[meteorite-list] Responsibility Over Ratings

[countdeiro at earthlink.net]

Sonny's is a CM1.... 

Count Deiro
IMCA 3536

-----Original Message-----
>From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike at gmail.com>
>Sent: Jun 24, 2010 3:25 PM
>To: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites at yahoo.com>
>Cc: Adam <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
>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.  Any
>time you tell the world that something is worth a lot of money, it
>brings out the worst in people.  If I had a dollar for every email I
>have 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 people
>don't want to hear the truth - that their rock is not a meteorite and
>they have a better chance of hitting the powerball lottery than they
>do of finding a CM2.
>
>About treasure-hunting -
>
>According to what I have heard and read, metal detecting is illegal on
>public lands in Florida now.
>
>The last dozen times I have been to the beach, I have seen too many
>metal detectors to count.  So either the law is not being enforced, or
>I heard wrong.  Some of these prospectors were operating within easy
>sight of law enforcement and law enforcement didn't seem to notice or
>care.
>
>I have also heard that collecting arrowheads is illegal - again
>though, don't tell the locals that, because very local down here who
>prospects also has a drawer full of arrowheads.
>
>Best regards,
>
>MikeG
>
>
>On 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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>
>
>-- 
>------------------------------------------------------------
>Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
>http://www.galactic-stone.com
>http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
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