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Funny, I have suffered the same circumstances. I don't mind being
considered a "resource" as long as I am treated with respect and my
efforts and contributions are appreciated. I can't stand these people
who think that I should be honored just to be in their presence.
Unfortunately, you can not police arrogance, and there is plenty of it
in the field.
On the other hand, I have met some great people and have become good
friends with many. It is the same as in life, you take the good with the
bad. It just leaves a rotten taste in your mouth when you are investing
your time, money, etc. and hit the bad. Solution: Find people who you
enjoy working with and stick with them.
I have no desire to be called a paleontologist, that is not my field.
If I watch "Wings" and am interested in aircraft am I a pilot? You could
call me that, but I wouldn't get on the plane if I were you.
I guess it is all in how you look at the word amateur. Webster's
(yes, I looked it up) first definition is "a person who engages in some
science, sport, etc. for the pleasure of it rather than for money. That
is exactly what I have been doing for the last 20 years. I also like
this definition because it separates me from commercialists. Webster
also says, "a nonprofessional" this does not mean "unprofessional." The
second definition says something about "without professional skill" and
I don't see it applying to myself, or the others I have worked with who
were volunteering. It takes a special person to give up so much, with
nothing to gain but the pleasure of helping to further the science.
We've been called amatuers for so long, changing the nomenclature now
would just cause confusion.
bpettit wrote:
>
> 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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