Re: Paleo21 - Avocational paleontologists

[Mike Everhart <mjever@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Michael,

You make several good points.... For what it's worth, I consider you to
be a paleontologist, however modest, and if you want to tack on the term
"avocational", that's all right, too.  

We all practice medicine to some extent......where's the line????

Along your line of reasoning, however, someboby is going to have to come
up with a reasonable, practical DEFINITION of what a paleontologist is
(and is not).....Do you have to have a PhD, or would 20 years working
with fossils suffice?  Do you have to be published, or do you just have
to have an understanding of what you are working with.  Do you work in a
museum or spend your time in the field??.....

Before we go sticking people into categories, we have to realize that
there are an unlimited number of situations out there that may not 'fit'
whatever definition is proposed, but shouldn't take away from someone's
stature in the field.......

Best of everything in your work,


Mike