Amateur geologists

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Heinz Hilbrecht and others have touched on the importance of amateurs to 
our science, and I would like to add this from the curator's viewpoint.  It 
is indeed very true that the keen amateur has made, and continues to make, 
an important contribution to our science.  This is most strongly manifested 
in the specimens that they bring to our notice.  It is an indistputable 
fact that the majority of our collections (with a few notable exceptions) 
here at the Natural History Museum in London have been donated by 
interested amateurs, and even today we are fortunate enough to recieve 
frequent donations from such individuals of unique and important specimens, 
which without their endeavours would probably never have seen the light of 
day.  I am sure the same is true for most museums worldwide.  

It is also worth remembering that amongst amateur palaeontologists are some 
of the leading authorities on certain fossil groups (I won't embarass 
anyone by naming names, but I'm sure we can all think of an example, indeed 
I know for a fact that some of them will be reading these words!).  Thus it 
is vital that we should foster good relationships with amateurs (and, as 
has been mentioned earlier the word amateur denotes a person who is not 
paid for his or her endeavours: the term should NEVER be used in a 
derogatory sense), and recognise the contribution they make to our science.

Sadly, however, there are some in the world of museums, in a policy-making 
position, who do not appreciate the importance of the enthusiastic 
amateur.  Indeed, it is even rumoured that it is a matter of policy in some 
institutions that enthusiastic amateurs are considered too few in number 
for their needs to be taken into account when redesigning exhibitions ...
Of course I'm sure this cannot be true, I certainly hope it isn't, but it 
is worrying that some institutions seem to be operating a system of reverse 
snobbery - catering for hoi polloi to the exclusion of all others.

Still, so far as Paleonet is concerned, enthusiastic amateurs are to be 
welcomed and encouraged.  As for the lunatic fringe, the best way to handle 
the occasional stray nutter is to ignore him, and eventually he'll lose 
interest and go away !
    ____________________________________________________________________
   / Paul Jeffery,          [Curator, non-cephalopod Mollusca]          \
   | Room PA205,  Department of Palaeontology,                          |
   | The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, U.K.   |
   |=====================|  MENE MENE TEKEL PERES  |====================|
   | Telephone: +44 (0)171 938 8793      Fax: +44 (0)171 938 9277       |
   | INTERNET:  paj@nhm.ac.uk                                           |
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