Well said Scott.

I sincerely believe we need to move away from the Mickey Mouse Club
or boy or girls club if you will.

I believe we need to be the Conchology Society or the various forms of
learned
speak of the study of shells and an honored group of peoples.

Several years ago when I gave professional talks to a collection of a
hundred or so top grade IC designers - I chose the term - Seminar.
And provided the definition upon the cover of the manual. A training
class or a lecture was just not the thing for the place and peoples.
We as a group provided information to all within the group. While I provided
the bulk of information, they provided real life examples and adaptability.
It was an international group from each and every Intel Design Center.

Martin

Scott Jordan wrote:
> To get young and older people interested in our pastime, we need to make it
> sound fun and exciting.  When faced with communicating my interest in
> mollusks to those outside the circle, so to speak, I refrain from referring
> to myself as a shell collector.
>
> Instead, depending on the situation, I will claim:
> • To be interested in natural history or invertebrate zoology
> • To be an avid scuba diver and small game hunter
> • To be a book collector with an emphasis on the history of the biological
> sciences
>  This generally leads to people asking neutral questions in pursuit of a
> better understanding of what I am talking about.
>
> On the other hand, the moniker “Shell collector” has a frivolous air about
> it.  It sounds like we might show up in town after the Beanie Baby
> convention.  Frankly, I also think “shell club” as a suffix does not
> positively advertise the depth of intellectual stimulation afforded by such
> associations.
> I personally believe there is enormous latent interest for all branches of
> natural history, but the concept of making it a formal hobby or recreational
> avenue is in need of repackaging.  There are so many dimensions to our field
> of interest and it is inadequately communicated by the term “shell club”.
> Let’s be honest with ourselves, reflecting back on high school it wasn’t
> exactly the cool kids who were members of the Latin or Chess clubs, so we
> are up against a preexisting negative prejudice right from the get go.
> I propose that when one talks about our interest, it is preferable not to
> immediate resort to the explanation “I collect sea shells”.  Be a little coy
> and creative and get people interested in understanding you and your
> interest.  At some point, you can then talk about maintaining a collection
> of shells for whatever reason fits the course of dialog you have taken.
>
> If we don’t give body and shape to the perception of our pursuit, others’
> bias will.
> Scott
>
>
>
>
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--
Martin H. Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
TSRA, Life; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member.
http://lufkinced.com/

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