>From: William White <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: more on (or is it moron?) Dr. Gott
>Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 14:55:57 -0700
>
>Geoff Carver recently responded:
>
> > common complaint is that the press is full of idiots who don't know
>certain
> > portions of their anatomy from what we might respectfully call a hole in
>the
> > ground - that journalists etc. always get it wrong anyway, so why bother
>-
>but
> > how often do we take the time to point-out their mistakes (in a
>positive,
> > constructive manner, i hope) so that - maybe next time - the reporters
>might
> > make the effort to get a few more of their facts straight - consider it
>an
> > investment in PR if nothing else, or remember the old adage they should
>have
> > engraved on your first computer: garbage in, garbage out...
>
>In agreement, it seems to me that the "PRESS" is part of the public that
>needs to be "educated."  There are several reporters in southern Nevada who
>delight in cultural resource issues.  And although they seldom get the
>facts
>straight (is that artistic license?) as we perceive them, they are open to
>reasonable, discussion.  For example, a leisure reporter some time ago
>announced the location of a rock art site on public land as an isolated
>(seldom visited), therapeutic location to relax and refresh the spirit.
>After upsetting numerous local archaeologists (and Native Americans), this
>reporter was invited to another site that has been thoroughly trashed by
>the
>uneducated and was made aware of what his disclosures could potentially do
>to his refresh-the-spirit site.  Seeing the damage first hand, he said he
>had no idea and appreciated the comparison and enlightenment.  While this
>person does continue to publish locations of sanctioned and controled sites
>to visit, he no longer discusses sites that are off the beaten path.
>Instead of flaming Dr. Gott, honoring him with the title of moron and
>making
>an enemy (armed with a pen instead of a sword), wouldn't it be better to
>establish an open dialoge and convert him, make him see the error of his
>ways?  Is public education not a professional goal or are we just paying it
>lip service?  Convert the press, convert the masses - well almost.
>     Behold the power of PR (remember Nixon).  Look at it this way,
>newspaper
>editors love controversy and in order to sell their version of the truth
>they encourage their reporters to pursue such issues rather than admitting
>mistakes or bad judgement (unless there is proveable negligence and then
>they just drop it).  If the good Dr. Gott receives approval from his boss
>to
>publicly respond to numerous flaming letters, just imagine the
>possibilities
>for the bad press he could muster.  Take for example, POTTY PALACE
>ARCHAEOLOGISTS TAKE ISSUE WITH MEDICAL ADVISE, ouch.  Now don't get me
>wrong, I don't condon what advise he gave or the method he rendered his
>opinion.  The bottom line is to get the man on our side, show him the
>enlightend path, and drop the attack on his credibility.  Just a
>thought.......

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