tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post2182944817574051142..comments2023-09-05T13:36:07.191-06:00Comments on Dinochick Blogs: Amateur!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post-66567526852507041622009-03-11T23:22:00.000-06:002009-03-11T23:22:00.000-06:00Maybe if we stop making it a negative thing it cou...Maybe if we stop making it a negative thing it could become a positive.ReBecca Hunt-Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05531577104733601336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post-5927364148863448022009-03-11T23:10:00.000-06:002009-03-11T23:10:00.000-06:00Colloquial language evolves beyond dictionary defi...Colloquial language evolves beyond dictionary definitions. For the most part, amateur is associated to "being not that good" in the current colloquial language. That's why amateur has a negative connotation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post-57190809545762467462009-02-20T16:03:00.000-07:002009-02-20T16:03:00.000-07:00Good for you MDR!Good for you MDR!ReBecca Hunt-Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05531577104733601336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post-26564208367318737932009-02-20T15:55:00.000-07:002009-02-20T15:55:00.000-07:00I work in the paleo exhibits at a Midwest museum, ...I work in the paleo exhibits at a Midwest museum, and often share my knowledge of the science and hand out fossils I've collected (invertebrate) with visitors. Many times I've been asked if I'm a paleontologist and I have no problem answering that I'm an amateur paleontologist. I have been all my life. Of course, I don't have the credentials but what difference does it make? I contribute in disseminating the science to the general public which rarely knows as much as I do (except for some 7 year-old kids). I have plenty information and enthusiasm for the science to offer and I know my limits. One of my heroes in early paleontology is William Reed who discovered Como Bluffs and became a well-respected (and knowledgeable) self-taught paleontologist. Maybe he saw the bone game as more lucrative (and less boring) than working for the Union Pacific railroad but he added much to the science (and probably to Marsh's reputation).MDRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00195396863494843533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post-38080713204819864832009-02-20T12:52:00.000-07:002009-02-20T12:52:00.000-07:00Hi Chuck,I do not think in the bills current form ...Hi Chuck,<BR/>I do not think in the bills current form it can be changed to add that. If it does not get though the House its next incarnation could potentially include something like that. But with the current lobbying and push of "clean coal" I doubt we will ever see it happen. <BR/><BR/>Hi Alton, <BR/>I agree with you regarding the list. I forget that may of the lands out east are private. I live out here in BLM land, so we are use to dealing with them. I, like you, will only work with specimens in museum collections. I think it is the safest way to roll. We have some great people out here who donate specimens to the museum and/or notify us when they find something. Even our vet called us when he and his son found some dino bones. It is nice to have people who want to help and not do things for their monetary gain only. <BR/><BR/>Hi Jim,<BR/><BR/>I think the whole label things is silly anyway. I do not think the definition of the word amateur will change unless we all start using it in a positive tone. Maybe I will try that ;)<BR/>I know how you feel about the list. I often wonder why I bother to say anything at all.ReBecca Hunt-Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05531577104733601336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post-58185636472948148082009-02-20T10:13:00.000-07:002009-02-20T10:13:00.000-07:00I personally consider myself a "Professional" beca...I personally consider myself a "Professional" because even though I do not make a living as a paleontologist at the moment (although I do have it in my job profile email signature thingy) I do have the training and do volunteer work whenever I can. The connotation of the word "amateur" makes people feel like they don't know what they are doing (i.e. amateurish). Although I think that the word should denote one who loves paleontology but just does not have the training/ education. I see nothing wrong with that. And I personally did not participate in the debate because I noticed it can very quickly degrade into name calling and I sometimes feel like my opinions are generally ignored. But that’s just me, and I am a rather paranoid person to being with.Jim L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08680478888594299616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post-9016958992582691722009-02-20T09:44:00.000-07:002009-02-20T09:44:00.000-07:00I've also been reading but avoiding commenting on ...I've also been reading but avoiding commenting on the argument ("debate" is too dignified) on the listserv.<BR/><BR/>The act itself has little effect on us here in the east, as most VP deposits are on private land anyway (although it will have a bearing on the site I'm working in WY). But considering the number of specimens I have seen vandalized, I'm happy to see any strengthening of protections for fossils on public lands (and specifically not private lands).<BR/><BR/>However, there are large numbers of "amateur" paleontologists in Virginia and Maryland, and they're very diverse in their habits and motivations (as are we all). Most collect legally (ie with the landowner's permission), and many are "collectors", in that they have only a limited interest in the science and are looking for "cool-looking" specimens.<BR/><BR/>However, there are many that are interested in the science. I've had some interesting conversations with these folks about the status of privately-owned specimens. My personal standard is that I will not publish or even refer to any specimens that are not in a museum. I tell these folks that I don't have a problem with legally-obtained private collections, so if they want a bone on their mantlepiece that's fine. But you can't have it both ways; if you want the credit for the discovery among the scientific community, you have to give up the specimen so that anyone can study it.<BR/><BR/>The result has been a group of dedicated amateurs that explore for fossils, negotiate with landowners for permission to excavate, help in collection, and make sure that the important specimens they find get to museums. They're making a major contribution to VP in this area as a result.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7578322515370564452.post-71673255288572563382009-02-20T03:46:00.000-07:002009-02-20T03:46:00.000-07:00Any way this bill can be expanded to protect coal ...Any way this bill can be expanded to protect coal beds from being dug up and destroyed?C W Mageehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09706100504739548720noreply@blogger.com