[meteorite-list] PA fall media hype

From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:34:05 -0400
Message-ID: <e51421550907101334s6966ba0te52fa66106f7f27e_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi Mike and List,

I agree on a couple of points here and disagree on a couple.

First, I don't think the Meteorite Men "hype" is bad for meteorites -
it raises awareness that meteorites exist. It never ceases to amaze
me how many seemingly-educated people have no clue what a meteorite
is. I mean, really, how can people not have the faintest idea what a
meteorite is? Then, when you explain the "shooting star" principle,
it dawns on them and you can see the recognition in their eyes - they
have no idea what the word *meteorite* means. It's staggering. I'm
talking grown adults with college educations and standing in the
community - with an utter lack of basic science. The Meteorite Men
show raises awareness and gets people of all ages curious about
meteorites - it might be responsible for a few of your recent eBay
sales. (perhaps) I've had people email me and ask me about the show
and I have nothing to do with it - they just assume that as a
collector and small-time dealer that I know about the show. That's not
a bad thing. Mike, do you honestly mean that if a television network
offered you a show about meteorites, that you would view that as a bad
thing? I've seen some veiled and not-so-veiled sour grapes directed
at Geoff and Steve for that show, and I think a part of it is
professional envy and rivalry. Whatever differences some people might
think they have with the Meteorite Men, I can honestly say that I have
never heard a bad word about Geoff or Steve from anyone in the
collector community. The only bad things I have heard on occasion
come from other dealers or hunters who are competing with them for
finds, sales and attention.

As an aspiring armchair hunter with dreams of one day doing what Mike
and the other hunters do, I understand there is good press and bad
press. I think all can agree that sensational stories about million
dollar meteorites and hoards of pushy hunters trampling over private
property is not good for the field of meteoritics or the hobby of
collecting meteorites.

I think it's a very good idea to make some kind of FAQ sheet for the
public and the press - to dispel common myths and educate the public
on what a freshly fallen meteorite looks like (and a weathered one for
that matter). Meteorites are becoming trendy - there are more and
more documentaries on the various cable networks that deal with
meteorites, asteroids, impacts, and related subjects. Seeing stories
in the media about meteorites is going to become a more common
occurrence - and the whole 2012 and Apophis events are going to fuel
that further. I think as collectors, dealers, hunters, and
scientists, we need to be proactive and make sure we get correct
information out there. If the sensationalists are going to be
prolific, then we need to be more prolific.

Best regards and clear skies,

MikeG


On 7/10/09, Michael Farmer <meteoriteguy at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> This is out of control, endless media hype by those seeking nothing but
> fame, and nothing about what the public should be looking for.
> After days of walking, I am sitting here in Tucson, playing with two week
> old meteorites, and resting my blister-covered feet and catching up on the
> last few days of emails.
> I am sickened by these stories, the backstabbing already in full swing out
> east. We don't want and by holding our cards to our chest, we don't have
> that problem out here. I hope everyone can see that now. Offers in papers
> about "paying more, and don't sell to greedy dealers on the ground, just
> call me" etc. Now you know why we don't want any help with our fall. We are
> working together, and finding stones.
>
> I speak for myself here, so any crap needs come to me, as my teammates and
> friends are in the field right now, but work must be done since I am at home
> and I am taking today to recuperate.
>
> This endless media blitz over "Meteorite-Men" is getting old. Every email,
> every eBay auction, every mention of some people to throw that quip in. How
> long must we endure this hype? Come on, just get out there and work, your
> fame is worth about $1.00 in the field. Walking, blisters, sunburns, that
> will find meteorites, not talking about your show.
> In NONE of those articles is there a peep that locals in that area need to
> get out and walk the streets, look for black burned stones, check the lawn,
> parking lots, parks..... Why not? Tell people what to do, not the prices per
> gram, it has to be found to be sold.
> If this PA stone is found, it won't be with the pictures but by a person
> mowing their lawn, or driving down the road. Focus on the hunt, use the
> locals and this can be found, keep hyping yourselves and it is just
> publicity, and the meteorite will be lost.
> Sad.
> Michael Farmer
>
>
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-- 
.........................................................
Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)
Member of the Meteoritical Society.
Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.
Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com
..........................................................

Received on Fri 10 Jul 2009 04:34:05 PM PDT