"The Club" In Action

[Minimalist]

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... t1104.html

POCATELLO, Idaho - Jeffrey Meldrum holds a Ph.D. in anatomical sciences and is a tenured professor of anatomy at Idaho State University.

He is also one of the world's foremost authorities on Bigfoot, the mythical smelly ape-man of the Northwest woods. And Meldrum firmly believes the lumbering, shaggy brute exists.

That makes him an outcast - a solitary, Sasquatch-like figure himself - on the 12,700-student campus, where many scientists are embarrassed by what they call Meldrum's "pseudo-academic" pursuits and have called on the university to review his work with an eye toward revoking his tenure. One physics professor, D.P. Wells, wonders whether Meldrum plans to research Santa Claus, too.

[War Arrow]

Thinking Aloud: tricky. Suggesting that bigfoot might exist doesn't seem so out there as suggesting an underground race is controlling us with rays, but where do you draw the line?
I don't know.
In this case, going from what little is said in the article, it seems pretty bad form that other scientists won't share a coffee with him. Sure, they might not want his 'reputation' to tarnish theirs by association, but that's no reason to be rude. Surely it'd just be best if those getting so ruffled by this guy adopted a policy of 'live and let live'. If there's anything in his line of enquiry, maybe he'll find it. If there isn't, he won't.

[Guest]

That makes him an outcast

not sure exactly what is minimalist's position here but it looks to be against the club but i don't see this particular example as th club in action. I see discretion and common sense at work but not 'the club' mentality.

in my opinion a good example of 'the club' in action would be found in jacobovic's epsiode of 'the amateurs' where mainstream archaeologists ignore finds of those outside of their control even when requested to participate.

the example i am thinking of is the dig under the couple's home, not the bedouins treasures. or the accidental finds that get shoved to the side because they were not done in 'the accepted' manner established by 'the club'.

again, how much data and how many artifacts are lost because of this mentality. is it really time for a call to overhaul archaeology and its praftices?

[Minimalist]

many scientists are embarrassed by what they call Meldrum's "pseudo-academic" pursuits and have called on the university to review his work with an eye toward revoking his tenure.

Come on, Arch! What ever happened to Academic Freedom?

[Guest]

Do I cringe when I see the Discovery Channel and I see Idaho State University, Jeff Meldrum? Yes, I do," Hackworth said. "He believes he's taken up the cause of people who have been shut out by the scientific community. He's lionized there. He's worshipped. He walks on water. It's embarrassing."

Come on, Arch! What ever happened to Academic Freedom?

with freedom there always comes responsibility plus when you represent a university, there are other people's reputations that need to be taken into account.

do i think he needs his tenure to be revoked? no. but i think he needs to get a grip on reality. of the 1000's of people who go hunting every year, the 1000's who go hiking, and the 1000's who go camping in the woods each year, you would think this creature would have been discovered and recorded beyond a few grainy, out of focus pictures and movies, by now.

this guy is chasing a pipe dream that just doesn't exist and that is not good for his reputation, the university's or the field of science. {especially after i have been raked over the coals here by adherents of the field}

so i will remain as opposed to this being an example of 'the club' in action

[Minimalist]

there are other people's reputations that need to be taken into account.

Not if they don't sign the paper, they don't. I don't believe in 'guilt by association'......except for bible fanatics.

[Cognito]

Not if they don't sign the paper, they don't. I don't believe in 'guilt by association'......except for bible fanatics.

Min, really didn't you mean to say proselytizing bible fanatics as opposed to just bible fanatics. I was raised in a very religious family and have been through the bible more times than I would care to mention. I really don't mind those who live by its word, but consider those who become intolerant and pushy due to a literal belief in the bible to be over the edge.

[Minimalist]

I really don't mind those who live by its word

I've never met one of those.

[Bruce]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01753.html



I suspect the Club is knee deep in this one!

[Minimalist]

I wonder how many people would line up to see a "replica?"

[Guest]

I wonder how many people would line up to see a "replica?"

quite a few i guess. they have a replica of the skull in a very small town just north of me in a paleolithic family park. they get crowds of families spending the day up there.

I've never met one of those.

Ahem!?

[Minimalist]

I've never met one of those.

Ahem!?

You do all of these? All the time? And others too numerous to mention?

If someone wrongs you seven times in a day and comes back to you seven times saying, "I am sorry", you must forgive.

Lk 17:4 Mt 18:21f - 55 -


Treat others the way you would like them to treat you.

Lk 6:31 Mt 7:12 Th 6 - 56 -


Love your enemies.

Lk 6:28 Mt 5:44 - 57 -


When someone hits you on the cheek offer the other as well. When someone takes your coat let him have your shirt too.

[/quote]

[Guest]

You do all of these? All the time? And others too numerous to mention

i am not perfect and i have my lapses but in general -- yes

how do you think i could 'discuss' with you for so long.

[Minimalist]

i am not perfect and i have my lapses but in general -- yes

Then the answer is "no."

[Guest]

Then the answer is "no."

'the club' in action.