Get the facts on fracking Monday night

Two of the jobs that I’ve labored at since leaving the print edition of The Spokesman-Review have involved business. For a while, I taught business communication courses (mostly I focused on the communication part, not the business). And for the past couple of years, I have worked for an online business news organization that reports specifically on how government action (and, yes, inaction) affects business.

So I was particularly interested to learn that a business-themed movie will be playing at 7 p.m. Monday at the Magic Lantern. Titled “Gasland,” the film is a documentary look at the practice of hydraulic fracturing — or fracking — which involves, according to Wikipedia , the introduction of pressurized fluid into rock layers “to release petroleum, natural gas (including shale gas, tight gas and coal seam gas), or other substances for extraction.”

It’s a controversial process , one that critics say causes water and air pollution and even, in some cases, earthquakes. Proponents say the process allows oil producers to extract previous hard-to-reach energy reserves, providing new sources of oil, natural gas and the rest, all of which has obvious benefits to the economy.

In the “Gasland” publicity packet, the producers explain that “director Josh Fox learns from people who live near ‘fracking’ sites about illnesses, hair loss and flammable water. He travels the country plunging ever deeper into a web of secrets, lies, conspiracy, and contamination.”

The screening is a benefit for KYRS, Thin Air Community Radio . As always with such community presentations, a post-screening discussion will be held. For further information, call 747-3012.