In fact, I think several people like this blog!

Why do we insist on projecting a hierarchy onto the sciences?  And when we do it, does it say more about the sciences or about ourselves?

I am writing about the Dolomites, and specifically a region known as Südtirol or Alto Adige.  This is an autonomous province within Italy, and is different in many ways from other parts of Italy. This post is not about Italy as a whole.  The history of the Südtirol, like many sections of the Alps, is complex and more than worthy of its own post. If you were wondering about the intricacies of life in Europe’s most famous mountains, this is the place for you.

To say I was excited to visit the Alps as a geologist would be an understatement. The Alps are, without a doubt, the site of the oldest geologic investigations in the world thanks to their fortuitous location in Western Europe. Modern geologic theory about how mountain-building works was formulated in the Alps, thanks to the large amount of scientists in the area and the mountains’ relative accessibility thanks to centuries of occupation in almost every valley.  I visited the Alps before I became a geologist, and was captivated by the terrain I saw even if I couldn't articulate why.  As I returned a trained geologist (with a lot to learn), I got so much more out of my time in the Alps.

Important disclaimer: Similar to my Norwegian history post, this post is not aimed at distilling the incredibly long history of Sweden into one easy-to-read narrative. I'm good, but I'm not that good, and I would do an excellent country a disservice. That's not what I'm here for!

First item of note: Swedish geology is very different from Norwegian, and it is reflected in the geography of the neighboring country. Intrepid geologists should be aware of this, and respectful travelers should perhaps note this as a reason why these two countries are separate, very different entities. 

Let's talk about astronauts, and why I want to be one. 

Norway’s vast mountain ranges are not simply a geographical feature. They affect how people make a livelihood, and how they connect with one another.  The presence of mountains doesn't just mean an overabundance of natural beauty - it means that if people want to live in Norway, they also have to deal with the difficulties that come with being near mountains. Let's talk about it!