Jonathan Murphy, founder of GoGeomatics Canada, for fun, asked Artificial Intelligence chatGPT
‘who is Bob Maher’?
Below is the response.
Dr. Robert Maher is a significant figure in the Canadian geospatial community, particularly known for his contributions to the College of Geographic Sciences (COGS) and the Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG). His importance to the geographic community stems from his extensive work in education, research, and application of geographic sciences.
— ChatGPT
Dr. Maher obtained his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Western Ontario and later taught at Memorial University of Newfoundland in the Department of Geography, covering areas like Quantitative Methods, Computer Mapping, and Biogeography. In 1980, he joined the faculty at the Nova Scotia Land Survey Institute, which he helped transform into COGS. This transformation played a crucial role in developing the institute’s focus on geographic sciences, including Computer Programming, Cartography and Planning, and Surveying.
Between 1988 and 1999, Dr. Maher worked as a GIS consultant in Indonesia and for ESRI in the United States. He also collaborated with universities and government agencies across Canada. He returned to COGS in 2000 as the Senior Research Scientist in the AGRG, retiring from this position in 2011.
His work at COGS and AGRG involved significant developments in geographic education and applied research. During his tenure, the focus at COGS shifted towards applied geomatics research, highlighting the practical application of technology to real-world problems. This included cooperative projects with industry and government partners in various sectors like Forestry, Geology, and Health Sciences.
Dr. Maher has also been involved in writing “The Story of COGS,” a project documenting the history and development of the College of Geographic Sciences. This work includes research, interviews, and the compilation of materials and experiences from COGS’s inception as the Nova Scotia Land Survey Institute to its evolution into a hub for geographic sciences education and research.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Maher was appointed as Geographer Emeritus at COGS. This role reflects his ongoing commitment to geography and his efforts to maintain connections within the geographic community, emphasizing the importance of geographic education and the application of geographic sciences in various fields.
Dr. Maher’s work, particularly at COGS and within the broader geospatial community, has been instrumental in advancing geographic education and research in Canada. His contributions have helped shape the landscape of geographic sciences, making him a notable and respected figure in the field.
I forwarded it to Edward Wedler. His suggestion was that the response should reference my over 500 blog posts spanning several years. This is interesting, since the blogs are published under ernestblairexperiment.wordpress.com. The name comes from Ernest, for Ernest Buckler, and Blair, for Eric Blair (aka George Orwell) . Experiment – life is an experiment.
Today, I visited Integrity Printing in Bridgetown to request a hard copy of my 2023 blogs. Volume 8. This blog post will be #550.
Jon’s response from AI chat GPT raises a number of interesting questions about the impact of AI on Geography/ Geographic Information Systems.
In the mail, on our return from BC, I found the 2024 Esri Canada calendar.
In the letter from the President, Alex Miller, he describes the founding of Esri Canada in 1984. Forty years ago. I remember well; Alex’s visit to COGS
From COGS, he hired David Roscoe, John Houwelling and Eric Melanson. It has been an exciting journey.
In the Esri 2024 calendar, the map for July shows the Harvest Moon Trailway through the Annapolis Valley (see Tourism Nova Scotia’s Harvest Moon Trailway LINK). The Map was designed and produced by Marcel Morin, Lost Art Cartography — another COGS graduate, living and working in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia (see the Recording of Marcel’s December 2023 meeting of the Blomidon Naturalists Society).
Acknowledgements
Jon Murphy, a COGS graduate, initiated the inquiry. Edward Wedler, retired COGS faculty, added value to the query.
Reference
ESRI Canada 2024 Calendar, Forty Years, The Science of Where.
Ernest Blair Experiment 