The Pro-Am Revolution

[anotheranon]

Found through Slashdot: From astronomy to activism, from surfing to saving lives, Pro-Ams - people pursuing amateur activities to professional standards - are an increasingly important part of our society and economy.

Despite the tormented classification of "pro-am", I think the researchers might be on to something here. Though the press release seems to focus mainly on amateur astronomers and open source programmers (which are laudable efforts, don't get me wrong), but I also note there are numerous "pro-ams" in the historic costume "hobbyist" community - some of the best regarded researchers out there don't have the "official" training but out of love and fascination have done their work and ultimately lectured/published papers and otherwise been recognized by professional historians/academics.

I aspire to be a costuming/textile "pro-am"; I'm not there yet because there is so much left to learn. No one topic has obsessed me enough to really delve, but hope springs eternal that one day The One will come for me :)

Comments

[tommdroid.livejournal.com]

though my profession is as a programmer I'm also an amateur in herpetology...and I'm proud to say that we frog/snake/lizard fancier do not make a difference between professionals and amateurs. late night discussions after a nice froglet exhibition does include professionals eagerly receiving advice in frog-breeding from a succeeding amateur and vice versa. it is only natural, and what counts is the result and the amazing animals :)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

That's good to know :) I'm guessing that many natural sciences rely less on "book learning" than on actual experience, and I imagine that many amateurs would be so passionate about their interest that they might wind up with many more years of hands-on lizard research than a grad in herpetology...