[Taxacom] Video clip on the importance of taxonomy..

[John Grehan]

Quite amusing, as well as engaging - although whether 'cybertaxonomy' is
the answer or not remains to be seen. The relative loss and continuing
decline of taxonomy positions in universities and other institutions
seems to me to be the real problem. The subordination of morphology to
molecules only seems to have accelerated this decline. 

The video correctly emphasized the need for open access to specimens.
How will this happen when the opposite is the reality in many cases -
even the critical fossil holotypes are not openly accessible to
specialists in the field of human origins. It is my (admittedly
isolated) view that this is one of the most critical issues that
undermines the credibility of phylogeny and taxonomy as a science. Yet
the practice appears to be condoned by the institutions of science by
the way funding is provided to specialists who employ this practice.
I'll get off my soapbox now.


John Grehan


> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu [mailto:taxacom-
> bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Nico Franz
> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:59 AM
> To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> Subject: [Taxacom] Video clip on the importance of taxonomy..
> 
> Hi all, maybe you haven't seen this video clip yet..
> 
> http://www.planetbob.asu.edu/
> 
> Cheers, Nico
> 
> http://academic.uprm.edu/~franz/
> 
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