Following on from the various discussions, here's a philosophical thought
for Friday. This morning I caught a programme on Radio 4 (so, yes I wasn't
working) about an amateur ornithologist's quest to get classification and
naming for a new species of song thrush discovered on an Indonesian island.
She had already obtained detailed descriptions, blood for DNA, photos and
video footage but was told that according to the rules of nomenclature and
classification the species would only be accepted if there was a 'voucher'
reference available in a reputable museum. i.e. a dead, stuffed specimen.
After great personal soul searching she went to catch, kill and skin
specimens of what she called a beautiful bird accepting that this seemed to
be the only way to potentially give protection to the species and their
environment. I believe the process is now being dealt with by The National
Museums of Scotland.
I make no comment other than to say that with all our C21st technology and
the prevailing need to seek non-invasive methods of investigation and
recording it was still necessary to kill a bird before it could be
classified.
What does this say about our relationship between the virtual and the real.
Towse Harrison
Sun Jester Consultancy and Historical Interpretation
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