paleonet the value of fossils

[apparent elk <kaplanp@xxxxxxxxx>]

 The answer was from a Paleo group President, who said "No commercial value,
 but of great scientific value. It may show something unique that no other
 fossil shows. Treat all fossils as valuable."

Indeed. In addition, we should do all we can to help the public understand
the many ways in which the fossil record adds meaning and happiness (in a 
J.S. Mill sense, perhaps) to our lives as humans: Yes, there is rarity in
fossil remains; but there are also discovery, understanding, imagination,
storytelling, and beauty (for example, Dolf Seilacher's "Fossil Art"
exhibit which toured some years ago) -- not to mention lots and lots of,
ahem, "raw data" (which itself leads via scientific progress to other forms
of human happiness).

Given that we will never be able to educate most of the public sufficiently
that they will comprehend the winding path from raw data to human 
happiness, it might be worth emphasizing from time to time these other
aspects of the "utility" of fossils in our daily lives...

 Peter A. Kaplan * Peter A. Kaplan * Peter A. Kaplan * Peter A. Kaplan
 * Ph. D. Candidate * Department of Geology * University of Michigan *

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