The special issue of the Canadian Journal of Communication, guest-edited by our colleague Chris Russill, has just been published. Entitled “Earth-Observing Media,” it brings together eight articles by leading scholars Canadian and American in a major contribution by Communication researchers addressing a serious blind-spot in the discourse on the environment, namely, its “dual use” grounding in both military and peace applications. The major technologies of earth observation that all carry humanitarian promises (open source and real-time accessibility) have their origins in conjoint military and corporate infrastructures. To quote Chris, “the articles and art assembled here disclose various forms of conceptual cleavage between security interests, scientific practice, peace-seeking, and commercial development.” The articles in the issue expand the range of media usually considered by scholars to now include radar, sonar, satellites, atomic clocks, GPS, drones, UV light detection, as well as radio, cartography, and computers.
To celebrate this research achievement, we are holding a low-key and informal gathering for faculty members and graduate student in RB (River Building) 4310 on Oct. 4, from 3.30-5.30. If you BYOB, refreshments can be served. Copies of the Journal issue can be purchased for the low, low price of $15 (please bring exact amount). And we can raise a glass to toast Chris and the fine, innovative issue he put together! The Canadian Journal of Communication is housed at Carleton University, thanks to the generosity of Dean Plourde, and is edited by Michael Dorland.