Glassberg's public statement on collecting.

[Mark Walker]

Neil Jones wrote:

<I've skipped some stuff here>

> If I were in the USA I would probably be taking specimens 
> myself because
> there is much taxonomic work to be done. However I have no 
> interest in the
> laborious nature of keeping a collection. I would probably 
> donate any specimens
> to an institution who could look after them. I come to 
> lepidoptera from a 
> different perspective I want to know how nature works and I 
> marvel over that.
> Consequently I am more interested in studying living butterflies.

This passage is evidence to me of the very positive effect that the often
nasty and alienating exchanges that occur here on LEPS-L can have over time.
I am quite pleased to read these words from Neil, and I do believe that no
matter how intelligent Neil may have been five years ago, he is a more
enlightened individual today.  I suppose my only true regret in all of this
is that the situation in Great Britain is not similar enough to my own
country so as to allow me the pleasure of sampling the fauna there.

The "laborious nature of keeping a collection" can be stifling, for sure,
but it is definitely part of what makes it such a joy for me.  Thank God
we're not really created equal - it's so much more interesting this way.

Mark Walker
having recovered to almost 80% and enjoying 80 degree weather in SoCal
> 

 
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