Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
urbanization, for example, he describes how the
particular combination of housing, transport
infrastructure, factories and offices mean that
cities reflect a kind of spatial logic for capitalist
society (Harvey, 1989a) (see
Chapter 6)
. This form
of integrated spatial logic can also be seen to
operate at regional scales, where systems of
knowledge and skills sharing facilitate the
development of distinctive economic practices
(see Scott, 1988). But spatial systems can also be
see at the much more local neighbourhood levels,
where home life, schools, working, recreation and
shopping have to be organized and negotiated on
a day-to-day basis. Perhaps the dominant spatial
system in operation today is the global market
place. This is essentially a system that is premised
upon the assumption that the most effective,
efficient and successful way of organizing
economic activity is at a planetary scale (see
Chapter 4).
At this scale, it is claimed that
investment can most easily support the most
successful economic enterprises, and consumers
can decide to purchase their goods from a wide
range of transnational suppliers. Throughout this
book we will consider how the spatial systems
in and through which we organize our social,
economic and political lives play a crucial role in
shaping the kinds of relations that we have with
local and global environments.
EXERCISE
Golden spikes and the Anthropocene
Plate 1.5
shows the Ediacaran golden
spike in Australia. Golden spikes are
used to provide visible markers
between different geological periods.
This particular spike is being used to
define the Paleozoic era. For this
exercise you must imagine that you
are working for the International
Palaeontological Congress. In this
capacity you need to do three things: 1)
draw up a list of three potential places
where the golden spike marking the
beginning of the Anthropocene could
be placed; 2) provide a list of pros and
cons for choosing each of the three
sites you have identified; 3) nominate
one of the sites as the preferred
location for the golden spike and
explain the reasoning behind this
selection.
