I'm thinking it's time one of the more creaky members of the list put
their hand up on this one, so I'm going to say unequivocally that I'm
with Alberta and Steve (and just now, Julian). I've jousted off-line
with other olders ('elders' sounds far too respectful of ourselves in
this context) on this one, including in the last couple of days, but I'm
becoming concerned about a possible schism on the list, which would be
very sad. I think the list is one of the best of its kind, and in terms
of respect and mutual support far superior to the national equivalent.
The significance of it is far beyond just the contributions it may or
may not make to 'knowledge'; I've always believed that one of its most
important functions is to allow people, of all levels of birding
experience, to share the simple but profound pleasures and excitements
of birding. I actually get a real buzz out of others' discoveries and
insights, but even if I didn't I hope I'd regard the imposition of
opening (or not, as Julian suggests) another email from someone who's
just enjoyed a koel (etc) as irrelevant compared with its significance
to that person. If I'd been told X decades ago that my latest revelation
was not worth sharing, I may well not have continued.
If that were to happen to someone else now because of our jadedness
(well it should be a word!) that would be sad, and worse.
Try to remember, my greying colleagues, what it was like to be
discovering birds all those too many years ago. I reckon the pleasure
I've got out of it over all the years has paid a million times for any
perceived inconvenience of an email which doesn't tell me something I
already know.
So my exortation to all is, if you saw it and enjoyed it, share it. It's
your bird-line exactly as much as it is anyone else's.
happy birding
Ian
--
Ian Fraser,
Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Wordsmithing
GPO Box 3268, Canberra, ACT 2601
ph: 61 2 6249 1560 fax: 61 2 6247 3227
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