[meteorite-list] Meteorite Men effects

From: Linton Rohr <lintonius_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:25:59 -0700
Message-ID: <9A8FA437E4CF43EAA67902122BDBB063_at_D190TH71>

Thank you for the insight, Steve.
I had a feeling the instant field appraisals were not instigated by you and
Geoff.
Keep up the good work, and good luck scoring a season 2.
Linton

----- Original Message -----
From: <meteorhntr at aol.com>
To: "Adam Hupe" <raremeteorites at yahoo.com>;
<meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com>; "Adam"
<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2010 1:41 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Meteorite Men effects


> Hey list,
>
> Interesting topic. I thought I would change the Subject Line though.
>
> Let me give you guys a little behind the scenes understanding of what
> happens in the making of Meteorite Men.
>
> There is a production company that owns the show by the name of LMNO
> Productions. They have been around maybe for 20 years with 150 or so
> different programs under their belt. Some were long running series, some
> were just one-offs, but they have a very experienced staff of
> professionals that know what they are doing.
>
> They came up with the idea of the Meteorite Men show after reading a front
> page story about me in the LA Times back in 2007. They had not seen
> anything about the earlier programs Geoff and I (nor anyone else) had been
> on when they called me that first time.
>
> They made a short 4 min video and pitched it to a handful of networks, and
> Science Channel gave them the best offer for a pilot, so they took it.
>
> Geoff and I were hired as the "Talent" and we were in show business!
>
> Now here is how it works: there is an Executive Producer assigned by the
> network to oversee the production of the episodes. Geoff and I have a
> boss, that is the show's Executive Producer who has a boss that is the
> owner of the LMNO Production Company.
>
> We all, in reality, have one customer, and that is the Science Channel's
> Executive Producer. If this one man is happy, we get paid. If he is not
> happy, they keep sending the video back to get it changed to how he likes
> it. Once it is adjusted to how he likes it, we get paid.
>
> In theory, the Executive Producer on the Network side hopefully knows what
> his network's audience will like, and he directs us all in the right
> direction. If not, he gets fired.
>
> Rest assured, nothing makes it onto your TV sets at home that is not
> exacly what he wants.
>
> Now, we have been told that if we do get a second season, the network will
> send the episodes from the first season to some very exhaustive market
> research, where carefully selected participants will sit in dark rooms
> watching the episodes with a dial in their hands. When they like something
> on the show, they dial it one way. When they don't like something, they
> dial it the other way.
>
> Sometimes this gets to be subconscious in the minds of the viewing
> research subjects. But it is very scientific, and it is the one way to
> actually trump the personal opinion of the networks EP.
>
> If every time my face is on screen, most or all the people turn their
> dials to the right, and every time Geoff is on screen, they turn it to the
> left...well...then there might jkust be tryouts for a replacement
> Meteorite Man to take one of our spots.
>
> If they don't like my Tshirt, or the way I go "Oh, oh, oh..." Right before
> each comercial. But rather they like how I say "Geoff, look what I found!"
> then we can rest ashured I will be instructed what to say or not say in
> the future, or by the magic of "post-production" I will say the right
> things before all the future commercial breaks.
>
> Each of first 7 episodes were quite different in many ways. It will be
> interesting what the market testing might end up revealing.
>
> If the key demographics don't like the values of the meteorite being
> revealed during the show, then I'm sure what our one "customer" wants will
> end up changing. And in turn, that will change the directives to our
> production company in how the put future shows together in post
> production.
>
> Starting a letter writing campaign to Science Channel might be tempting,
> but unless you have a Nielson Box, on your TV, I don't think it will help.
>
> Let me point out that about a dozen years or so ago, I did a promotional
> campaign in the media that generated 240 samples of suspected meteorites
> being sent to me. Out of that batch, 3 were genuine meteorites.
>
> I could have complained about the 79 wrongs for each 'rite, but I didn't.
> It is a numbers game. Yes it can get frustrating dealing with the wrongs
> and the people who send them in. May I suggest that if you are such a
> person who easily gets frustrated, don't solicit that people send you
> samples to evaluate. I'm sure there are more than enough others to pick
> up the slack.
>
> Who knows what all the good and bad will be from the Meteorite Men series?
> Let's have this discussion in 40 years, and if 20 of us talk then, we
> still will probably have 20 different takes on it then.
>
> I understand in general, some people are "the glass is half empty"
> pessimistic types, and they often really enjoy being negative. While
> others are the "half full" optimistic types. And of course everyone is
> entitled to their opinion.
>
> But, much, if not most of this is out of both Geoff's and my hands, not to
> mention anyone else reading this. What happens is going to happen anyway.
> So, my advice would be for people to plan to take advantage of the
> change(s) as best you can.
>
> Last night the US Congress passed some radical changes that will
> dramatically effect a lot of people's lives in respect to Health Care in
> the US. Will it be good for everyone? Will it be bad for everyone? Who
> cares? What matters is to determine how it might effect you, your family,
> and if you are an entrepreneur, how it will effect your business; then
> make the best out of it.
>
> Same goes here. If you are a curator, or a private collector, a dealer,
> or a hunter, change probably is coming.
>
> You can choose to complain about the change, or prepare the best you can
> to take advantage of it.
>
> One thing I have always loved about Robert Haag is that he is always up.
> Always blowing and going. He always is encouraging and there is something
> magnetic about his optimistic personality. And we all know other people
> that are the opposite of Bob, always complaining and bitching about
> something. Now, pessimistic can be nice people on some levels, but in
> general, they tend to be repelling rather than compelling.
>
> How you choose to respond is your choice, but I will suggest that people
> should spend their energy doing something where there is at least a slight
> chance that something will change for their efforts. I would suggest that
> the values of meteorites shown on the Meteorite Men episodes is not going
> to be one of them. That decision is way above all our pay grades.
>
> Meanwhile, I would like to thank everyone that has reached out in
> encouraging ways to me. I have always said the real treasures in this
> business are the friends I have gained.
>
> And as the old saying goes "you can't please everyone" but it is still
> nice to know when you do please someone.
>
> Godspeed,
>
> Steve Arnold
> Of Meteorite Men
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites at yahoo.com>
> Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:05:08
> To: Adam<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March
> 22,
> 2010
>
> Dear List,
>
> I guess I am a realist. I saw my last passion, Treasure Hunting destroyed
> by a few feeding the pigeons (the press.) At first, the news they
> reported was exciting. Later the press seemed to focus on the uglier side
> of the avocation with time realizing better ratings. They seemed to only
> report on those breaking the law instead of what good was coming from it.
> They would report people midnight gardening (illegally digging) on
> heritage sites instead of the amateur treasure hunter who helped somebody
> locate their lost and treasured wedding ring or a hobbyist helping the
> police department locate metallic evidence. They seemed to only focus on
> how valuable other finds were and that the public was being ripped off. A
> mostly positive hobby was nearly destroyed in a single decade. City,
> state and federal parks became off limits almost over night. Laws were
> twisted, become unclear and most hung up their metal detectors for good.
>
> Others joined clubs, came up with a universal code of ethics and chose
> professional spokespeople to deal with the press when not avoiding it. It
> took decades to partially restore the reputation of this activity as a
> family type pursuit. Still, there are very few areas that are not
> off-limits like the heydays of the 70s when they were free to roam about.
> Thier number one unspoken but clear rule "Do not feed the pigeons, good or
> bad."
>
> Here is a hypothetical scenario:
>
> Somebody digs a hole looking for meteorites that are far more valuable
> than gold or even diamonds according to what they heard on TV and leaves
> it uncovered. Then some poor unsuspecting victim breaks their ankle in
> that uncovered hole and and then the word gets out. The press reports it
> and now this area is off-limits permanently to others. Then all meteorite
> hunters will be judged as disrespectful filthy treasure hunters who could
> care less about other people's rights even though the vast majority are
> good law abiding citizens. The motivation for digging was due to this
> unsavory person believing the monetary reward was worth the risks. It
> only takes one person who has little regard for other people to cause a
> lot of damage.
>
> This has already happened at Meteor Crater but was cattle breaking their
> legs, not a human victim.
>
> I see this hobby going the same way. The only reason I am engaging in this
> thread is that I really care.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Adam
>
> ----- Original Message ----
>
> From: Meteorites USA <eric at meteoritesusa.com>
> To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 10:51:09 AM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March
> 22, 2010
>
> Hi Adam, List,
>
> You really have to take the bad with the good when talking about
> anything... Most of this can all be summed up in one word. Ratings. It's
> an unfortunate truth that most people don't like to be "educated". People
> want to be entertained.
>
> When you concentrate on the education you lose a large portion of the
> viewing audience. For the Meteorite Men show to work they had to make some
> sacrifices for the benefit of the probable success of the show. The show,
> which most people I know really enjoyed, was a BIG hit in both the
> meteorite world and the main stream, was a good mix of adventure and
> science, but the network HAD to throw in the money thing. The ratings, the
> popularity, and the next season of the show depended on it. This of course
> is from a business stand point.
>
>>From my perspective, I was a bit disappointed in the amount of "cha-ching"
>>moments there were versus the hard science or even the adventure. I would
>>have personally liked to see more science but realistically speaking most
>>people will tune it out. We, as meteorite people, are interested in it
>>because it's what we do, we love it! We could watch a full hour on the
>>"Science of Meteorites". Hell, I could watch a mini-series of 6, 2 hour
>>long shows dedicated to the science or meteorites. But that's freaking
>>BORING to most people!
>
> The short of it is, the Science channel had to make a business decision. I
> think the Meteorite Men is a good show "for the masses". It works, people
> love it, and it's probably going to result in a second season. Here's
> hoping!
>
> I believe you can have a good balance of science, adventure, and treasure
> hunting in the world of meteorites. It's all related, to exclude one from
> the other would not be fair nor realistic.
>
> Realistically speaking, how many people are going to drop what they are
> doing and become meteorite hunters? They may get all pumped up after
> watching the show and go buy a detector and meteorite cane, but once they
> get in the field and wander the desert or farm fields for a few days with
> no finds, they'll realize how hard it really is. The difficulty will weed
> out those who are serious about it. As for the scammers, they're
> everywhere. You can't make something that reaches millions and promotes
> "$" without scammers jumping in to take advantage. It happens, and they
> will also weed themselves out.
>
> The Meteorite Men show has also grown the collector base! Lest we forget.
> More collectors divided by same amount of material for collecting, creates
> higher demand equals market growth. Some people don't want to see this
> growth as the believe it will undermine the science, but I believe it will
> be an ultimate boon to science by interesting more people about
> meteorites, and the knowledge one can learn. It's hard to say how many
> people will be motivated to become next generation scientists, but the
> simple fact is MILLIONS of people now have a chance to own a meteorite and
> they are becoming more interested in the science.
>
> Regardless of how you feel about the Meteorite Men show, I think this will
> be a positive thing in the future. People are becoming more aware of their
> world, the science, and the adventure. If people can make a living doing
> it too, then I say go for it! Keep in mind there are lots of kids and
> young adults that watch too, they are in school and will be motivated to
> become meteoriticists, astronomers, astrobiologists, or even astronauts.
> They could become the next generation engineers which launch toward a
> manned asteroid discovery team which may land a human being on an
> asteroid! Manned space flights to a nearby comet anyone?
>
> I say yell it from the rooftops! Stream live video around the world. Let
> everyone know about meteorites, and the wonders they bring to human kind!
>
> Oh yeah, meteorites are cool... ;)
>
> Regards,
> Eric Wichman
> Meteorites USA
>
>
>
>
> On 3/22/2010 9:59 AM, Adam Hupe wrote:
>> A lot of viewers are clinging to the hope they will become overnight
>> millionaires. Most of them will not listen when you tell them their
>> prized new "Moon rock" is a piece of quartz or their new "Pallasite" is
>> nothing more then slag. They will become increasingly angry when you try
>> to explain why. They know it is real because it looks just like the one
>> they saw on TV and will not be told otherwise.
>>
>> I do not even respond any more as I do not like to be put in a position
>> as the bay guy who has to break the news that their worthless rock will
>> not make them the latest millionaire. This is what happens when the
>> media focuses too much on the monetary aspect of meteorite collecting. It
>> out weighs any educational benefit this type of show may have provided.
>> The state Washington and Oregon suddenly announced their no collecting
>> policy on federal land; the timing is uncanny. A lot of scam artists
>> will also attach themselves if the smell of easy money is present. One
>> just has to look at the most expensive "meteorites" on eBay to see this
>> effect. Now, there is always a few fakes listed in the top dollar page.
>>
>> I would hate to see meteorite hunting/collecting go the way treasure
>> hunting did 25 years ago when the avocation almost went extinct, mainly
>> due to the press. Professional treasure hunters now avoid the press
>> when values are put up. Just look at the Mel Fisher group who had to
>> fight for a decade to keep a good portion of their major find due to the
>> fact the press attached a billion dollar price tag to it. Everybody
>> seemed to have a claim on it when they didn't lift a finger to find it.
>> The press made it look easy when in fact Mel suffered many hardships
>> including the loss of his sons life.
>>
>>
>> Best Regards,
>>
>> Adam
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----
>> From: "michael at rocksfromspace.org"<michael at rocksfromspace.org>
>> To:
>> "meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com"<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
>> Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 6:20:26 AM
>> Subject: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22,
>> 2010
>>
>> http:www.rocksfromspace.org/March_22_2010.html
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Thumbed On My BlackBerry
>> ______________________________________________
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>>
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Received on Mon 22 Mar 2010 05:25:59 PM PDT