‘We Belong Here’: Racist Central Park Video Shows Why We Need Diversity Outdoors.
During the past week, I have continued to listen, read, and educate myself on the issues that Black people and other minoritized identities in science face and what needs to be done to make the scientific endeavor open and equitable to all curious minds. I hope that you, too, have kept up the momentum from last week. One article that has stayed with me is this one by Yessenia Funes from Earther on this truth: Many Black people don’t feel safe in our public outdoor spaces like national parks, forest preserves, and, yes, Central Park’s Ramble. If you enjoy spending time in the natural environment, give this one a read, and then keep it in mind during your next visit to a park.
—Kimberly Cartier, Staff Writer
#GeoGRExit: Why Geosciences Programs Are Dropping the GRE. I learned so much from this opinion piece on why stopping the use of Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores for admissions could be one avenue for making geoscience education more equitable. According to research, the GRE is biased against people of color compared with white and Asian people and biased against women compared with men. On top of that, it does not predict success for the student. The authors explain ways to ditch the GRE and still screen for the best applicants during the admissions process.
—Jenessa Duncombe, Staff Writer
Oumuamua: Neither Comet nor Asteroid, but a Cosmic Iceberg.
A new hypothesis about the origin and nature of ‘Oumuamua, the bizarre, cigar-shaped cosmic guest that was spotted speeding through the solar system in 2017, is the most intriguing yet, for my money. For a few minutes while reading this piece, my mind and imagination were transported from my home office out into space and, indeed, all the way into “the coldest, densest lumps” of interstellar gas. It was glorious!
—Timothy Oleson, Science Editor
The Walrus. I am in the middle of reading the June issue of The Walrus, the Canadian monthly, and it has two stories that hit me: one on climate refugees (“Stranded by the Climate Crisis”) and another on astronauts and isolating in space (“What Astronauts Can Teach Us About Mental Health and Isolation”).
—Naomi Lubick, International Editor
The power of Nature…
Massive landslide sweeps 8 buildings into the sea near Alta in Norway as huge chunk of coast vanishes underwater. Happened at about 12 noon of 4.6.2020.
(received as a forward. Must check authenticity) pic.twitter.com/wljREsmx4i— Ila Sharma (@ila_home) June 11, 2020
We’ve all seen this breathtaking footage from a Norwegian quick clay landslide. (Read more about it from our blogger!) But I just want to recognize the video work here—the footage is incredibly steady and focused, and the videographer doesn’t talk over it. Well done.
—Caryl-Sue, Managing Editor