[meteorite-list] Re: Brenham Follow-on Effect

From: Sterling K. Webb <kelly_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Nov 16 03:53:53 2005
Message-ID: <437AF378.364AB3DC_at_bhil.com>

Dear List,

    I think the most obvious reason
for the lack of press "focus" on
Park Forest (March 26/27, 2003)
is the fact that the invasion of Iraq,
or Gulf War II, commenced on
March 20, 2003 and was, at the
time of Park Forest, in the most
hotly contested uncertainty of
outcome.
    The morning of the 27th, when
Park Forest was reported, coincides
with the most massive aerial bom-
bardment of Bagdad, complete
with extensive and spectacular
video of the event from inside
the city, while troops in the field
were deadlocked in static and
punishing battles 60 miles to
the southeast.
    As for the character of the
news story, the media is far more
interested in "Act of God" events
than human accomplishments,
especially scientific ones.
    And no amount of press
releases and promotion would
make finding a new main mass
of Brenham a news story if it
were competing against, say,
the D-Day landing or a major
act of terrorism or a good-sized
hurricane.
    In matters of coverage,
timing is everything. Many a
minor story has ballooned to
major merely by hitting on a
dead spot in the news cycle.
If the news is full, baby down
a well goes to page 37. If there's
nothing else happening at the
moment, it lands on page one.
    However, once a story
reaches enough people to
interest a sufficient number,
the story acquires a life of its
own. But getting there is mostly
a matter of luck.


Sterling K. Webb
---------------------------------------
Notkin wrote:

> Jeff K. posted:
>
> > I have also found it quite amazing that this find seems to have
> > generated
> > such a vast interest across the US. Maybe even more than Park Forest.
>
> Dear Jeff and List:
>
> You've made a very interesting observation Jeff. I also believe the
> press coverage on this is much greater than Park Forest. We know of
> print/TV stories in Canada, England, Germany, and in your home country
> of Australia too ("Melbourne Times") in addition to close to 100 news
> stories here in the U.S.
>
> I think the reasons for this are two-fold:
>
> 1) Park Forest was a random Act of God-type event. Once the story has
> been written, there isn't a lot that can be done in terms of a
> follow-up, except for those of us with specialized interest (i.e. "How
> can I get a piece?"). The Brenham story has human interest: here is a
> professional meteorite hunter and his partner who came up with a good
> strategy -- after ten years of thinking about Brenham -- and were then
> tremendously successful. Newspapers love big success stories, *and*
> treasure hunts, *and* local interest -- Steve was born in Kansas, so we
> have all three.
>
> 2) There was no sustained effort to promote the Park Forest story as
> far as I know, and why should there be? Phil and I have written press
> releases, sent emails, faxes, and photos all over the country. I hired
> a P.R. expert as my media advisor; we also have a new website under
> construction. Steve has done multiple interviews (even I did two
> interviews) and has staged public events: the big pallasite was on
> display at the Afton Observatory near Wichita on Saturday evening, and
> local TV and papers were there to see it.
>
> This is a great story, and a fun one, and we've worked really hard at
> promoting it. These things don't happen by themselves. Glad to see it's
> working!
>
> What's really interesting to me is how a story like this galvanizes the
> public, and suddenly people are finding "meteorites" under their beds
> and scouring the internet for more information about them. I bet all
> this media attention will generate more than one new meteorite hunter.
> When people hear about a "Million Dollar Rock" being found in a
> farmer's field, a lot of them want to get in on the action : )
>
> > My website has been hammered with nearly 2000 hits this weekend (about
> > 300%
> > extra) with people searching for Pallasites, Brenham, etc, etc. I've
> > also
> > had a plethora of emails from people wanting to know how much their
> > "meteorites" (aka Normal Rocks) are worth.
>
> Same here. I've also had several crackpot phone calls from people who
> have found "meteorites." One of the was really scary. The guy said he'd
> found a 6 by 10 ft. "meteorite" that looked just like dolomite. "D'ya
> know what dolomite lerks like?" he bellowed.
>
> He then went on to tell me he'd like me to help him with his book on
> "the other side of evolution" which shows "that feller Darwin's ideas
> was based on a load 'o waffles." At that point I excused myself.
>
> For our friends in Canada, Discovery Channel Canada will be airing a
> new piece on Steve and the big Brenham either tonight or tomorrow night
> on their "Daily Planet" segment. We believe that it will be shown in
> the U.S. next week, and will try to get exact showtimes for you.
>
> Steve is finally on his way home, so hopefully he'll be able to post to
> the List soon. Thanks to everyone who sent emails of congratulations. I
> have been keeping him up-to-date, and we've saved copies off all of
> your posts.
>
> Finally:
>
> PLEASE don't forget to send your Joel Schiff gifts to our friend Maria
> at: dragonsoup_at_msn.com
>
> We've heard from a lot of people, but hope to hear from a lot more. If
> you've enjoyed reading "Meteorite" magazine please send something to
> the fund so we can acquire a really nice "thank you" for Joel during
> his recovery. Also, write to me off-List if you'd like your remaining
> subscription for "M" to be put towards our fund.
>
> Thank you, best wishes, to all,
>
> Geoff N.
>
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Received on Wed 16 Nov 2005 03:53:12 AM PST