Re: The Dumbing Down of Astronomers

offaxis2@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

You look a lot like a troll.

YOU ARE A TROLL AND a TROG

Don't SHOUT!

Modern amateur astronomers now have access to world class research data
via the internet and a chance to participate in various pro-am
collaborations to cover monitoring transient objects expected to
outburst like cataclysmic variable stars. The email and the internet has
made this possible IAU circulars were too slow.

It is not by any stretch of the imagination dumbing down. You are offaxis.

Yet FEWER and FEWER amateurs actually care to participate in those
things because the obsession is about equipment. Look at the obsession
about which focuser is better, which COLOR LOOKS PRETTIER scattered
across dozens of forums across a hundred websites.

I think you mix with the wrong people if this is your impression of amateur astronomers. I grant you I don't know what local societies are like over the pond. But I can't believe they are all as materiallistic and equipment obsessed as you claim. Every society has at least one member with more money than sense or ability to use the kit.

Then turn to the actual observing forums on those same websites and
compare the amounts of messages about one subject vs the other you will
find 3 and 4 to 1 ratios for the appearance over the use.

Do I think everyone falls in this category NO I think too many do and
those so easily offended here are the ones who are probably the most at
fault . The ones who say I am a troll or offaxis and state their
participation in active programs when you should see that many club
memberships have gotten older and don't attract as many young
participants as they use to is this because the are not as many people
or is it its not slick enough for them? Maybe just maybe its that since
we do not make it look enticing because the majority of amateurs
stopped bothering to try to achieve something and thus stopped making
astronomy a tempting experience.

Astronomy, like chess benefitted immensely in the 60's and 70's from the proxy cold war in space and over the chess board. What we really need to get the public interested again is a decent sized naked eye comet!

We now live in the Ipod & Playstation era - better get used to it.

Regards,
Martin Brown
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Brookfield teacher charged in Internet case
    ... I'd even go further and say that if any organization and/or internet ... Instead we have DC's greatest troll. ... Brookfield teacher charged in Internet case ... Brookfield Teacher Caught In Internet Sex Sting Fri Apr 28, ...
    (rec.arts.marching.drumcorps)
  • Re: Space Cowboy 0 Surrendering To A List Bully
    ... valued members leaving. ... obsession and this one had a good mix for a change. ... and it can cause you to lose your mind even. ... Arguing on the Internet is like competing in the Special Olympics, ...
    (rec.food.drink.tea)
  • Re: Space Cowboy 0 Surrendering To A List Bully
    ... valued members leaving. ... obsession and this one had a good mix for a change. ... had very good tea but their prices were a bit high. ... Arguing on the Internet is like competing in the Special Olympics, ...
    (rec.food.drink.tea)
  • Re: WARNING: Industry is Blogging These NewsGroups to Protect Their Monopolies
    ... "Mark Probert" the Internet Bully wrote ... HCN is a long time poster in mha, thus is not a troll. ... community such as an online discussion forum, and posts inflammatory, ... Note that is the *GANG* and mostly Mark Probert, ...
    (misc.health.alternative)
  • Re: WARNING: Industry is Blogging These NewsGroups to Protect Their Monopolies
    ... Please be aware that many comments and responses posted to this forum ... The use of the internet,(a website, a discussion group, a personalized ... HCN is a long time poster in mha, thus is not a troll. ... Note that is the *GANG* and mostly Mark Probert, ...
    (misc.health.alternative)