by Chuck » Mon Apr 22, 2024 12:10 pm
Ironically, the technology that has made production of MONA-type publications much easier has also killed hardcopy. Imagine when MONA first came out- expensive cameras and lights, expensive film, having to pay for publications, collaboration via snail mail. THEN to make a book- scissors to cut images, collate per page and photograph, TYPEWRITERS!, waiting for proof copies, and finally have to order 500 copies in order to even break even.
Now, ring lights are $30, 15Mpix images, photoshop, and MS Word; publications search and retrieval in seconds online; email collaboration and proofing. Instead of loaning specimens, in many cases photos work. Ranges and such are quickly established with iNaturalist and BOLD. Stick the images into publishing software, upload the text, hit "print" and get one copy to proof. OMG.
Of course, the taxonomy isn't so easy now. It's generally expected that genetic analysis is done; arguably no more "opinion." Plus getting access to genetic analysis is expensive, particularly for those without institutional support/ grants.
The dedicated few, no matter what field of study, manage to pull off reference books- or, now, websites. Sharing of knowledge is critical, it's your legacy; so much knowledge dies with the owner, never recorded.
Human nature being considerate? Shakleton wouldn't agree. As Vernon pointed out and solely about MONA, the inconsiderate and unethical activities by professionals isn't new. I too have had my issues with those types in Entomology (to be fair, I've also been overjoyed with others.) Backstabbing and politicing in entomology is NOTHING- I think the Paleontologists make the worst entomologists look like amateurs.
There was a period, say 1950s-1990s when entomology was "more polite." All part of the "everyone gets an opinion" movement. The first published all-out assault that I can think of was Tennent's against D'Abrera, and was wholly justified. Since then, and as of late, I find relief when knowledgeable authorities publish brutal (not polite) reviews of others' works- it's about time. Quit dancing around the bush. Everyone may be entitled to their own opinion, but they're not entitled to their own facts.
Is there a place for new MONA? Who's going to pay for them, and how many? And, while it's true that every reference book has errors and is outdated on the day of publication, the rate of change now is outrageous. Plus, there's the internet for now, which is fast, easy, and free. However one gets the information out, and clearly despite the sometimes caustic entomological ecosystem, at least some- John, Vernon, Adam- actually do it, and to them we are forever indebted.