On Wednesday, I attended Dr. Claudio Margottini's talk on what he termed cultural geology—an emerging field in the geosciences that combines earth science with other disciplines, specifically cultural anthropology, architectural engineering, and political science. As a UNESCO consultant, Dr. Margottini travels the world working to preserve World Heritage sites in danger from geological hazards, working both with other scientists as well as local populations.
Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking parts of the talk wasn't the actual presentation but a question that was posed by another audience member. A high school geology teacher, she asked if Dr. Margottini had any suggestions for making the media and the public aware of their preservation efforts and successes.
"All the kids ever hear about is that this temple was destroyed, that statue was torn down," she said. "It makes them lose interest. Is there any way we can let people know that there is actually good news too?"
I've been turning this teacher's question over and over ever since she posed it. While raising awareness about the "doom and gloom" both in current events and science certainly has an important place, all too often an invaluable piece of the greater puzzle is left out—hope.
When we present problems without the possibility of a solution or even amelioration—whether the problem is the destruction of ancient artifacts or global climate change—we lose touch with the public. We lose the ingenuity of the younger generation—who wants to go into a field that offers nothing but hopelessness?
As geologists and members of the greater scientific community, we should recognize the truth of an age-old adage: You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. And by searching for fresh, innovative ways to share stories of success, advancement, and hope alongside information about the problems we face, we not only present a more balanced view of science, but attract new individuals to contribute to the advancement of all fields, whether anthropological, geological, or somewhere in between.
-M. Kellum Tate
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