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 <e...@meteoritesusa.com> wrote:
> From: Meteorites USA <e...@meteoritesusa.com>
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22,
> 2010
> To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com
> 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
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