Hopefully you are wondering what the heck is going on.
As I mentioned in my last post (days turned to weeks and it is just moments before a whole month has gone by), I am currently a visiting researcher in the Conservation Science Unit at Cambridge University's Department of Zoology. Here, I am expanding my repertoire, stocking my modest arsenal of ideas, and making decisions about my future. I am soon to submit my dissertation to the University of British Columbia. In that process, Randy Olson and I have decided to close down the Shifting Baselines blog in favor of a new solo endeavor: a blog also here at SEED, which will be called Guilty Planet.
It will open shortly.
It has been with great pleasure that, for nearly the last two years I stood at the helm (accompanied by a very cool crew) of the Shifting Baselines blog. Randy Olson and I have had a great time on this journey (see proof below)...
But as my research evolves, I thought it was best that the topic my blog covers evolved, too. Never fear: Shifting Baselines will still exist (in perpetuity as a concept) and will continue to take shape in various media with Randy Olson's Shifting Baselines Ocean Media Project. This small branch of the project is simply being cut and grafted onto a new tree of ideas...
Guilty Planet will venture beyond the marine realm and into the most vast and complex environment of all: the human psyche. There will still be thoughts and examples of shifting baselines, but I also hope to include more analyses from experimental economics, psychology, and conservation in general.
Your patience and feedback will be much appreciated during this expansion. So please visit!
Guilty Planet. Coming soon to a blog near you...
Comments
Good luck Jennifer! We'll miss the SB blog, but look forward to the new one.
Posted by: Mike Hirshfield | March 9, 2009 1:35 PM
Best of luck with the new direction Jenn! Have enjoyed reading your posts.
Posted by: Megan | March 9, 2009 10:51 PM
Sniff sniff What a great run you gave SB. Now get that new blog up asap, we need to see your ideas out there. You've done a terrific job of keeping us informed. Don't give up on us now! Thanks for always forcing us to think.
Posted by: Sari | March 10, 2009 9:57 AM
Well done, Randy and Jennifer! Looking forward to the new incarnation...
Posted by: Erik, Orion Grassroots Network | March 10, 2009 7:07 PM
Hm, just when I spotted a story for you to cover, too.
~Well, if you can: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/release.php?id=1731
"Commercial fishing in the north-east Atlantic could be harming deep-sea fish populations a kilometre below the deepest reach of fishing trawlers, according to a 25-year study published on Wednesday [in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B]."
Posted by: Luna_the_cat | March 11, 2009 3:31 AM
I'm excited to see what's on your new blog Jennifer! Will you still be teaching at WWU spring quarter? I convinced my boyfriend to take the class and might try to sit in on some lectures.
Posted by: Marybeth | March 11, 2009 10:39 PM
Thank you Mike, Megan, Sari, Erik, Luna and Marybeth (and yes, Marybeth, I will be teaching in the spring from 10-12--what's your boyfriend's name and I'll be sure to call on him for every question [wink]; if you do manage to sit in, try coming to the lectures the last week or two of the quarter when I will talk about merging the arts and sciences!). Best wishes to everyone...
Posted by: Jennifer L. Jacquet | March 12, 2009 3:01 AM
He would be quite embarrassed I'm sure. His name's Paul Israel, he's actually working as a photographer for Western's 'The Planet' this quarter (he snagged the cover for Winter Quarter). I'm taking the class along with him next quarter as a photographer (it'll be the first time I've ever taken photos for something other than my own boredom, kind of nervous). If you have any ideas for the spring issue, you should share 'em! The staff is always open to suggestions and I'm sure they would appreciate your knowledge.
Posted by: Marybeth | March 12, 2009 12:29 PM
have enjoyed the shifting baselines blog and will attend guilty planet as well however the guilty planet banner gives me a headache. very messy it is, very messy...
Posted by: Neal MacDonald | March 19, 2009 1:46 PM
I find this video very insightful. It breaks down what is happening to the Tijuana estuary. First, it explains what is happening between the U.S and Tijuana. By describing the rapid incline in population, the impact on pollution is clearly evident. What got me was that eighty percent of water pollutions from around the Tijuana area were tested positively for Hepatitis A. The pollution issues go hand in hand with health issues and this video helps make that link obvious. The younger generation accepts pollution and the problems that go along with it. The part about shifting baselines makes it apparent that we, the younger generation, need to change our attitude into stopping pollution instead of accepting it. It is shocking to hear that California has lost ninety percent of its wetlands. California is thought of at the home of the surfers and is known for its beauty. Have we become too accustomed to what the “new” California looks like?
The video lays out many of the issues that pollution has developed. However, the solutions are not clearly stated. Besides getting involved with local efforts, what are the other solutions and active ways people can help? This video has a dramatic impact on people. Even though the proactive attitude may only last seconds after someone watches the video, it is important for that person to get clued in on ways to help. Lastly, the cartoon part of the video kills the serious tone and does not mesh with the rest of the attitude of the video. Without the cartoon exert, this video would be extremely proactive.
Posted by: talia | April 22, 2009 3:18 PM
Sniff sniff What a great run you gave SB. Now get that new blog up asap, we need to see your ideas out there. You've done a terrific job of
Posted by: cet | June 21, 2009 11:58 PM