[meteorite-list] Responsibility Over Ratings

From: wahlperry at aol.com <wahlperry_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:24:30 -0400
Message-ID: <8CCE1FAC39F8BC6-2118-1BBD_at_webmail-m101.sysops.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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------------------------------------------------------------Mike Gilmer
- Galactic Stone & Ironworks
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Received on Thu 24 Jun 2010 05:24:30 PM PDT