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Date: | Fri, 9 Jan 1998 16:32:02 -0600 |
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Epitonium wrote:
> At the risk of offending a lot of people, I have decided to heed the
> advice of
> a fellow Conch-L'er and air my feelings about a few things. Lots of
> folks
> couldn't care less.
>
> This probably has nothing to do with the recent controversy that has
> people
> knocking each other like balls across a tennis net......people who are
>
> supposedly friends involved in a common interest--shells. Why do
> friends
> treat friends like this? Does it involve competition in shell shows?
>
> This is my point--and I realize I will probably make a lot of
> "winners" out
> there mad. But why do we have shell shows and compete against each
> other for
> trophies? Isn't the idea of a shell show to educate the public? Does
> it
> matter who wins a trophy? Do they educate the public "MORE"?
>
> I don't think so! The people who win the trophies are the ones who
> are (l)
> able to travel the world to collect these "winners" or (2) pay some
> dealer
> (unscrupulous or not) to supply them with these shells so they can
> win!!!
>
> Please don't misunderstand me--this is not sour grapes. Someone who
> wins
> these awards at these shell shows has a lot of time (and money)
> invested in
> their exhibits.
>
> I believe that there are more politics involved in competitive shell
> shows
> than goes on in Washington, DC. (Please forgive me, winners.)
>
> What am I leading up to? I guess I really don't know. As I said,
> I've seen
> the hurt, sarcasm, name calling and everything else that has gone on
> lately on
> this List. Do I think my feelings about competition at shell shows
> will make
> any difference? Probably not, but I do feel it's time for intelligent
> people
> to get their "stuff" together. Let's enjoy our hobby (to most of us
> it's a
> hobby) stop being competitive, dive, snorkel, walk the beach, buy from
>
> dealers, whatever. But when it comes to displaying what we have,
> let's don't
> have this "cut throat" intelligence that says "WIN at ANY COST!"
>
> My suggestion to stop this madness is to "Exhibit-and Educate-not
> Compete."
>
> Thanks--I got it off my chest!
>
> Carol
_______________________________________________________________
Well said, Carol, and there is nothing as enriching when showing shells
as having a young child visit with you and allowing them to handle some
of the shells. The lights in their eyes make the effort worth it.
Harry
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