tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post170621097293074374..comments2024-03-27T04:46:33.198-07:00Comments on Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues: PAS on BBC2's EggheadsPaul Barfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-19410977823083212622015-01-21T10:58:05.822-08:002015-01-21T10:58:05.822-08:00But if you look, metal detectorists don't need...But if you look, metal detectorists don't need leadership. They are led by the naysaying and secretive oiks that run their forums, clubs and the NCMD etc. ("Get off our case"). Have a look at how they inevitably react at every possible manifestation of the PAS setting any kind of standard, and you will see why the PAS can never be a solution to the MD problem in the UK. Paul Barfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-54299460467748094632015-01-21T09:40:57.273-08:002015-01-21T09:40:57.273-08:00I think you make good points - PAS leadership migh...I think you make good points - PAS leadership might be afraid of offending the collectors but their first priority should be to issue an official comment on the situation. In other words - leadership. If you want to have people follow your recommendations you have to lead. And that means having standards that those involved with the organization follow. From collectors to FLOs to PAS leadership. So that seems a problem. That and resources. Not just money (though I'm not sure there is a lot of oversight happening there frankly), but the right people.Brian Curtisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10447566502495644288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-39366838313571233412015-01-21T05:00:26.103-08:002015-01-21T05:00:26.103-08:00Well, there are several points here. Yes, I am not...Well, there are several points here. Yes, I am not the only one well aware of the "special circumstances" under which FLOs and the PAS work. <br /><br />My reaction to that however is to say they and we should jolly well all be trying to change that, and if the way they've been doing it now for seventeen years is not working, well, let us take another approach rather than just shrugging shoulders and feebly saying "but you don't understand the problems we have".<br /><br />Except they never do. Experience shows that the PAS will be the last to admit it, and the last to engage in any kind of discussion of these issues (as we have seen over the case of the "a certain FLO" where PAS remains utterly silent). The PAS should be the first of course to point out the problems and issues, but somehow it has worked out a disappointingly different way. <br /><br />The management is taking the PAS the only way it sees that it can I guess. <br /><br /> Paul Barfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-24609639641340256082015-01-20T21:36:25.063-08:002015-01-20T21:36:25.063-08:00Ooops, deleted by mistake (answer to follow):
...Ooops, deleted by mistake (answer to follow): <br /><br />Brian Curtiss has left a new comment on your post "PAS on BBC2's Eggheads": <br /><br />I wonder about your last statement. Do you feel that PAS truly wants to engage people who destroy the cultural heritage? Or do you mean that is what they are doing through poor management or their mission? There may be a disparity between the intent of the mission and the execution of itn. Are you assuming the intent of those trying to create a workable system or commenting on their success/failure? There is a difference, and it's ill-advised to paint with too broad a brush. Do you know any of the FLOs? What's their take? Would you invite them to perhaps respond to your points in a way that encourages them to do so, or do you think you discourage that? I appreciated your comments about how hard their job is.It seems so to me also. Sometimes your criticism of a particular FLO of late has possibly obscured the fact that their job is not easy. Would you be willing to be an FLO? It must be a tough spot to be in. Your point that perhaps the money being spent is not achieving the goals it was meant to is a good one. But it's also the easiest way out to sit on the sidelines and comment about the job done by others, when you are not in their position. It was refreshing to see you recognize the challenges faced by the FLOs. You put a lot of people off by your acerbic style, but I do find in your blog an occasional recognition of the challenges and that gives your perspective greater power. Others might not see that, but I did and I applaud you for posting an entry that allows readers to see that you can appreciate the complexities of the situation and to some degree at least can have some sympathy for what I also regard as a very un-eviable position to be in for the FLOs. Sometimes, allowing others some understanding does more to advance your cause than any critical commentary. Thanks for the post. I read your blog regularly and appreciate the work you do and I like seeing posts that don't immediately alienate people but rather encourages a civil dialogue about the issues.<br /><br />Best regards,<br /><br />Brian <br />Paul Barfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-47408288865925089162015-01-20T20:28:01.223-08:002015-01-20T20:28:01.223-08:00Paul it's nice to see your balance in commenti...Paul it's nice to see your balance in commenting on the tough spot the FLOs are in.Brian Curtisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10447566502495644288noreply@blogger.com