[meteorite-list] Responsibility Over Ratings

[wahlperry at aol.com]

Hi Mike,
>If I had a dollar for every email Ihave gotten from someone claiming 
to have found a CM2 like Sonny's,I'd be a millionaire - and as Adam can 
testify, most of these peopledon't want to hear the truth - that their 
rock is not a meteorite andthey have a >better chance of hitting the 
powerball lottery than theydo of finding a CM2.


It is a CM1, CM2 are easy to find  :)

Thanks,
Sonny


-----Original Message-----
From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike at gmail.com>
To: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites at yahoo.com>
Cc: Adam <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Thu, Jun 24, 2010 12:25 pm
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Responsibility Over Ratings


Hi Adam,Well said.  I've said from day one when Meteorite Men hit the 
airwaves- I like the show, but I hate the emphasis on dollar amounts.  
Anytime you tell the world that something is worth a lot of money, 
itbrings out the worst in people.  If I had a dollar for every email 
Ihave gotten from someone claiming to have found a CM2 like Sonny's,I'd 
be a millionaire - and as Adam can testify, most of these peopledon't 
want to hear the truth - that their rock is not a meteorite andthey 
have a better chance of hitting the powerball lottery than theydo of 
finding a CM2.About treasure-hunting -According to what I have heard 
and read, metal detecting is illegal onpublic lands in Florida now.The 
last dozen times I have been to the beach, I have seen too manymetal 
detectors to count.  So either the law is not being enforced, orI heard 
wrong.  Some of these prospectors were operating within easysight of 
law enforcement and law enforcement didn't seem to notice orcare.I have 
also heard that collecting arrowheads is illegal - againthough, don't 
tell the locals that, because very local down here whoprospects also 
has a drawer full of arrowheads.Best regards,MikeGOn 6/24/10, Adam Hupe 
<raremeteorites at yahoo.com> wrote:> Dear List Members,>> I think that it 
is everybody responsibility to handle the media in a way> that does not 
adversely affect this great avocation.  I call it> "responsibility over 
ratings."  I have stated many times what is good for TV> ratings may 
not be good for the hobby. I do not like the idea of some> 
self-appointed spokesperson representing my favorite pursuit in the 
media> but will have to live with it.>> I have been an amateur treasure 
hunter since 1975 and have seen my second> favorite pursuit destroyed 
in a matter of a single decade, mainly by the> press and people who do 
not know what they are talking about.  The problems> showed up soon 
after Mel Fisher's success. The press threw around inflated> values of 
over one billion dollars and the next thing you know, over a dozen> 
entities tried to claim his and his investors treasure without so much 
as> lifting a finger to find it. He eventually settled with the state 
of> Florida, mainly to get them off of his back. By doing this, he made 
it> possible for all other states to make similar claims.>> The press 
created great interest in treasure hunting, everybody wanting to> find 
something.  Metal detectors flew off of shelves.  People who had no> 
interest in treasure hunting before began to dig holes everywhere, even 
on> national heritage sites.  They left trash behind and midnight 
gardened every> opportunity they had. This made legitimate and 
respectful hunters pay the> price as one by one search sites become off 
limits.   Almost all treasure> hunters were considered bad and were 
rarely permitted to even search private> property.  What started out as 
exciting turned ugly as the press continued> to report only bad news 
which for some reason, generates higher ratings than> good news.>> 
People who see dollars signs instead of meteorites can and will do a 
lot of> damage.  They think finding meteorites is like an Easter egg 
hunt, they are> lying everywhere just like they saw on TV and they are 
worth millions to> boot.   It will not be long before somebody gets 
shot for trespassing> willing to take risks at that $500,000.00 black 
rock that will solve all of> their financial problems.>> Yes, money is 
a part of the game but if we put too much emphasis on it, our> hobby 
will surely be in jeopardy.  Two states have already proclaimed their> 
land off limits with two more in hot pursuit.  I was going to hunt> 
meteorites this July in Washington State but won't bother since state 
State> and Federal Land are now off-limits, same for Oregon.   
California and> Arizona are next, probably shut down within the next 12 
months.   Arizona> has already specified that meteorites cannot be 
removed from state parks. It> will not be long before the Federal lands 
are included.>> I think it is our responsibility to be careful and 
thoughtful about what is> being stated to the media, especially since 
they get it wrong half the time> and are quicker to jump on bad news.  
I am not trying to be negative, only> trying to preserve an interesting 
and fun avocation.>> Best Regards,>> Adam> 
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- Galactic Stone & Ironworks 
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