Citizen Science

This week has been challenging, hence no blog. The challenge is all the global political posturing. To compensate, Heather and I attended the SOOF Soup Saturday meeting at the Centrelea Community Hall. First, I wanted to renew our membership. Second, I wanted to hear Lisa Proulx on Citizen Science and third, to hear Brad Redden on lithium exploration licenses on South Mountain in Annapolis County. I invited John Wightman to join us, because I know that he has good, first hand experience on lithium exploration.

Overall, it was a positive boost. It gave us a sense of community. It reminded us of the potential value of rare earth minerals in Nova Scotia,

Today (Sunday) we enjoyed the hospitality of Vicki Barteaux, Jeannie and Tim Shoveller, and their friends David and Carol, in Clarence. We shared a belated birthday cake, cooked by staff at Bees Knees.

Last Thursday, the Reader was full of notices about community activity. This included a talk by Andy Kerr on AI at the Annapolis Royal library. CORAH is presenting a transformative simulation journey, Experience Dementia Live ( Monday, March 3rd.)

On the reading front, I continue to work through Mike Parker’s ‘Map Addict’, (356 pp.)

Two pieces of information reminded me of time spent back in England.

‘The very first Director General (DG) without military training was Professor David Rhind, who took up his post only in 1992.’ p.90.

‘Today’s Ordnance Survey (OS) is a very different beast from its earlier incorporation even that of only thirty years ago. The appointment of Vanessa Lawrence as DG is the most obvious symbol of a new digitally oriented, more feminized OS’ p.92.

I recall fondly, my time in the UK, with both David and Vanessa.

In conclusion, we do need to maintain our cadre of ‘citizen scientists’.

The message to myself is how to balance the roles of ‘citizen’ and ‘scientist’ in these difficult times.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Heather, Jeannie Shoveller and John Wightman for giving me a sense of community.

Reference

Mike Parker, 2023, Map Addict, William Collins.