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Much of this list, and the "Dinosaur list" is very concerned about nomenclature. Who is or is not a paleontolgist is very important and generates a lot of heat. To give another side of the issue, I do not share their concern. I'm an engineer, or manager but not a paleontologist. It is a fascinating subject for me. I go on the digs to help and to learn. My return on investment (of money and time) is new knowledge. If I am treated as a contributor, and learn something, it's been a great trip. Where I have been disappointed has been with professionals who are too busy to talk, see the volunteers as gophers to do the dirty work. They think of the amateurs as simple workman, not worthy of any effort at politeness. My experience is limited. These people are definately rare, but they do sour your enthusiasm. Another area that has bothered me is not being able to access library material because I'm not a member of that particular discipline. The case in question, I was enrolled and taking courses in computer science at the university. But the paleontology library was off limits, because I wasn't enrolled in the Geological Sciences. Now there is a certain logic here: Material is limited, full time students have to have priority on access. Obviously, they have to come first and so do research programs. But total denial of access is not reasonable either. I'm not a paleontologist, not hung up on what you call me. But I would like to read what is published in the field. Is that so unreasonable? I go to a dig, pay all my own expences, use my vacation time, perform heavy manual labor in hot and dirty conditions. And the paleontologists at the dig won't even talk to me because I'm not a "professional". That's life. Bitching ain't going to change it. But the return on my time and money is zip. So the next year I'm off digging on some ruins with the archeologists. Get more knowledge, treated like my contributions help. And they're usually close to an ocean so I can diving! When somebody tells me of all the years of study and sacrafice to enter their profession, I have empathy for them. Many of us did the same in other fields. Been there, done that, got the Tee shirt. Where I draw the line is how I'm treated, not what I'm called. Participating can be a blast. The right approach and I'll move mountains - literally. All I want in return is a chance to learn something, talk about mutual interests. There is a dearth of paleontology enthusiasts outside of academia. It gets lonely out here. Billy
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