[meteorite-list] Responsibility Over Ratings

From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:25:30 -0400
Message-ID: <AANLkTimKGsYKbNu4Fivcd8Ndj2z6vv7ZQl0xy2Aph1P0_at_mail.gmail.com>

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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-- 
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Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
http://www.galactic-stone.com
http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
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Received on Thu 24 Jun 2010 03:25:30 PM PDT