As a non- PhD scientist who worked with a lot of academics, I know exactly how you feel. I was often dismissed and treated as a data collector, even though I had more experience with the local geology
Be careful. a purported out of state eco ngo person here turned out to be a hydrogeologist gleaning info and collecting names. said all the right things, acted all folksy and concerned, we should have vetted vetted and vetted again. this was pre internet tho. so much slower. there were old locals who said in the inimitable NH that way “Dont like ‘im. Dont trust ‘im.” Shoulda listened. Never knew how many ratfuckers there were in the world til that, and years later, Occupy.
It wasnt possible to approach these folks and propose that a coalition of locals and others would be much more powerful in outreach? Why do we all wait for someone else to do the right thing? We know that we have to make connections, so why cant we all make an effort? Its an uncomfortable world for most of us, connecting isnt easy no matter what when there are insiders and outsiders. Maybe it makes a better story to have an us vs them? Just thoughts, not criticism.
We certainly tried. And tried and tried to collaborate. We asked to help work on the comment letter, without credit if necessary, just to get more accurate information into it. We asked to collaborate many times. It's also uncomfortable to be ignored after months and years. We've all worked around each other for a long time in different parts of the desert, but this time it was our own backyard. I also think it is worth writing about this because Indigenous people face this commonly, and you may not be aware of just how common this behavior is. It's not an "us vs. them" story for clicks, it's simply time to start calling out bad behavior on any side.
It is very difficult to be the better person when you’ve been exploited, especially in the heat of the moment. I’m confident they see the larger picture and won’t let this stop them from continuing their good work. Lesson learned.
Ick. So sorry to hear this, but unsurprised.
As a non- PhD scientist who worked with a lot of academics, I know exactly how you feel. I was often dismissed and treated as a data collector, even though I had more experience with the local geology
We are sorry to hear about that, Heather. The elitism only divides all of us further.
Be careful. a purported out of state eco ngo person here turned out to be a hydrogeologist gleaning info and collecting names. said all the right things, acted all folksy and concerned, we should have vetted vetted and vetted again. this was pre internet tho. so much slower. there were old locals who said in the inimitable NH that way “Dont like ‘im. Dont trust ‘im.” Shoulda listened. Never knew how many ratfuckers there were in the world til that, and years later, Occupy.
It wasnt possible to approach these folks and propose that a coalition of locals and others would be much more powerful in outreach? Why do we all wait for someone else to do the right thing? We know that we have to make connections, so why cant we all make an effort? Its an uncomfortable world for most of us, connecting isnt easy no matter what when there are insiders and outsiders. Maybe it makes a better story to have an us vs them? Just thoughts, not criticism.
We certainly tried. And tried and tried to collaborate. We asked to help work on the comment letter, without credit if necessary, just to get more accurate information into it. We asked to collaborate many times. It's also uncomfortable to be ignored after months and years. We've all worked around each other for a long time in different parts of the desert, but this time it was our own backyard. I also think it is worth writing about this because Indigenous people face this commonly, and you may not be aware of just how common this behavior is. It's not an "us vs. them" story for clicks, it's simply time to start calling out bad behavior on any side.
It is very difficult to be the better person when you’ve been exploited, especially in the heat of the moment. I’m confident they see the larger picture and won’t let this stop them from continuing their good work. Lesson learned.