Hey Eric.
I have to disagreed with you on some of your points.
Overall I do agree with you that the program has increased the awareness of
meteorites and has probably grown the collector base a little so far. I suspect
that the base will probably grow even more as the show continues in reruns. (At
least one episode seems to be on at one time or another nearly every day.
Buzzard Coulee is on again tonight).
Over all this is probably a good thing...
Institutions that accept submissions should have guessed they'd see an increase
in meteorwrongs being sent to them and I can only assume that ASU expected it
since they are so prominently featured in the program.
However, to say that the producers had to emphasis the monetary value of
meteorites as much as they do just to get the ratings is non-sense. IMHO.
The network the show was intended for, and continues to air on is, ...
wait for it...
The SCIENCE Channel
People who watch this channel expect science; Real science. Popular science,
even at times pseudo-science, but science none the less... They are looking to
be educated. At least one can hope they are.
Just looking ahead at the programming over the next day I see programs on
ancient Egypt, Black Holes, Killer Asteroids, how things are manufactured,
etc., etc.
Not one discusses how you can go out and find treasure on the ground just
waiting for you to come and pick it up.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the biggest disappointment I have with the
program is the emphasis that was placed on the value of the meteorites, and the lack of
time spent discussing the science. I have heard the same thing from colleagues and
researchers in the field. The responses I've heard from every one of them is the show is
good, but the fact that they put a value on every single stone they find is troublesome.
"Where is the science?" is the most recurrent refrain.
During The Show last month I heard rumors that at least one and possibly two more
meteorite hunter programs were being pitched or in the early stages of production, mostly
because of the success of Meteorite Men. I can only hope that Geoff and Steve's producers
will focus on the science a bit more if/when cycle two begins, but I fear that if these
other meteorite programs make it to air, they'll take a cue from "MM" and focus
on the value of meteorites.
--
Richard Kowalski
Full Moon Photography
IMCA #1081
--- On Mon, 3/22/10, Meteorites USA<[email protected]> wrote:
From: Meteorites USA<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22,
2010
To: [email protected]
Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 10:51 AM
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
