我们说什么?我们对谁去说?——在美国地理学家协会1987年年会上的讲话

What Shall We Say? To Whom Shall We Speak?

地理学家的演讲与他们运用文字、图象所作的交流同样值得重视.美国的地理学可以通过下述途径得到加强,即围绕地点、地区和全球联系发展实质性演讲,促进自然地理的发展,恢复地理生态的传统.地理信息系统(geographic information systems)对于完成上述任务,对于改进地理学科以满足不断出现的需要,将是一个非常有用的工具.如果我们能够避免自己拆自己的台,避免不现实的空想,避免玩弄语言技巧,而是坚持在大学里进行高质量的教学,并在教师和从事地理实践工作的人员之间开展学术交流,那么地理学将会变得更加有效.我们有一个前所未有的机会来帮助改进美国的中小学地理教育.

What geographers say deserves as much attention as their written and graphic communications.American geography can be strengthened by substantive discourse that stresses places,regions,and global interconnections;by pro-moting physical geography;and by reviving geography's ecological tradition.Geographic information systems will be valuable tools for accomplishing those tasks and for reshaping the discipline to meet emerging needs.Geography's effectiveness will be augmented if we avoid self-defeating,unrealistic,and stultifying rhetoric;if we maintain a commitment to excellence in college and university teaching;and if we foster collegial discourse between those who profess and those who practice geography.We have an unprecedented opportunity to help improve geography in America's elementary and secondary schools.