Re: My 0.2 cents worth also.

[tlford@ix.netcom.com (Tracy Ford)]

You wrote: 
>

>But that's not even the point.  No one ever even suggested THE LOST
>WORLD was a documentary.  But they did have the sense and pocket book to
>hire Jack Horner as a paleo consultant.  That alone merits at least a
>few brownie points for good intentions.  AND...according to Jack (yes, I did 
>RESEARCH this, *gasp*), Spielberg frequently asked for Horner's
>scientific opinions and once given, Spielbert took Horner's expert
>perspective into consideration. 


Then, according to Jack Horner at a recent talk in San Deigo, did what 
ever Steven wanted! Steve would ask inane questions that Jack couldn't 
answer. Did Steve really want the advice? Or just Horner's name on the 
project?
 Or is Bob going to say he was a consultant on LW like he said he was 
in JP, which he WASN'T!

But, hey, I did like the movie.

Now I'm not saying anything against the orginal writer of this post, 
but this actually comes to another point. Should writers get their 
facts streight? (This does not have anything to do with dino girl 
writer, but some one else, whom I'm sure will get a copy of the post 
from someone on the list, he'll contact me because he can't...we'll 
lets not get him any more upset).

I just read Don Lessem's article in Earth, Volume 6, Number 4: Lost 
World Vs. Real World. He states a few facts, and some of those are 
wrong.

For the head butting pachycephalosaurids, he give Bakker credit for the 
theroy, but it is Peter Galton, in 1970 who wrote it up. The note 
missleads (may be its just me because I know) that Bakker is the one 
who wrote it up (or maybe he just used Bakker, since Galton isn't that 
well known), but then the public is being mislead. No need to give 
Bakker any credit for something he didn't come up with (like he really 
won't do that!). 

Then the last sentance he quotes Horner saying the plates in 
Stegosaurus are wrong, they should be in a single row. Well, maybe Jack 
did say that, maybe Jack dosen't know, but there is a really good new 
road-kill Stegosaurus that was dug up a few years ago that shows that 
the plates WERE in two rows, and they were even staggered. I'd think 
Don would have known about the Denver specimen.

So, my question, should the writer make sure the facts are strieght or 
write what other people have said, and then the blame would be on them?

The same goes for writers of books who have drawings of dinosaurs 
totally wrong, or partially wrong. Should they make sure the drawings 
are correct? YES!!! Don't misslead the public anymore!!!


I'm off my soapbox.
Tracy