Germany, culture and the age of reason
The University Council has a serious decision ahead of it in terms of the proposal to terminate, inter alia, the teaching of German.One understands the dilemma of our uni leadership given their financial constraints and the disappointing statistics. To lose German, however, would be a fateful betrayal of a particularly rich tradition of teaching and research in Otago, as witnessed by the holdings in our library.With French and English, German constitutes the bedrock of European culture in the broadest sense: music, philosophy, literature and theology. To lose it would mean holding a wake for Goethe’s Faust, Rilke’s lyrics, the fiery pen of Bertolt Brecht. Are we really ready for this?
The decision before the council is serious, above all, for what it says about the emerging identity of Otago University. The proposed expensive new logo may be a hint that we could be sliding into a trendy parochialism. Internationalism, so dear to our Scottish forebears, appears to be at a discount. While our science and medical faculties hit the headlines regularly with their superb research, the humanities are manifestly struggling.
And now things could get very much worse. Let’s hope reason will prevail. One does not envy the council as it confronts these crucial issues.
Sad to hear plans to end teaching of international languages at Otago University (ODT, 22.3.23). While some languages are being retained at a basic level, the proud tradition of the university in teaching languages is now a ticking timebomb.
I was fortunate as an Otago graduate from a disadvantaged background to be part of the university’s first Chinese classes in the 1990s. From a small town, this was my first taste of international culture, something that allowed me to enjoy an academic and commercial career focused on China.
No doubt, the university’s plans are financially inspired, however it does beg the question: can Dunedin be a small global city if it does not invest in the learning of languages/cultures of our trading partners?
Questions and ploys
In our democracy everyone's vote, i.e. opinion, is equal, but that is not how science works (Letters, 23.3.23). While it is true consensus has no place in doing science, it is the natural consequence of doing it right. You find it in textbooks and reports such as those from the IPCC.
To change the consensus one must produce evidence strong enough to persuade the experts, and anyone is free to try. An expert is one who works and publishes in the field, and the forum for scientific debate is scientific journals, not blogs, popular books, political party electioneering or council meetings.
Experts and non-experts alike have failed to refute AGW — the theory of anthropogenic global warming — whatever their scientific qualifications. In the end, a wide consensus is evidence and the only evidence the public needs.
"Just asking questions" is a red herring — a ploy by climate deniers to delay us taking the action needed to save ourselves from ourselves.
Wind issues
On Tuesday, Dunedin's streets were covered with litter, much of it from wheelie bins blowing over. If strong winds are expected, I loop an old bike tube through the wheelie bin handle (and itself) on one side, stretch it diagonally over the lid, and hook it on to the front corners. That way, even if it blows over, the lid stays shut.
Lest we forget, Ernest Shackleton’s captain
The article "Shedding light on Shackleton’s dark times" (ODT, 15.3.23), written by Dalya Alberge for Guardian News and Media, omits one very important name — New Zealander Frank Worsley, "Shackleton’s captain". The epic journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia would not have been successful were it not for Worsley’s sailing and navigational skills. When debating the options open to the 28 men drifting on pack ice after the Endurance sank, Shackleton confessed that he had no expertise in small-boat sailing — there were some small boats on the Endeavour. Worsley is reported to have replied with a laugh, "All right Boss, I do", — he first learnt his sailing skills as a boy growing up in Akaroa.
Alberge is confused and incorrect when stating that "Shackleton travelled over a hideously dangerous stretch of the ocean in a whale-catcher obtained from Norwegian whalers". The party of six, including Worsley and Shackleton, did travel from Elephant Island to South Georgia — not the Falklands, another error by Alberge — a distance of over 1300km, but in the James Caird, one of four small boats on the Endeavour.
That they did reach South Georgia and then traverse the island to reach the Norwegian whaling base, is one of the great adventures and achievements of the early 20th century. From South Georgia the six men were repatriated to the Falklands and eventually the remaining 22 men still marooned on Elephant Island were rescued from the Falklands in a steam tug Yelcho .
It is a shame that in making a story about the previously unknown letters, Dalya Arberge has been less than accurate with the facts as well as ignoring the contribution of the real hero in this epic journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia – Frank Worsley.
Red Cross aided by DSO crowd
On behalf of New Zealand Red Cross, I wish to express our sincere thanks to all members of the public who made donations for the New Zealand Disaster Fund at the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra concert last Saturday. A total of $1134 was donated in a very short space of time. We are amazed at the generosity of people. Thank you for your concern for your fellow New Zealanders, and congratulations also to the DSO on a truly excellent and memorable evening of music.
Knit for victory
A frustrated farmer's son at Southland Boys' stood up and recently gave an impromptu speech about the fallen price of wool.
Like Jason and the Argonauts’ quest to find the golden fleece, politicians should help the price of wool.
New Zealand "the land of the long white cloud" once had wool as its best export above tourism.
Farmers pay more for sheep to be sheared than they get market price for wool. Once the price of wool was "a pound for a pound" (when the currency was pound sterling).
Now farmers only make money for meat from lamb and sheep.
Let's teach knitting.
Posie Parker
Let that appalling woman in.
Let her rant and rave and then she can leave.
The advantage of freedom of speech is that it makes it so much easier to spot the idiots.
They just can’t help themselves.
