Filling the void

Building Eden on the spoils of mining

Featured in

  • Published 20230502
  • ISBN: 978-1-922212-83-2
  • Extent: 264pp
  • Paperback (234 x 153mm), eBook

In the Book of Genesis, the river passing through Eden divides in four after watering the garden. One branch winds through Havilah, a land in which gold is to be found, of exceptional purity. 

On a Christian message board, one believer is convinced they have triangulated the co-­ordinates of the gold near Eden, urging others to join them in a lucrative extractive opportunity. ‘Well I believe I have found it,’ they write. ‘No mines have been started in the area. I need geologists.’

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

If you are an educator or student wishing to access content for study purposes please contact us at griffithreview@griffith.edu.au

Share article

About the author

Connor Tomas O’Brien

Connor Tomas O’Brien teaches in the Professional Writing and Editing program at RMIT University and runs a design studio for environmental organisations and non-­profits.

More from this edition

The transhuman era

Non-fictionThe story of the transhuman era has much in common with the creation myths of old – and with religious tales of transcendence. It heralds the emergence of a powerful – omniscient, omnipresent – force (AI) possessing intelligence that far exceeds our own. And lends itself to stories that play off destruction against what you could term ‘salvation’, in the form of digital immortality.

On the right track

Non-fictionWhen the National Cultural Policy was released, the Albanese government stated their commitment to developing legislation to protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. At last there will be a legal framework which can not only protect Indigenous peoples’ rights, but also set the pathway for better sharing of culture and greater respect for Indigenous cultures as the oldest living cultures in the world.

Have you ever seen the rain?

FictionOne by one the streets quietened down. A great hush washed over this city. Even the lights at night seemed dimmer. All of life lay dormant. Or maybe not – Toru couldn’t trust his eyes, could he? He had been living on the streets in the clothes he died in, scrounging food from tables outside restaurants and cafés around the city, but those tables were long gone.

Stay up to date with the latest, news, articles and special offers from Griffith Review.