Bumbling amature

[Robert Butcher]

HI everyone,
can we please end this futile "amateur" vs "professional" ranking and 
justification arguement since it aint valid and is only stiffling 
exchange between equally valid "groups" of people?

Since when has any information or worthwhile (?? Hmm. ok i 
fell into that, how about scientifically correct, or observationally 
accurate) points of view been restricted to those within, or outwith 
"professionalism". Within academia, since when has the opinions of a 
pregraduate or even graduate student per se been inferior to those of 
a less enlightened post garduate, post doc or lecturer ( i always 
thougtht that the underpaid priveledge of academia was to watch, and 
nurse along those who were "brighte" and who would rapidly superseed 
yourself)? 
Since when has a "laypreson's" experience, which as illustrated 
frequently on this list, been invalid simply because they do not have 
some (probably irrelevant) degree or doctorate after their name? 
Basically people have experience and knowledge to pass on. Its up to 
us to choose to risk being educated by being willing to listen 
without prejudice, but judge the information only in context of its 
scientific (or cultural) merit, irrespective of the posters creeed, 
race or "academic origins".
 Alternatively, we can choose to remain ignorant and not listen or 
read. Thats life. But data and opinion (ones interepretation of 
data), the foundation of education, stand upon thier validity alone 
and (hey am i naive here or what) are not decided, or dissmissed by 
weird and false titles like "bumbling amateur" or "proffessional so 
its gotta be true", just like other things cannot be dissmissed by 
being "black", "Jewish", "communist" "non-professionalist" etc.

Well i guess there is nothing new in the above, so perhaps i should 
go back to the pub, except please lets exchange info, opions etc 
without false dismissal or verification based only upon whether if 
one is perceived (by whom?) as "academic" or "amateur".
My irrelevant, and uninvited, two cents worth
Peace 
(to paraphrase one of the many posters on this list who 
enlightens us all, in my opinion, regardless of whether he is
an academic or a keen amateur (i suspect both))

Rob (Ignorant, but keen to eventually learn through ALL you postings 
and not either just the "amateurs" or the "academics")



Robert Butcher,
Evolutionary and Ecological Entomology Unit,
Department of Biological Sciences,
Dundee University,
Dundee, DD1 4HN,
Tayside, Scotland,
UK.
Work Phone:- 01382-344291 (Office), 01382-344756 (Lab).
Fax:- 01382-344864
e-mail:- r.d.j.butcher at dundee.ac.uk