[meteorite-list] Responsibility Over Ratings

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:15:41 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <98640.97246.qm_at_web30701.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

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
Received on Thu 24 Jun 2010 03:15:41 PM PDT