re: discussions regarding taphonomy (posted for A. Walton)

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Date
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Date: Thu, 31 Aug 1995 11:58:23 -0500
From: "Anne H. Walton" <awalton@tam2000.tamu.edu>
To: paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk
Subject: re: discussions regarding taphonomy
Status: O


On Wed, 30 Aug 1995, David Kohls wrote:

>                           ... I would post to the list myself but I feel
> that since I am an amateur collector of Eocene compression fossils, other
> list-members would not be eager to respond. So, I wonder, do you have any
> advice for how a discussion about this topic might be initiated?

I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm sorry relations between
professional and amateur paleontologists are so uncomfortable that you
would hesitate to bring up a topic for this discussion list that is
serious and perfectly appropriate for this forum.  Paleontology is
popular; paleontology attracts hobbyists; paleontology is associated
with dilettantism in the eyes of "real" scientists.  As a consequence, many
paleontologists become defensive of their science, to the extent that
they cultivate a certain snobbishness towards amateurs and try to
distance themselves as much as possible from the popular appeal of the
field.  But its' a shame.  The field thrives on enthusiasm.  The
fossils come to light and the science advances when professionals and
amateurs cooperate.

So keep asking the questions.  If some of our colleagues are on the
crabby side, well, we're all human.

Anne Walton
Member, Houston Gem & Mineral Society
NSF-Sloan Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular Evolution
Texas A&M University