[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index][Subject Index][Author Index]
Nomenclature
Re: to what Ray McAllister said about nomenclature...1) For some of us,
including members of the public, nomenclature
is one of the most enjoyable and fascinating parts of paleo.
2) Taxonomic nomenclature is an important part of biological
science, and if we are going to represent ourselves to the
public, let's not hide bits of our trade because it's boring or
embarrassing. We never seem to hide the really "bad" parts of
science (squabbling, etc), so why should we hold back on
something that is so important?
I'm not saying we should cram it down their throats, but
I for one believe that it's worth the time to explain to a
seven-year-old *WHY* they have to call the durned thing
Apatosaurus.
Wagner
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jonathan R. Wagner
Graduate student sanz portfolio
jrw6f@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu