(no subject)

[Ccookk@aol.com]

This is a portion of a website where Science News Online gives some 
interesting insight into the paleotological psyche... it demonstrates that 
what "commercial" paleontologists are frequently criticized for, is really a 
trait common to most of humanity... that need to share our triumphs, and take 
pride in our accomplishments, sometimes bypassing what some would consider 
"professional" paleontological protocols, and also sometimes missing some of 
the facts along the way.  

    ""Other scientists criticize the team and the National Geographic Society 
for unveiling the fossil before any detailed article had appeared in a 
scientific journal. "There probably has never been a fossil with a sadder 
history than this one," says Storrs L. Olson of the Smithsonian Institution's 
National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Because National Geographic published an article about Archaeoraptor before 
any formal description, credit for the scientific name now goes to the author 
of the magazine article, rather than to the scientists, says Olson.

Currie says that the mix-up over this one fossil does not diminish the 
evidence suggesting that birds evolved from dinosaurs. It will, however, 
cause him to be more tight-lipped in the future about fossil finds until a 
journal article appears. "Certainly, I don't recommend to any budding 
scientist that they do it this way." "