What just happened? After more people than ever stood for election to Council (17), more people than ever (1718) voted for them (Geoscientist 26.04)! Whence this sudden enthusiasm for democracy, despite the stiff headwinds blowing from America’s Primaries, and local Councils up and down the UK?
I am writing in April. By the time you read this, we will be in referendum mode and, perhaps, more tired than ever of would-be leaders wittering meaninglessly about ‘them’ and ‘us’ (without defining either term). ‘Belonging’, which is what so many political questions eventually boil down to, is complex and emotive; but it is easier to analyse for elective associations like ours. We should be able to understand why we belong to the Geological Society, or anything else we choose (and pay for the privilege) to join.
For example, I belong to my National Union because I support its role in protecting the integrity of my profession against forces that would, if they could, turn it into propaganda. Personally, I receive only warm feelings in return; I pay in, so that others may benefit – others who need it more than I. As a hoary Father of Chapel once told a junior reporter who dared ask what he would ‘get’ for his Union dues: “Solidarity, brother, solidarity!”
And what is Fellowship about, if not this? We FGS’s may work in widely differing fields, from exploration to – well, journalism. But we are united by our passion for the Earth, its structure and history. We agree that our knowledge is important to any well-rounded world-view – now, perhaps, more than ever. And we probably agree that we can achieve more collectively than individually. An individual can’t save a whale. A collective can.
So, as the Society prepares its next 10-year strategy (see Interview with President Malcolm Brown) let us not cede the moral high ground before battle has even commenced by assuming that we, the Fellowship, are motivated only by material benefits (the library, the meetings, the discounts, the journal of your choice, the copy of Geoscientist) - important though they are. If we join collectives solely for what we can get out of them, we are impoverishing not only our societies, but ourselves too.
By participating and voting so magnificently, you have shown that you do feel a sense of belonging; and this is particularly important for Earth science because we are not numerous. We need to cluster.
Solidarity, brothers and sisters, solidarity!
DR TED NIELD NUJ FGS, EDITOR
[email protected], @TedNield @geoscientistmag