Here you can read our reaction to the reading in order instead of posts.
Private: Introduction to Peter Jackson’s ‘Thinking Geographically’
One might ask, what is geography? Geography to many is about maps, mountains, trees and rivers, but for geographers it means so much more. For us geographers it’s hard to clearly define the word ‘geography’. Some of the terms we use to describe the nature of what we do and what we learn, comprises of space, place, culture, connections, scales, globalization, economy and the physical, without discarding the simplicity of the maps, mountains, rivers and trees. Together these words form a meaning – and for us geographers that meaning is Geography.
Now that we know what Geography is, it’s time to start thinking geographically. In order to think geographically we must put an emphasis on the previously mentioned terms and associate them with everyday life. I’d like to begin with an example of how the movement of people through space, is unlikely to be considered geography, to anybody unassimilated with geography itself. This movement however, demonstrates the power of thinking geographically, linking space, place, cultures and so much more. A notion that a non-factually based foundation couldn’t be considered geography for what it is. This comes as a consequence of a lack of awareness of the geographical world, ideally these Jackson endeavours to teach and to share this world with the ‘outsiders’. Engaging with some of these concepts, would allow you to open your mind to filtering such information through a geographical lens.
Jackson’s reading goes on to explore the key concepts of Thinking Geographically. As a whole, these consist of ‘Space and Place, Scale and Connection, Proximity and Distance and Relational Thinking’. Using these approaches, geographers can analyse circumstances and situations by applying examples to these topics. Therefore, proving how fundamental these theories are to the world of geography. Although there are many forms of geography, Jackson has enabled these topics to be alternated between social, physical and economic geography. Regardless of difference, these geographies remain connected. The reading goes on to look at the applications of these concepts and hopefully our interpretations will allow you to decipher and value the opinions of those who critically engage with them.
Ailish Murphy 112312366
SPACE AND PLACE
Firstly we will start of with the definition for both of these words. Space, what is space?! The simplest way to put it is that space is an area or a location. Depending on the scale you can call it a region, country, continent and so forth. We know space really depends on things that are in it. That is why even space can be as unique as place.
What is place? Lot of geographers have their own opinion on this topic and there are a few arguments going around. Place is something that is definitely connected to space but more over place is not something as concrete as space. Nevertheless place is just as unique as space. With the new geography at our door step we have to look at everything in a new way. What I want to address here is the fact that so far all the geographers I have been reading off have put place and space together and try to connect them in a certain way. Yes place happens on space but has anyone ever thought of looking at space and place as two totally different subjects?!
Back to what is place. The main factor in place is human beings. Without humans I believe that place would have never even been discussed in the first place. Massey tries to argue with a lot of geographers about the uniqueness of place. To argue with that I have to say she is looking at this only through one side. What she needs to realise is that she has to look at it from every direction possible. We are not in only one dimensional geography anymore. The concept of a network in this manner is very hard to understand since place is like a network connected to everything around itself where it still is unique. That is where human beings make it unique. Their feeling change as time goes on and different events happen, making new traditions with keeping old ones. Place is unique and different.
Alexandra Koppová 112352666
Scale and Connection
Scale and connection is a frequently discussed issue in relation to geography in the twenty first century today. As portrayed in the excerpt “Thinking Geographically”, scales can be represented in several different contexts. Firstly scales can be described in a rural to urban, national to international or from a local to global context. Jackson states that “demonstrating how decisions taken at the local level have global consequences and how the decisions of global corporations have differential effects in different localities.” In Ireland many decisions taken at government level have had serious impacts on the lives of the people in rural communities in the periphery. A recent example of this is the removal of medical cards from the elderly in the budget of 2012. The local community took the incentive to march to the Dail and fight for their rights to keep their medical benefits. By doing this the government retracted their decision. Another topical debate which greatly affected the rural inhabitants of Ireland was the introduction of the Common Agricultural Policy. On this occurrence the farming community suffered the consequences. “The EU Commission proposals on the Common Agricultural Policy have the capacity to undermine active Irish producers, interfere with farmers’ normal business decisions and, at a national level, reduce the capacity of Irish agriculture to contribute to our much needed economic recovery”. According to the glossary of the Urban Social Geography dictionary, “glocalization” is “the ways in which developments in particular places are the outcome of both local and global forces.” This is yet another factor which can be taken into consideration when discussing scale and connection. Mcdonaldisation is a trend that has materialized over the last fifteen years and is a common example of this phenomenon. This is the emergence of the fast food chain through countries all across the world. Many of these fast food restaurants have adapted their menus to cater for the culture of that nation. In Korea for example, McDonalds catered for the Korean culture by selling Korean style burgers. The impact of “glocalization” in relation to scale and connection is that the cultures of countries are merging together and many local communities are being greatly affected by the decisions taken on a global level.
Overall, the effects of decisions made on both the local and global level should always be carefully considered so as to have as positive an outcome as possible. Scale and connection is a critical topic in relation to the geography of the twenty first century today.
References
Jackson, P., 2006. Thinking Geographically. s.l., s.n.
O’Keefe, P., 2011. Farmers Journal. [Online]
Available at: http://www.farmersjournal.ie/site/farming-Farmers-warn-on-CAP-effect-14124.html#sthash.Q8rm2liA.dpuf
[Accessed 18th October 2013].
Ella O’Brien 112718541
Proximity and Distance
Proximity and distance are geographical terms which perceive distance to be something which is imagined rather than a physically measured .It is true that through the medium of technology, places seem nearer to people even though they may be quite a distance away.
The internet in particular is a quite advantageous form of technology. One can make sense of things going on in the world without actually being present. Jackson uses the example of using technology in helping pupils understand the social and physical effects the Asian tsunami caused in late 2005. Technology however, can also allow individuals deepen their knowledge of culture and social elements which comprise a place, without a person ever being there. For example Knox and Marston point out ‘hip-hop is a cultural practise that has truly globalized, not because its practitioners have migrated far and wide, but because its culture has migrated via telecommunications and the music and film industries’ ( pp.108).
However, even with the use of technology drawing us nearer to a place, places can still remain socially isolated. Jackson outlines ‘remoteness is socially constructed rather than an inevitable consequence of distance’ ( pp. 200 ). It can be argued that places are made remote through social factors. Jackson argues a geographical imagination is lacking in society today. This statement I believe is indeed quite accurate. One need only glance at a television set today to see various visual advertisement displays, for example of third world hunger and poverty seeking donations and aid. Individuals in society seem to be less mindful of imbalances which exist quite literally around them.
This idea of proximity and distance therefore reflects the concept that society may find it easier to contribute to strangers at a further distance rather than to assist those who are nearby and require help. Agreeing with Jackson , it is fair to say proximity and distance is a concept not about physically measuring place in kilometres, but rather a place being viewed as a perception of imagined distance.
Bibliography:
Jackson, P., 2006. Thinking Geographically. (pp.200)
Knox. L., & Marston A.. Introduction to Geography 5th Ed. (pp.108)
Sinead Mullins 112347971
Relational Thinking
To start we will define both relational thinking and orientalism as they are important words when dealing with this topic. Relational thinking is simply how we consider variations and comparisons by differentiating between the geographies of us and them, for example in relation to race. Orientalism is the study done by Westerners of Eastern cultures, languages and people. Jackson agrees with Edward Said’s study of Orientalism which says that the Western view of the East reveals a lot about the cultures, languages and people of the East, if not more about them than the Westerners who conducted a study on the East. However, this could not be the case because those who do a study on a particular topic would have a better insight than those who are looking at the subject from the very distant outside and coming up with their own opinions on the topic. Therefore, the Orientalists’ view would reveal a lot more about the East than the general Westerners’ view.
Jackson also states that when people think of us and them, West and East, there is automatically a sense of fear. Although this sense of fear Jackson talks about in his article may be true in certain cases it is a bit of a generalisation to say that everyone has this sense of fear when they think about us and them. Thus, I do not agree with the way he talks about this dread people have when they think about self and other as this would definitely not be the case with everyone from the West and East. Therefore, orientalism is a much stronger view point of the East than the general opinion of the East that Westerners have as Orientalists conduct an in-depth study into the cultures, languages and people of the East so they have a lot more knowledge to talk about the East than the Westerners do.
Bibliography:
Jackson P., (2006) Thinking Geographically. Geography 91(3), pp. 199-204.
Pipes D., (1979) Orientalism, Daniel Pipes, accessed 19 October 2013, <http://www.danielpipes.org/7957/orientalism>
Katie McKay 112417258
Thinking Geographically About Consumer Ethics
Combining these four concepts Jackson proceeds to apply them to an example in order to display the complexities of localities in contemporary society. As he states in his conclusion it is important to realize that this new understanding of geography does not provide solutions but instead it is useful for achieving a more nuanced and insightful understanding of current issues.
Looking at the example given by Jackson it becomes clear that his suggested understanding of geography is beneficial. The opportunity provided by Oxfam to purchase commodities to strangers as a form of charity is an illustration of the connection of places. Oxfam connects England with various places in the world deemed in need of charity. So the nature of the connection between these places and England will by large depend on the choices of Oxfam and English citizens. If Oxfam decides to remove a place from their line of products it will disrupt this connection. Likewise, there is the potential for certain places to receive the majority of charity due to price range of commodities or cultural factors influencing the choice of English donors. In this example, the connection between places both appears to be unstable and have a skewed power dynamic.
An example of the frail nature of this flow can be seen when individuals with authority criticize the effectiveness or feasibility of the project, as happened in this case. If this criticism is accepted as valid by a large amount of consumer the flow will mostly likely see significant changes or stop completely. The subsequent counter-arguments by Oxfam made it increasingly difficult consumers to decide what was the ethically correct choice and is an example of how individuals have to decide between conflicting expert knowledge in contemporary society. (Jackson, 2006)
The conception of distance and proximity is also highly relevant when looking at charity trends. The Oxfam goat is a case where places are close in proximity despite physical distance. This erasure of distance highlights the potentially value-laden choice of recipients of charity. When physical distance has little consequence to flows, the concept of proximity helps visualizing political, cultural and economic ties between different places. In this sense, concepts of proximity and distance are useful in problematizing the space of flows.
Bibliography:
Jackson, P., 2006. Thinking Geographically. Geography 91(3): 199-204
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