That's almost exactly the way I put my reply Anita. To be honest I can't
remember anyone getting mad at me but like you about 1/3rd won't reply. The
others generally just say thanks.
There are also two VERY important links I provide them in the response too
and I mention that they are likely to find a similar sample to theirs on one
of these pages:
http://epsc.wustl.edu/admin/resources/meteorites/meteorwrongs/meteorwrongs.htm
http://www.meteorite-identification.com/
These two sites are absolute gold and a service to the meteorite community.
Cheers,
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anita Westlake" <[email protected]>
To: "Adam Hupe" <[email protected]>; "Gary Fujihara" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Adam" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 4:58 AM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Increased Interest in Meteorites
Hi Ya'll:
As President of the Meteorite Association of Georgia, I have seen a recent
increase in interest in meteorites as witnessed by more people joining our
group, more people coming to our individual lectures, etc.
And yes, more uninformed but hopeful people swearing the rock they found
in their back yard was not only hot to the touch when found, but is worth
its weight in platinum.
In order to fend off the nasty replies I get when I patiently explain why
it's NOT a meteorite, I simply tell them this:
"Thank you for contacting us. It is difficult to tell from the photo you
provided, but it appears to me that you have found a piece of slag. I
encourage you to send your photo and/or a piece of the specimen to those who
can test the material with equipment I do not possess." Then, if they write
back asking for places that do testing, I'll provide that info. As of today,
no one has ever requested more information. I don't know if they were happy
with my reply, or simply put my email in the round file.
Anita
--- On Mon, 3/22/10, Gary Fujihara <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Gary Fujihara <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March
22, 2010
To: "Adam Hupe" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Adam" <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 1:11 PM
I agree with you Adam. As much
as the Meteorite Men show has provided better awareness to
meteorites in the general population, it has also spurred
the conmen and get-rich-quick schemers.
I think the show has been steered by producers to make it
more appealing to viewers, but in doing so have placed far
too much emphasis on monetary value and too little on
scientific importance. This brings all the riffraff out of
the woodwork and now we are beginning to see the negative
effects this brings on our hobby/business/passion. My
2ยข
gary
On Mar 22, 2010, at 6:59 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: "[email protected]"
<[email protected]>
> To: "[email protected]"
<[email protected]>
> 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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Gary Fujihara
Big Kahuna Meteorites (IMCA#1693)
105 Puhili Place, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
http://bigkahuna-meteorites.com/
http://shop.ebay.com/fujmon/m.html
(808) 640-9161
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