Subject: Re: What? Me, a naturalist?
Date: Nov 28 12:06:56 1997
From: Mike Patterson - mpatters at orednet.org




So far as I know, there is no University degree in naturalism (being a
naturalist). A naturalist is someone who, by profession or avocation,
chooses to study the natural world. Naturalism has spawned a theistic
philosophy (deism) and literary movement. It still proves to be the most
economically beneficial kind of hobby world-wide disguised as ecotourism.

And then there's the extreme form of naturalism centering around places
where one can get naked (I, however, lack the requesite amount of self-
esteem to take being a naturalist this far).

>
>Hi Tweeters!
>
>So, exactly what is a naturalist? According to a local paper, *I* am! They
>published an article on a nature trail we have developed at my elementary
>school (http://www.seanet.com/~borealis/Trail.htm). A sentence quoting me
>begins, "Brown, a naturalist...." This came as quite a revelation to me.
>Even the definition in my beat up paperback edition of the American Heritage
>Dictionary qualifies me as one. I'd never thought of myself as one. Bird
>watcher* yes. Interested in native plant life yes. Naturalist no. Weren't
>all those famous folks we read about naturalists? Don't you need formal
>scientific training to be a naturalist?
>
>*I can't call myself a "birder". I completed Tahoma Audubon's Master Birding
>course and I cannot find it within myself to say, "I am a master birder".
>Sounds too much like something you wouldn't want to admit in polite company.
>
>So, what does Tweeterland think it takes to be a naturalist?
>
>Michael B. Brown
>Puyallup, Washington
>H-253-841-4281
>W-253-841-8733
>C-253-208-9588
>borealis at borealis.seanet.com
>
>"...I found myself suddenly neighbor to the birds; not by having imprisoned
>one, but having caged myself near them."
>
> -Thoreau
> _ _
> (o!o)
> ((___))
> " "
>
>
>

--
*********************************
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * What revolutionaries do best
* mpatters at orednet.org * is eat their own young
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters