Dear Michael, Stan and List: I believe it would be helpful to point out that if contemplated, both Aldo Leopold and Steve Irwin were doing the same job but using different methods. However, Steve's job was to generate conservation interest to an otherwise-disinterested public at large and generally visual-learning children. He did this by taking a calculated risk and interacting with wildlife, which is not unrepresented in the academic/research field.
For instance, I attended an undergraduate physics course whereby the professor would routinely demonstrate potentially disastrous principles--- such as the laws of motion, by allowing a large steel ball released from a starting position at his nose, to swing across the stage and return to the position from which he released the object, which was very close but not quite his face. It was extremely helpful as a visual lesson to the bleary- eyed undergrads sitting in the morning class; however, there was danger by doing this. The professor was buying our interest using his own risk and interacting with physics. It sparked out imagination. There are many examples of risk undertaken for the sake of education or science; we do it every day when in the field conducting our studies. In addition, I believe there to be no doubt among ecologists that we are living in an age of mass-extinctions and mass-indifference. It seems prudent to engage the potential of mass-media to spark imagination and awareness which then provides an opportunity for ecological science to become relevant to the public. Steve was a spark and I say our job now as ecologists is to capitalize on our relevance and provide the scientific context of what that man attempted to do through entertainment. Best regards, Mac Kobza Aquatic Ecologist South Florida Water Management District Everglades Research Division 1480 Skees Road West Palm Beach, FL 33411 561.686.8800 ext. 4543 561.681.6310 Fax [EMAIL PROTECTED]
