I know what you mean about the term "amateur", John; but it's perhaps
apropriate to point out that Charles Darwin was an amateur, and indeed many
(most?) important discoveries have been made by amateurs. the definition of
"professional" is one who makes his/her living out of the discipline in
question; this seems to rule out most artists for most of history. Stephen
Pinker ("How the Mind Works") pointed out that as soon as a professional
steps outside his recognised field, he is a layperson; thus most
"interdisciplinary" study qualifies as "amateur".
Lastly, George Bernard Shaw said some thing to the effect of: "every
profession is a conspiracy against the laity."
So, roll on amateurs, and the use of the term other than as a perjoritive, I
say!
Peter Lennox
Hardwick House
tel: (0114) 2661509
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
or:- [log in to unmask]
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