View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
|
Posted: Apr 03, 2008 08:42 Post subject: Re: The New Generation |
|
|
Well, it seems that I have given birth a hydra! ;-)
This topic is generating several different topics inside it. So, I will start a new topic and I will name it as: Female collectors.
Also, Gail, could you start a new topic named Gail's collection?. If yes, I would create a new section named "Women's private collections" where women that she wish to do it, are invited to delight us showing pics (or just describing them if they prefer don't publish photos) of their favorite specimens from their collections. The start of this topic would be the Gail's collection topic if she be so nice to offer us some pics of their specimens. TAK, of course you are invited to join us too!
The idea is not as a kind of race among best specimens, just the more loved specimens for any reason, although those specimens are not "top".
What do you think?
Jordi |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 03, 2008 08:49 Post subject: Re: The New Generation |
|
|
Jordi, that would be delightful. I believe you might be surprised what some of my favourite minerals are. ( Not all are glitter and pizazz! )
I wanted to show my home so that you can see how we love our minerals enough to want to see them always. We love to show our minerals and educate novice collectors, so would love a chance to show the variety of beloved minerals that thrill me.
Gail _________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tracy
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 551
Location: Toronto
|
Posted: Apr 03, 2008 09:43 Post subject: Re: The New Generation |
|
|
I am a bit rankled by the misconception that all women care about with respect to minerals is esthetics and metaphysics. I am even more bothered by the (underline) generalization that women do not like dirt, bruises, and clutter. Please can we get rid of these notions?
I am a female scientist and a former ice hockey player. I am interested, above everything else, in knowledge. I live in a house that is full of piles and clutter (I have no garage). I do not care at all about getting dirty, picking up some bruises, keeping my house pretty, or running out of storage space. Metaphysics is a curious thing to me but not something that I believe in.
Collecting to me is not intended to be a social pasttime - neither was hockey. With hockey, I love the sport but also am awed at times by what the human body is capable of doing. With minerals, they can be beautiful but it is also fascinating to try to understand how they form and the geological/crystallographical factors that shaped their existence. If I could, I would be crawling around in mines every weekend. I regret often that my career path took me into life sciences, and not to natural sciences.
I may not meet the criteria for a "typical" female collector - if there is such a thing - but I'm sure there at least a few other women who have a collecting style similar to mine. Please do not assume or conclude that women just like to eat cake and say "ooh what pretty rocks." Female earth scientists/cholars are a minority and always have been, but they exist - and can be as influential - as males.
Grrrowl! _________________ "Wisdom begins in wonder" - Socrates |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 03, 2008 09:53 Post subject: Re: The New Generation |
|
|
Gail, being both on the speaker circuit and as a Forum moderator, can you share your experiences about passing the torch to "Internet scholars" versus face-to-face interactions, and keeping the energy from dissipating (as Jordi put it)? I am curious to know the pros and cons of each and/or your overall point of view.
Thanks
Thank you Tracy, I will do my best to elaborate.
I am new to the Mineral speaker circuit, by the way, but hope to be doing a lot more of it in the future. ( I have been on the speaker circuit for Parks and Recreation as a Chair of a city parks board. I have also been on the speaker circuit for bicycles as alternative transportation and bicycle advocacy, so am not new to public speaking. )
As a moderator of a women's forum, I will take that experience and apply it to this answer.
Internet scholars, well....the internet has opened up a world of discovery for, not only men, but women as well...and it is evident! I saw a need for a women's forum, however, when so many of the women writing and talking to me were stating that they were not willing to ask questions or speak up at their local rock clubs or on public forums due to baklash from some of the ( less than nice, shall we say? ) posters.
When they see a group of men who constantly challenge each other to "guess what this mineral is and where it is from?" they shy away because they don't want to appear stupid. The internet is a place to buy and remain incognito, an important factor for some women who wish to stay in the wings and not out front. ( Unlike you and Me eh Tracy?! )
As much as I love the internet, I can't ever give up the social aspects of the shows, the direct face to face encounters of talking with experienced mineral lovers/collectors/dealers. There is a wealth of knowledge that can only be found by talking with someone, seeing their facial expressions, their eyes light up, etc.
This is what I want more women to do, come to shows and learn to talk the talk.
So many of the wonderful men and women that are active in the mineral shows are very happy to answer any questions, no matter how simple they might seem.
And the fact that women don't like to go to shows alone can be resolved with a network of communication and a way to pair up with other women in close proximity. ( One of my big goals, keep women in touch with other women in their areas. )
Women ARE different, not all...some think and act like men and can't abide the thought that women seem to make things tough on themselves. But it is a case of "it is what it is" and by coming to shows and meeting people it will make it a year in and year out adventure and social time.
Not sure if this is what you had in mind, but I think there is a place in both worlds, the internet and the face to face. Nothing like picking the brains of a mineral enthusiast who has been around for a long time!
Cheers! _________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 03, 2008 10:05 Post subject: Re: The New Generation |
|
|
Oh, and Tracy???
I was a state champion road racer and mountain biker, both. I got dirty, I got bruised up and I got stitches a lot!
I love dirt, even have a bumper sticker that states "Girls Love Dirt! " from my many years of racing mountain bikes.
I don't care about getting dirty, my nails are not manicured because when I need to work on my tractor and change the oil, it would make me miserable. So I am like you, I can clean up when I need to, but I love playing in the dirt!
My girlfriend plays Hockey in Houston, she is also a mineral collector. She is incredibly feminine, but loves to get dirty too!
I certainly never assume anything about anyone till I meet them and get to know them.
And I love aesthetics, but I love the science too. And I never even think about metaphysics other than a room full of minerals sure makes me feel good?
Ha ha!
I think perceptions are changing and I aim to make sure I help those old misconceptions go bye bye.
Cheers! _________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tracy
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 551
Location: Toronto
|
Posted: Apr 03, 2008 13:24 Post subject: Re: The New Generation |
|
|
My bumper sticker used to read "be kind to animals - hug a hockey player" - but that's totally off-topic.
Lest anyone think me a total slob, let me qualify part of my rant by saying that I don't care about it pretty enough to get in a magazine, but I DO care that it's clean! :-) - not always easy when you're a collector though.
Also I apologize for not reading all the postings this morning, I missed Jordi's announcement of a new topic. Thanks for the invitation - I have inaccurate photography capabilities but will do my best to post a few photos. One of my all-time favorites is already on the Forum, the fluoroapophyllite that everyone helped me ID. Is it worth saying a few words about why these are our favorite specimens too?
My sign-off this time, instead of "grrrrowl," is "meow."
Tracy _________________ "Wisdom begins in wonder" - Socrates |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Brokenstone
Joined: 29 Jul 2007
Posts: 20
Location: Cantabria
|
Posted: Apr 04, 2008 10:24 Post subject: Re: The New Generation |
|
|
Good evenings, a shade on my previous message, never I have generalized it she brings over of the women, I have spoken always about the women of my environment and of the women that I know. Between them there is none fond of the mineralogy since like I have heeled and her interest for the collections of her husbands in many cases is practically void. Also I have spoken about the European students and about the low index of collect that put betweenthem. The examples that I have put are based on my own experience and lamentably in it of many people, are not things of the past, but of the present.
I repeat my happiness of being able to enjoy opinions, experiences and feminine collections.
Regards
Pablo _________________ Kisses are like as silver or gold nuggets, marvelous, because will be advise at the presence, of the mine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|