RE: paleonet suitable discussion

["Jere H. Lipps" <jlipps@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know you are right, because the talk about vertebrates, most inverts, email requests, equipment, etc, are not what I want to read either.   But it is all part of being a community.  Each of us have different opinions of what's important, and I don't complain about those emails I don't want (delete!!) because every so often, one comes in that is good or useful.   Creationism impacts a large number of subscribers to the list, so let it go.   I've grown bored with the topic myself because we have not hit on what to do about it.  I'm mostly deleting them now, but I liked the IMAX business model discussion and I'm glad I have not unsubscribed.    I like being part of the party, even when the chit chat gets to be too much for me.

Cultural issues anywhere in the world that impact paleontology should be welcome discussion, I'd think, since we don't really work in a vacuum (although some have said academia and musty museums are just that!).

At 06:20 PM 3/28/2005, you wrote:

The point is that this list is intended for scientific communication among paleontologists.  That function is negatively affected by having so many e-mails that are off topic and not wanted by the original list members. 

S.H.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk [mailto:paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Tony D'Agostino
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 4:11 PM
To: PaleoNet List Address
Subject: paleonet suitable discussion

 

Hi All,

 

I must throw in my lot with Dr. Bengston in regards to what's appropriate for PaleoNet and what's not. It seems to me that when there's a hot-button topic, such as the current explosion of Evolution/ID messages, PaleoNet achieves its true potential. Well-informed experts get to air their thoughts, opinions, observations, interpretations, and facts on an issue that impacts millions. That strikes me as significant and very appropriate.

 

When PaleoNet is in slow patch (the norm) I see perhaps one or two messages per day. They're of narrow focus and limited value, although the once lost but now found colleague may not view it so. The rest of us that do not know the lost soul, or aren't interested in obscure literature, aren't exactly stimulated by the exchange. Nonetheless these messages are valued by all since they add to our sense of community. The current flurry may produce 10-20 messages per day? Certainly not an overwhelming number. I'd rather browse a dozen messages about evolution, from my esteemed colleagues on the PaleoNet, then an endless stream of spam.

 

When a social-political movement like creationism/ID arises that can threaten the very existence of our science, not to mention our careers/specialties, we need to wield every tool, take advantage of every avenue of communication, and promote every effort to counter this insiduous philosophy. It doesn't stop with stickers in a textbook folks. The logical conclusion/goal of the Creationist camp is the elimination of whole realms of heretical study, and you can bet your soft-tissue that paleontology would be one of the first to be eliminated!

 

 

Tony D'Agostino

20746 Prince Creek Drive

Katy, Tx. 77450

281-646-1660 adagostino@houston.rr.com

 

"The limits of a tyrant are determined by the endurance of those that oppose him" Frederick Douglass