[meteorite-list] Increased Interest in Meteorites

From: Anita Westlake <anitawestlake_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:58:37 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <805291.46309.qm_at_web83802.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>

Hi Ya'll:
  As President of the Meteorite Association of Georgia, I have seen a recent increase in interest in meteorites as witnessed by more people joining our group, more people coming to our individual lectures, etc.
  And yes, more uninformed but hopeful people swearing the rock they found in their back yard was not only hot to the touch when found, but is worth its weight in platinum.
  In order to fend off the nasty replies I get when I patiently explain why it's NOT a meteorite, I simply tell them this:
  "Thank you for contacting us. It is difficult to tell from the photo you provided, but it appears to me that you have found a piece of slag. I encourage you to send your photo and/or a piece of the specimen to those who can test the material with equipment I do not possess." Then, if they write back asking for places that do testing, I'll provide that info. As of today, no one has ever requested more information. I don't know if they were happy with my reply, or simply put my email in the round file.

Anita

--- On Mon, 3/22/10, Gary Fujihara <fujmon at mac.com> wrote:

> From: Gary Fujihara <fujmon at mac.com>
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22, 2010
> To: "Adam Hupe" <raremeteorites at yahoo.com>
> Cc: "Adam" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 1:11 PM
> I agree with you Adam.? As much
> as the Meteorite Men show has provided better awareness to
> meteorites in the general population, it has also spurred
> the conmen and get-rich-quick schemers.
>
> I think the show has been steered by producers to make it
> more appealing to viewers, but in doing so have placed far
> too much emphasis on monetary value and too little on
> scientific importance. This brings all the riffraff out of
> the woodwork and now we are beginning to see the negative
> effects this brings on our hobby/business/passion.? My
> 2?
>
> gary
>
> On Mar 22, 2010, at 6:59 AM, Adam Hupe wrote:
>
> > A lot of viewers are clinging to the hope they will
> become overnight millionaires. Most of them will not listen
> when you tell them their prized new "Moon rock" is a piece
> of quartz or their new "Pallasite" is nothing more then
> slag. They will become increasingly angry when you try to
> explain why. They know it is real because it looks just like
> the one they saw on TV and will not be told otherwise.
> >
> > I do not even respond any more as I do not like to be
> put in a position as the bay guy who has to break the news
> that their worthless rock will not make them the latest
> millionaire.? This is what happens when the media
> focuses too much on the monetary aspect of meteorite
> collecting. It out weighs any educational benefit this type
> of show may have? provided.? The state Washington
> and Oregon suddenly announced their no collecting policy on
> federal land; the timing is uncanny.? A lot of scam
> artists will also attach themselves if the smell of easy
> money is present.? One just has to look at the most
> expensive "meteorites" on eBay to see this effect.?
> Now, there is always a few fakes listed in the top dollar
> page.
> >
> > I would hate to see meteorite hunting/collecting go
> the way treasure hunting did 25 years ago when the avocation
> almost went extinct, mainly due to the press.?
> Professional? treasure hunters now avoid the press when
> values are put up. Just look at the Mel Fisher group who had
> to fight for a decade to keep a good portion of their major
> find due to the fact the press attached a billion dollar
> price tag to it.? Everybody seemed to have a claim on
> it when they didn't lift a finger to find it.? The
> press made it look easy when in fact Mel suffered many
> hardships including the loss of his sons life.
> >
> >
> > Best Regards,
> >
> > Adam
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: "michael at rocksfromspace.org"
> <michael at rocksfromspace.org>
> > To: "meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com"
> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> > Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 6:20:26 AM
> > Subject: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of
> the Day - March 22, 2010
> >
> > http:www.rocksfromspace.org/March_22_2010.html
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Thumbed On My BlackBerry
> > ______________________________________________
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>
> Gary Fujihara
> Big Kahuna Meteorites (IMCA#1693)
> 105 Puhili Place, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
> http://bigkahuna-meteorites.com/
> http://shop.ebay.com/fujmon/m.html?
> (808) 640-9161
>
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Received on Mon 22 Mar 2010 01:58:37 PM PDT