Re: Dinosaur Magazine

["Steve Brusatte" <dinoland@lycos.com>]

On Tue, 18 Sep 2001 12:14:11  
 Danvarner wrote:
>       Has anyone seen this yet? It was supposed to be everywhere September 
>5, but I haven't bumped into it yet. Von Sholly looked in his chicken coop 
>and it wasn't there either. I'd like to hear a review. DV

You want a review, eh?  Be careful what you wish for!! :-)

I received my copy in the mail yesterday, straight from the publisher because I 
contributed some material for Tony Campagna's article on Bob Bakker (they 
forgot to credit me for the photo...).  

The magazine is 48 pages long, considerably shorter than Prehistoric Times and 
Dinosaur World, but about 20 pages longer than Fossil News (which is monthly). 
The color is very good, the layouts are nice, the photos are cool, etc.  

Now, I suppose my qualms are directed more towards the writing and topic 
selection than anything else.  I truly believe no magazine can be successful 
until they decide to drop the "Bakker-Horner" label.  It seems as if every 
magazine (especially the first issue) must contain an article on Bakker and an 
article on Horner's scavenger hypothesis.  Since there are already some 
magazines out there, this has gotten really boring...

Of course, Tony Campagna's article on Bakker was very well done.  It was a very 
good, brief description of his life and research.  Tony recently completed an 
excellent interview of Bakker than appeared in Prehistoric Times.  I recommend 
checking it out for those of you who haven't seen it.  

HP Josh Smith wrote an excellent article on his recent Egyptian expeditions and 
the discovery of Paralititan.  This is a nice first hand account of the 
excavation, with a splattering of history thrown in.  This is quite possibly 
the best article in the magazine.  

There are also a few well-written articles on new hypotheses and research.  
There is nothing earth-shattering, as we have all discussed this "new research" 
on the list several times.  

Taken together, this gives the magazine a C+ or maybe a B-.  It is obviously 
professionally done, and the authors are all very good.  However, there are two 
fundamental qualms I have: the whole Horner thing and the price.  $5.95 is a 
bit expensive for a magazine of this type...and, of course, it amazes me how 
the media latches onto a scientifically-unbased hypothesis presented over five 
years ago as "new news."  I can't stand some of Horner's quotes.  For example, 
"(The hunting hypothesis) is bad science.  What is the evidence for hunting?  
Just opinion.  Is there any evidence that T. rex ever hunted?  None whatsoever."

Look, I have the uttmost respect for Horner and his research, but does anybody 
agree with this guy?  And, more importantly, will the media ever shutup about 
his hypothesis?

My two cents...

Steve

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Steve Brusatte-DINO LAND PALEONTOLOGY
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