In his recent book, The Myth of Solid Ground, David Ulin looks at what earthquakes might mean, from a cultural standpoint -- including what scientific, or pseudo-scientific, techniques now hope to predict future seismic catastrophe.
"While researching the book, Ulin joked 'that I would either learn enough about earthquakes to stay comfortably in California or so much that I'd have to move away. As it happens, I came to the former conclusion.'
...But the one thing I did find reinforced almost everywhere was the limitation of official science â€" of pragmatic science â€" to encompass large theoretical areas. I think there has been a failure of imagination on behalf of seismologists â€" and geologists in general â€" in terms of how they approach the subject of earthquakes. That’s probably because of the failure of prediction to pan out in the 1980s, for instance, when prediction was a big thing â€" they really thought this was going to be possible. Millions of dollars were spent, papers were written, careers were staked â€" but it failed to pan out. I think they got scared and, basically, retrenched. Earthquake prediction became the kiss of death."
Thanks to Archinect Weekly
FULL STORY: The Myth of Solid Ground
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