Don't collect in Sri Lanka!

[jhyatt]

e always thought of nirvana as a condition of bliss brought on by not desiring anything - or something like that. Quite the opposite of someone with a net screaming - I gotta catch that one"!

I never viewed myself as on that particular path.

j

Well, neither I, nor probably Nabokov, know beans about Buddhism, I'd have to admit! But I doubt that either of us ever screamed anything upon seeing some particular bug. Quiet concentration is the thing.

[kevinkk]

ok. after all those last posts I need to explain myself perhaps. I'm sorry, maybe I am petty. I don't enjoy arguments. The way I saw it,
the only people involved in the incident were the Italians and the Sri Lankans, dragging other countries into it is comparing apples and
oranges, I can see so much to unpack, but it's not necessary and I would end up being hypocritical.
We don't discuss political opinions here, discussing crime and punishment in a thread may have political overtones, nobody
is going to care about that, a line was crossed and I pointed it out, in fact, I should have never read the "offending" language considering
the thread timeline.
As far as the butterfly collectors that were caught and punished- I've been in other countries ,and In my opinion if you get busted in a foreign
country, you probably get what you deserve. If I was going to be arrested anywhere, I'd choose America, when I was in Italy, my sister warned
me about Italian penal methods, and it didn't sound like what I was used to. So- no Playboy channel in Naples? No.
I thought Nirvana was a band, with a dead singer.

[Chuck]

Let's call it a finish to this subject....

Well, after eight paragraphs castigating him, you had your say and want to call it done. Typical, and divisive.

His point was that we, as scientists, shouldn't have to tolerate oppressive controls over our efforts; that our government(s) should back us, and put an end to this type of government behavior. That he passed over a social line on this forum is not a capital offense, and shouldn't be the focus of run-on attacks.

I applaud him for being supportive of field work. Some of us are ground pounders, and some the brains that write the papers. We need both parties to advance our understanding of the environment.

[Trehopr1]

Chuck,

I happen to feel it is important to keep a watchful eye on the rare thread (here) that continues degrading in content.

Our old forum (prior to Olivier's ownership) saw far too many threads either corrupted by vulgar comments / innuendo or otherwise existing on the "spin factor" of negativity....

Cassidinae, has his own strong opinions concerning this topic but, when he has to be admonished (twice) by two moderators for his strong content then it's time to say ---- enough said.

I am sorry to see that any moderator had to get involved here but, we moderators have to stay vigilant at keeping the forum enjoyable for all.

[Chuck]

I am sorry to see that any moderator had to get involved here but, we moderators have to stay vigilant at keeping the forum enjoyable for all.

Polite moderation- editing the post and noting it as edited, and a PM to the member would be sufficient. There was no need for monologues.

Enjoyable for all...all what? All six regular participants?

[Trehopr1]

I am really quite done "fencing" with you Chuck over this thoroughly exhausted subject.

You have won nothing here.

Posts were edited here (prior to my saying anything) yet, still the negative banter continued. Enough said....

[Chuck]

You have won nothing here.

Oh, but contraire! I have won John Shuey's perspective on collecting and research in Brazil; I have won JHyatt's humor and perspective, I have won the observation by the Cassidinae that there is an unfortunate and sad lack of support for field work; I have won an admiration and example for Adam's concise and adult approach to moderation. I am, as always, richer for the insights of those whom I consider more experienced colleagues.

[Skandinavisk]

Four years later, it's time again.... sad

[wollastoni]

I personnally think it is a very interesting topic.

It's only natural that a story about entomologists imprisoned for hunting without a permit in a national park should lead to digressions on both the ridiculousness of certain anti-science legal rules over the world and the irresponsibility of certain entomologists. That's how a forum discussion works.

Please keep it "friendly" guys...

[Cassidinae]

Why does one simple posting that two collectors in Sri Lanka were busted by the government and fined for collecting insects in national park areas cause you "personally" so much bother and unrest ?

Probably because it will very soon be the cause of the demise, not perhaps of entomology as a whole, but certainly of entomology as a hobby. Already today, at least in some European countries, there is an outflow of new people interested in entomology,...

[kevinkk]

, not perhaps of entomology as a whole, but certainly of entomology as a hobby. Already today, at least in some European countries, there is an outflow of new people interested in entomology,...

Part of any "demise" is the lack of an open door in respect to education. Entomology doesn't get the same treatment as Paleontology, Astronomy or
Botany. When I was young, back in the olden days, I was in our local newspaper twice for the hobby as a human interest. Each time we had the paper print contact info, one time I got a call from a 4H member that had some materials that she was wanting to get rid of, a field box and other stuff.

In 1976, I was a volunteer at the newly created Insect kiosk at the Washington Park zoo in Portland, only a couple other kids volunteered, and only
one had any knowledge, so, out of the entire city and tri county area in northwestern Oregon,only me and 1 or 2 kids that wanted to be involved with the Insect Zoo kiosk. That's a poor success rate. Nowadays, I wouldn't know where people would get exposed to Entomology, it should be easier today with the internet and video everywhere.

I have noticed some interesting laws in the EU when visiting the Actias site, but with increasing populations there are going to have to be rules so nature isn't decimated by hordes of whomever The only way to get laws in your favor is to advocate for them, I know for a fact that 1 person can change city hall if they are articulate and factual with argument, although sometimes they pass new rules with being asked, or taking a vote.