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"SBQ – Why One Geologist Thinks We Should All Pay More Attention to Rocks"
🗓️ Published: June 25, 2025
✍️ Words by Daphne Chouliaraki Milner
📸 Photographs by Durimel
🧭 Overview
This article profiles a passionate geologist who argues that rocks — often ignored or seen as mundane — are essential to understanding the Earth's past, present, and future. The story is not just about geology, but about how deeply our lives are connected to the Earth’s deep time and mineral history.
🔍 Key Themes and Ideas
1. Rocks as Timekeepers
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Rocks are described as “books of time”, preserving the story of Earth over billions of years.
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By studying them, geologists can track climate changes, tectonic shifts, volcanic eruptions, and the emergence of life.
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The geologist emphasizes how rocks offer clues about the Anthropocene — the human-driven era of planetary change.
2. Modern Relevance
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From critical minerals used in smartphones to the carbon trapped in sedimentary layers, rocks directly influence today’s technology and climate solutions.
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Understanding rocks is essential to issues like:
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Climate change
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Resource extraction
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Natural disaster prediction
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3. Spiritual and Philosophical Value
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The geologist encourages people to see rocks not just as objects but as witnesses to time, urging a shift in how we relate to the natural world.
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The idea is that slowing down to notice the earth beneath our feet can reconnect us with something more ancient and grounding.
4. Colonial Histories and Extraction
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The article also reflects on how rock knowledge has been used historically for imperial extraction, and why decolonizing geology is a necessary part of moving forward ethically.
📷 Visuals by Durimel
The photographs pair minimalist, contemplative portraits of rocky landscapes with images of the geologist at work — evoking the stillness and endurance of stone.
🪨 Why It Matters
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The geologist calls for a broader cultural shift: to see rocks not as inanimate things, but as active players in Earth’s systems.
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By paying more attention to rocks, we might:
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Rethink how we consume resources
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Become more attuned to environmental risks
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Rediscover a sense of awe for the ancient Earth
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Would you like a short essay or a creative response (like a poem or visual concept) inspired by the article?
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