paleonet Burgess

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I have been following this thread with considerable interest and quite a lot of amusement - and with a bit of frustration because I appeared to be not properly subscribed and so I couldn't post anything. As a result of the latter problem I mailed directly to Mr. Pristis. He clearly read and reflected upon what I had to say and made some further interesting comments. I don't think he is an outsider by any means - his response to me says "'...paleontologist by avocation" (or something like that.)

Let me offer a comment about the general degeneration in the tone of this discussion and place it into the context of previous discussions concerning very important issues like Creationism. Dr. Lipps and others have pleaded with us to take the trouble to communicate. He and others have pointed out that we are own worst enemies when it comes to communication, PR, [and, by extension the use of arrogant, sarcastic and snotty communication] with "outsiders".

I suggest that we reflect on just how we appear to someone (plus other silent observers, no doubt) when we engage in the sort of waspish, VERY snotty, and I-only-bother-to-be-civil-to-fellow-paleontological Lowells and Cabots discourse of this thread.

Seems to me Pristis was asking a valid question about "our" value system. Of course it is frustrating that this bloke doesn't subscribe to our views of value and tragedy. But at least he makes us think about how and to what effect we communicate our values. Perhaps the unconfined use of hyperbole is not always the best vehicle. Perhaps it sets the teeth of non-insiders on edge. We should be concerned about that because we need all the friends we can get!

And now a mea culpa: I tried to post a sarcastic response when I read Mr. Pristis' first e-mail. Made me feel very clever and very sophisticated! I doubt it would have done much for our discipline, however. Thus, I am glad that my then lack of subscription to this list gave me time to reflect and think.

As I told Mr. Pristis I intend to use this whole thread in my paleo class - as a little sidebar to show the style and impact of science. I'm not sure we paleontologists will come out of this with an entirely rosy glow. How sad.

Chris Baldwin

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