Colonization of nature in the Soviet Union: state ideology, public discourse, and the experience of geologists

Abstract

This article combines two perspectives on the history of geology in the Soviet Union. Soviet policy not only transformed the geological profession from a marginal group of intellectuals into a booming field of applied sci ence. State ideology also celebrated the geologists' coloni zation of nature, putting them on a par with cosmonauts and pilots. The hegemonic discourse defined nature as meaning less unless it was exploited for human needs. However, the geologists' everyday experiences looked remarkably differ ent. During month-long stays in the natural environment, the official doctrine gave way to other perspectives: hard ships and starvation, unexpected encounters with men and beasts, and the quest for discoveries in spite of all difficul ties. Geologists also enjoyed nature as visual harmony, and even found a small corner of freedom in nature as the "taiga laws" of behavior, friendship, and hospitality made for an honest atmosphere around the campfire. For Soviet geolo gists, nature was not simply the "house of treasures" that of ficial rhetoric cherished but also an archipelago of freedom. Address all communications to Alia Bolotova, European University at St. Petersburg, Centre for Independent Social Research, P.O.B. 193, StPetersburg, 191040, Russia. E-mail: xnu@pochta.ru. For comments on draft versions and stimulating discussion, thanks to Tatiana Saphonova, Frank Uekoetter, Dmitry Vorobyev, Verena Winiwarter and Bernhard Wieser.