Re: Paleocene dinosaurs

[lbowlds@geosociety.org (Larry Bowlds)]

In <9504272031.AA17471@fennel.acc.com> art@acc.com (Art Berggreen) writes:
>>Now, if only I could make sense of all that jargon in _The Dinosauria_.  
>>That is one really difficult book to understand.  The other person who has 
>>had an impact on me from a media stand point is Robert Bakker.  It's a 
>>little frustrating to see that he doesn't seem to  be very well respected 
>>though.  I've seen threads recently that suggest he  makes up data to 
>>support his theories.  I'd hope this isn't true.  I'd really like to meet 
>>him and listen to him tell stories for about a week.

>I think it's more a case of him taking a few facts and then just handwaving
>out a theory.  I get the feeling that most paleontologists respect him
>for some of the ideas he's introducted and forced people to really examine
>things, but would really like him to spend less time on TV and more time
>doing the "grunt work" necessary for good science.  As for a one-on-one
>with him (as a non-professional), I've always felt that his ego would be
>too large for me to take.

Art,

I've never met Bob Bakker, but I did have the good fortune to watch
him talk to a group of Scouts one Saturday afternoon about 10 years
ago. He was talking about locomotion in marine reptiles, and his only
prop was the reconstructed paddle of a mosasaur--but that mosasaur
lived. It was the most remarkable talk I've ever seen. Bakker
has the ability to make paleontology come alive.

I've also heard nothing but good things about him from the amateurs
who know him. I don't think you'll find his ego intimidating, and if
you have the opportunity to meet him, take advantage of it. Even if
you don't agree with everything he says (I don't), the way he says
it is unmatched.

Larry

-- 
*---------------------------------------------
*Larry S. Bowlds        lbowlds@geosociety.org
*Geological Society of America
*Bulletin Managing Editor
*(303) 447-2020, ext. 147        
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