Key: The background colors that the quotes are displayed upon correspond to particular themes in Antarctic rhetoric. More than one theme may be present in a quote, and therefore an individual quote may Why are Changes to Antarctic Rhetoric important? Antarctica means different things to different people, which is understandable given that each person who goes there has their own individual experience. Given the enormity of possible ways of framing Antarctica as a place, why should we try to create classifications and look for domi- Jason Davis nance? The reason is because dominant perceptions of Antarctica have helped to define how its governance should operate and its acceptance of certain laws. In particular, changes to the popular conception of the Antarctic continent have lead to large impacts in its laws. An example of this Data Sources: Scientific Theme would be the demise of the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities through the widespread promotion of a “World Park” conception of Antarctic identity, and subsequent adoption of a temporary mining ban in the Madrid Environmental Protocol of 1991 because The Complete National Geo- of it (Clark 1994). There are a number of ways to classify the way that people talk about the Antarctic. Val Kirby and his group have pursued studies of how individuals perceive “Antarctic Heritage” through a variety of what they call “filters and kaleidoscopes”, resulting in a fourfold typology: National/ International Theme The Ohio State University an Emotional Version, a Cultural Version, a Natural and Cultural Version, and a Global Version (Kirby et al. 2001), Klaus Dodds used critical geopolitics to classify geographical representations of Antarctica into five eras: Antarctica as a partially filled space (1900-40), Antarctica and the Cold graphic (1888—1997) and Na- Department of Geography War (1945-60), Antarctica as a place for science (1960s), Antarctica as a place of resource potential (1970-80s), and Antarctica and the global environmental challenge (1990s) (Dodds 1997). I have combined elements of both of these typologies here to examine six general themes: science, na- tional Geographic Maps on CD- tional/international politics, economic/ exploitative approaches, environmental approaches, aggressive approaches, and emotional resonances. In this poster, I offer an examination of changes to United States citizen’s perceptions of Antarctica through the shifting rhetoric displayed within the arti- Environmental Theme ROM were utilized. Databases 1036 Derby Hall cles of the National Geographic Magazine . were searched for articles/ maps Economic/ Exploitative Theme 154 North Oval Drive Searching the databases of the Complete National Geographic (1888-1997) and National Geographic Maps on CD-ROM turned up four maps and 119 articles. I have included each of the four maps below, along with a recently-published fifth one. I also read through all 119 articles that were offered and selected a wide array of quotes that referred to Antarctica in some way. I then returned to these quotes and classified them according to the dominant theme within them. Some quotes incorporated more than one theme. I then chose a number of quotes from each decade to dis- with the key- Columbus, OH 43201, U.S.A. play in chronological order along a timeline and color-coded the themes, so that the viewer might draw their own conclusions of patterns or changes to those themes through time. I have tried to encapsulate the complexity of ideas involved with Antarctic rhetoric within the National Geographic word Antarctica Conquering/ Overcoming Theme th Magazine throughout the 20 Century. In general, I have found that while certain ideas rise and fall in popularity, most find antecedents in the past. This indicates that history is an important component of contemporary Antarctic identity, even if it is not always acknowledged. using their Personal/ Emotional Theme Bibliography: search engines. Clark, Margaret L. 1994. “The Antarctic Environmental Protocol: NGOs in the Protection of Antarctica,” in Environmental NGOs in World Politics . By Thomas Princen & Matthias Finger. New York, Routledge : pp.160-185. Dodds, Klaus. 1997. Geopolitics in Antarctica: Views from the Southern Oceanic Rim . New York, John Wiley & Sons. Kirby, Val G., Emma J. Stewart & Gary D. Steel. 2001. “Thinking about Antarctic Heritage: kaleidoscopes and filters.” Landscape Research 26 (3) pp. 189–202. "The"The twotwo shipsships sailsail fromfrom EuropeEurope together.together. TheThe "[At the South Pole] I dropped a cardboard "The primary object of the expedition would be “Every hidden spot of the earth's surface "Other countries hold "Testing for organic carbon "Font of scientific information, Antarctica "And most of all, as I see it, we officialofficial statementstatement ofof theirtheir planplan ofof cooperationcooperation "In many of its haunts the species [Sea- box containing the multicolored little flags of present in these seas, therefore, is Why use National Geo- to plant the Stars and Stripes at the South Pole, remains a challenge to man's will and similar beachheads, for also breeds goodwill. Formal protocol and had established beyond a doubt "The fifth largest continent is a giant outdoor isis asas follows:follows: "When"When theythey reachreach thethe farfar SouthSouth Elephant] was soon exterminated, and, al- the United Nations. The symbolism should be a vital step towards their use. Some- graphic? but for those who seek a different motive, it ingenuity until it has been conquered. this is a great interna- international boundaries do not exist; men the validity - in terms of flexibility laboratory where scientists strive to decipher theythey willwill separateseparate withwith aa carefullycarefully arrangedarranged though at South Georgia it still persists, its obvious- the dedication of this goal of so much should be explained that every mile made from Every conquest of such a difficult goal tional effort. Eleven day, a world of vanishing resources freely visit stations of other countries. Such and low costs - of private, non- clues to our planet's history and detect early planplan ofof workwork forfor each.each. TheThe AntarcticAntarctic regionsregions days are numbered unless absolute protection selfless heroism of the Norwegians and the National Geographic Coats Land to the pole would be over unpene- adds permanently to mankind's sense of nations are joining may turn to this area for food." was the tone and hope of the Antarctic governmental research efforts. After all, the warning signs of global pollution." Magazine is the main me- havehave beenbeen divideddivided intointo fourfour quadrants.quadrants. First,First, be soon enforced." British to the ideal of brotherhood among peo- forces in the biggest Treaty, in which all signers agreed to forgo future of the Antarctic probably lies in joint trated and unknown regions. This section is power and security. Great explorers, McDonald, Edwin A. “Exploring Antarc- Hodgson, Bryan. “Antarctica: A Land of Isola- dium through which the thethe VictoriaVictoria Quadrant,Quadrant, whichwhich extendsextends fromfrom 9090 ples." probably the least known in the Antarctic area. Murphy, Robert C. “South Georgia, an Outpost therefore, do not merely add to the sum assault ever made on tica's Phantom Coast,” National Geo- territorial claims to the continent for at least administration by governments in alliance public of the United States degreesdegrees easteast toto 180180 degrees,degrees, andand includesincludes Vic-Vic- tion No More,” National Geographic 4/1990, p.3. ... All explorations in this region would be abso- of the Antarctic,” National Geographic 4/1922, of human knowledge, but also they add Byrd, Richard E. “Our Navy Explores Antarc- the secrets of the white graphic 2/1962, p.261. 30 years." with big business. It seems vitally important receives information about toriatoria Land;Land; second,second, thethe RossRoss quadrant,quadrant, fromfrom lutely new discoveries and would benefit geol- p.416. immensely to the sum of human inspira- tica,” National Geographic 10/1947, p.463-64. continent… This major Matthews, Samuel W. “Antarctica's Nearer that people who are not employees of either "The diversity and extent of Antarctica's mineral places which may be con- 180180 degreesdegrees toto 9090 degreesdegrees west,west, southsouth ofof thethe campaign is being waged in be- "Scientific activities continued 24 hours a day. should gain the experience to be able to speak ogy, zoology, and all kindred sciences." tion." Here has been set up by Nature herself a titanic Side,” National Geographic 11/1971, p.648. wealth remains largely undetermined, although sidered exotic to their eve- PacificPacific Ocean;Ocean; third,third, thethe WeddellWeddell quadrant,quadrant, half of science, but it is using many of Though our hardworking men had no way of authoritatively and independently on behalf of Grosvenor, Gilbert H. “The South Polar Expe- Grosvenor, Gilbert H.; Hoover, Herbert. physical, chemical, and biological laboratory extensive coal deposits are known to exist. But ryday experience. The Ant- fromfrom 9090 degreesdegrees westwest toto 00 degreedegree {Greenwich{Greenwich "Soon after the outbreak of the World War the Brit- war's tools- ships, planes, and ponderous knowing it, they were setting a record in polar this wilderness continent (which, larger than dition,” National Geographic 2/1910, p.170. “Admiral Byrd Receives New Honor where phenomena impossible of duplication