RE: The One True King

["Tracy L. Ford" <dino.hunter@cox.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dinosaur@usc.edu [mailto:owner-dinosaur@usc.edu]On Behalf Of no
go
Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2002 8:06 AM
To: MKIRKALDY@aol.com; dinosaur@usc.edu
Subject: Re: The One True King



>From: MKIRKALDY@aol.com
>Reply-To: MKIRKALDY@aol.com
>To: dinosaur@usc.edu
>Subject: Re:  The One True King
>Date: Fri, 05 Apr 2002 17:28:59 -0500
>
>Dan Varner wrote:
>
>< After hearing so many variations of this theme on the DML over the last
>several years, you have to realize that an interesting new phenomena is at
>work here. In Giganotosaurus we have our first case of a dinosaur version
>of a boxoffice mega-flop. >

Reply from MKIRKALDY@aol.com
>Those who disagree with Dan should visit http://www.giganotosaurus.com and
>see what has become of the first website devoted to a dinosaur find.  After
>that,   research the "who is" domain registration site.
>

Reply from no go

There's nothing wrong with Giganotosaurus in itself as an animal, the main
problem appear to be overhype by promoters who wanted a quick publicity
boost by making it into a "T.rex beater" (in fact a rather amusing animated
gif. in the offical webpage showed it scaring off a Tyrannosaurus).
Obviously their touts didn't hold too much water, though Giganotosaurus is a
cool critter in its own respect. Unfortunately if any lessons were to be
learned from Giganotosaurus' unceremonious fall, they seem to be largely
ignored. It seems almost every new large carnivore discovery seems to ride
on the "it must beat T.rex to be cool" bandwagon, only to reveal the much
more disappointing truth later... :P<<

My comments

There is one vary vary important detail that must be addressed and that is
what all this hype brought, that is interest! Not only in the scientific
community, the lay person, but FUNDING! Yes, funding. South America has a
Paleontological budget of you and I going to a dozen movies (with drink and
popcorn). They don't have the money. Their museums are und down or in a big
building (except now for Coria and his museum because of GIGANOTOSAURUS. And
I like the name. Not every name NEEDS to roll off the tongue of an English
speaking person (that's a superiority concept) and I must add that it rolls
of the tongue of Coria very nicely). I've been to dozens of talks done by
the SA paleontologist and I admire them for the working conditions and how
well they have strived. They don't have an American Museum or a Smithsonian
Institute for funding.

Also, once an animal is said to be bigger than another, the next logical
question is 'was it stronger then the other animal'. Should they just ignore
this? Yes, some of it is Hype, but in this case I see no reason for berating
them for it. And every time a bigger animal is found, the question will
remain the same. I don't think Giganotosaurus is a mega flop. IT is an
interesting animal that is different from T. rex, but is just as important.
IT comes from South America and this is it's 'King' of theropods.

The next time you see Coria or Currie in a talk (unless you do a bone headed
thing like I did and get the days of the talk screwed up and you miss it!
ARRRGGGHHH!!!) and condemn them for hyping Giganotosaurus! For trying to get
funding and promoting your find. I take it from now on when ever a bigger
theropod is found they should just shut up about it because it'll cause the
T. rex fans (which seam to have a superiority complex) to get upset.

(Hmmm, I'm starting to sound like Bill O'Relly from Fox news, fair and
balanced, I must be watching it to much).


Tracy L. Ford
P. O. Box 1171
Poway Ca  92074