, led by a high-profile member (e.g. one who is a fellow of the AAS)" . I would have thought someone with an open mind and a desire to uphold free speech and scientifi...

Intellectual freedoms sold out debating the Climb.

Intellectual freedom sold out debating the Climb. I have been a member of the  Geological Society of Australia , since the mid-1990s. While there has been no official statement from the society about the ban on climbing Ayers Rock the society newsletter (TAG - short for The Australian Geologist ) did publish an essay supporting the climb by me in the March 2018 issue. This generated some debate in the following issue from a few who think that the rock should not be scaled, fair enough. In the December 2018 issue of TAG, there was an advertisement for my Book " A guide to climbing Ayers Rock ". This is how the ad appeared, on page 45 near the last page.  TAG December 2018, page 45 The ad triggered a response from U niversity of Adelaide lecturer Dr Kathryn Amos . Dr Amos was gobsmacked by the appearance of the advert in the newsletter and her letter appeared in the March 2019 issue of The Australian Geologist (TAG)... TAG March 2019, page 9. While I welcome ...

The Australian Geologist Climb for science

My article from the March 2018 issue of the Geological Society of Australia's newsletter "The Australian Geologist" (TAG) appears below. Open in new tab, or download to read.