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Why is metal detecting wrong?
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mole
210 posts

Why is metal detecting wrong?
Nov 09, 2009, 13:20
I need educating

I thought it might be a good pass time to take up when walking the dog

But there seems to be much controversy about the topic
tiompan
tiompan
5758 posts

Re: Why is metal detecting wrong?
Nov 09, 2009, 13:42
mole wrote:
I need educating

I thought it might be a good pass time to take up when walking the dog

But there seems to be much controversy about the topic



Dog might get bored .
Paulus
Paulus
769 posts

Re: Why is metal detecting wrong?
Nov 09, 2009, 14:01
tiompan wrote:
mole wrote:
I need educating

I thought it might be a good pass time to take up when walking the dog

But there seems to be much controversy about the topic



Dog might get bored .


George has got a point there! Make sure you take the dog's basket with you so it can relax and take in the view!
Paulus
Paulus
769 posts

Re: Why is this question loaded?
Nov 09, 2009, 14:24
mole wrote:
I need educating

I thought it might be a good pass time to take up when walking the dog

But there seems to be much controversy about the topic


There is with some folk. There isn't with others. Look at it pragmatically: use basic ethics and common sense. Contact local archaeo's (or whoever it might be in the neighbourhood) and ask the landowner. If you find owt, good luck! To those who reckon metal-detecting's wrong, one wonders what they think of the recent excellent Saxon finds, and those round Stirling. (perhaps their just jealous cos they aint found owt 'emselves? - only they can tell)

I see it similarly to the issues regarding knives: an excellent tool when used for something good, but can be stupidly applied, without forethought and create real problems. Same with most things really... And in the grand scheme of things, it aint really bad, is it? (metal detecting, that is) - certainly not when compared to such issues as pollution and global warming. Now that's summat to shout loud about - but again, using basic ethics and common sense. How many of us know people who reckon they're 'Green', yet fly here and there for their holiday snaps, drive big cars (sometimes just to the shops nearby for small amounts when the lazy bastards should walk!), yet have the audacity to moan about wind-farms being built in areas cos it might spoilt their view! Idiots!

But if you do find owt in your metal-detecting, take photos (so it shows you've made the discovery), contact your local archaeos, or council - and take it from there!

atb - Paulus

PS - if people start shouting their mouths off on this matter, like silly children, I'd ask them politely to calm down and start again. Some folk are able to do that, others just can't control otherwise unresolved issues.
Squid Tempest
Squid Tempest
8769 posts

Re: Why is this question loaded?
Nov 09, 2009, 14:45
Paulus wrote:
PS - if people start shouting their mouths off on this matter, like silly children, I'd ask them politely to calm down and start again. Some folk are able to do that, others just can't control otherwise unresolved issues.


Slightly inflamatory statement there, don't you think?

As I stated on another thread earlier today, I personally think metal detecting should be illegal. Otherwise the treasure-hunting temptation will always be there for those that don't really know their archeology, and more and more historical evidence will be lost and destroyed by being taken out of context.

If you feel otherwise, fair enough, but I don't see why I shouldn't state my view without being pre-emptively called a silly child.
Paulus
Paulus
769 posts

Re: Why is this question loaded?
Nov 09, 2009, 15:32
Squid Tempest wrote:
Paulus wrote:
PS - if people start shouting their mouths off on this matter, like silly children, I'd ask them politely to calm down and start again. Some folk are able to do that, others just can't control otherwise unresolved issues.


Slightly inflamatory statement there, don't you think?


Naaaahhh. If people start shouting their mouths off, they're akin to silly children - aren't they? Can we actually elicit structured, healthy open-minded discussions when one or more of the individuals concerned starts acting irrationally (i.e., allowing their emotions to override applied logical debate)? For the moment someone falls into the mire of allowing themselves to become emotionally compromised, the issue that's being debated is itself compromised. Irrationality emerges, as relative emotional surges move into psychological 'games' between opposing factions. I'd say that was childish misself. Or perhaps more accurately, it aint the way an adult discussion would move. In the former discursive arena, wisdom would be completely lacking; in the latter, it would be more manifest. Wouldn't you agree?

And we could of course, depending who you were talking to, say that the following remark is a "slightly inflamatory statement...don't you think?:

Squid Tempest wrote:
...I personally think metal detecting should be illegal.


If you say that to metal detectorists, would that not be inflammatory?

You understand what I mean, yeah? It's all a matter of perspective, innit? I appreciate the value of regulating certain practices - much as should be done with more important issues (like banning people from driving to the shops to get some chips, when they can walk...global-warming, etc). But reactionary shouting only polarizes things more & more. And yep - it is childish. Soz if that upsets you (not my intention at all). But, hey - that's only my opinion. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. As someone who's never owned, nor used a metal-detector, I'm looking both ways with clarity and won't allow misself to be overcome by the lack of clarity which unresolved emotional responses elicits.

Squid Tempest wrote:
If you feel otherwise, fair enough, but I don't see why I shouldn't state my view without being pre-emptively called a silly child.


Please don't think I was referring to you. I wasn't at all. (indeed, I was totally unaware you'd written owt...soz...) If you feel aggrieved by my simple use of words, maybe it might be an idea to slow down a little, take a step back, and leave yourself open for wider parameters of debate? Just a thought... Let's not take this issue personally; as the issue itself is much more important than the foibles of our emotional reactivity, don't y' think? Clarity is the best way forward. And I think we as humans would move forward much more effectively with such simple principles developed, long though they make take to grow...

all the best - Paulus (probably talking bollox!)
Squid Tempest
Squid Tempest
8769 posts

Re: Why is this question loaded?
Nov 09, 2009, 15:44
Paulus wrote:
Squid Tempest wrote:
Paulus wrote:
PS - if people start shouting their mouths off on this matter, like silly children, I'd ask them politely to calm down and start again. Some folk are able to do that, others just can't control otherwise unresolved issues.


Slightly inflamatory statement there, don't you think?


Naaaahhh. If people start shouting their mouths off, they're akin to silly children - aren't they? Can we actually elicit structured, healthy open-minded discussions when one or more of the individuals concerned starts acting irrationally (i.e., allowing their emotions to override applied logical debate)? For the moment someone falls into the mire of allowing themselves to become emotionally compromised, the issue that's being debated is itself compromised. Irrationality emerges, as relative emotional surges move into psychological 'games' between opposing factions. I'd say that was childish misself. Or perhaps more accurately, it aint the way an adult discussion would move. In the former discursive arena, wisdom would be completely lacking; in the latter, it would be more manifest. Wouldn't you agree?

And we could of course, depending who you were talking to, say that the following remark is a "slightly inflamatory statement...don't you think?:

Squid Tempest wrote:
...I personally think metal detecting should be illegal.


If you say that to metal detectorists, would that not be inflammatory?

You understand what I mean, yeah? It's all a matter of perspective, innit? I appreciate the value of regulating certain practices - much as should be done with more important issues (like banning people from driving to the shops to get some chips, when they can walk...global-warming, etc). But reactionary shouting only polarizes things more & more. And yep - it is childish. Soz if that upsets you (not my intention at all). But, hey - that's only my opinion. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. As someone who's never owned, nor used a metal-detector, I'm looking both ways with clarity and won't allow misself to be overcome by the lack of clarity which unresolved emotional responses elicits.

Squid Tempest wrote:
If you feel otherwise, fair enough, but I don't see why I shouldn't state my view without being pre-emptively called a silly child.


Please don't think I was referring to you. I wasn't at all. (indeed, I was totally unaware you'd written owt...soz...) If you feel aggrieved by my simple use of words, maybe it might be an idea to slow down a little, take a step back, and leave yourself open for wider parameters of debate? Just a thought... Let's not take this issue personally; as the issue itself is much more important than the foibles of our emotional reactivity, don't y' think? Clarity is the best way forward. And I think we as humans would move forward much more effectively with such simple principles developed, long though they make take to grow...

all the best - Paulus (probably talking bollox!)


I didn't think you were referring to me as such, it was more that I felt you were pre-empting anyone taking an anti-detecting stance. Aside from that, you make some fair points there. I'm all for sensible, open discussion. Not always easy on the interweb though is it? In fact, that in itself is often the problem - it is so easy for a tit-for-tat flame to start from a simple misunderstanding.

I don't agree, however, that stating that I personally think that metal detecting should be made illegal is very inflammatory, even if I were to say it to a die-hard detector fan. I would, after all, only be stating my point of view, not insulting them personally.

As you say, if we're going to discuss this, it'd be good to keep it on a level-headed basis. hope I haven't offended.

all the best to you too mate!
Paulus
Paulus
769 posts

Re: Why is this question loaded?
Nov 09, 2009, 16:19
Squid Tempest wrote:
I didn't think you were referring to me as such, it was more that I felt you were pre-empting anyone taking an anti-detecting stance. Aside from that, you make some fair points there. I'm all for sensible, open discussion. Not always easy on the interweb though is it? In fact, that in itself is often the problem - it is so easy for a tit-for-tat flame to start from a simple misunderstanding.


Yeahhh...I get what you mean! It happens all too often. Some of the folk involved in certain matters get into point-scoring, and the "issue" itself ends up secondary to the people who seem to like the sound of their own voices. Not always o' course, but we've gotta watch out, as it tends to happen quite a lot - which does nobody any good at all. I'd say, tbh, that it plays into the hands of the 'opponents' (not the right word, but y' get wot I mean).

Squid Tempest wrote:
I don't agree, however, that stating that I personally think that metal detecting should be made illegal is very inflammatory, even if I were to say it to a die-hard detector fan. I would, after all, only be stating my point of view, not insulting them personally.


Hmmmm....not so sure there! If anyone can locate a local MD conference in my locale, I'll go along and posit the issue misself and report back on how many black-eyes I come out with!

Squid Tempest wrote:
As you say, if we're going to discuss this, it'd be good to keep it on a level-headed basis. hope I haven't offended.


Not at all. Keeping a level-headed basis has gotta be done. My preference for the occasional 'deviance' (if that's the right word!) is irreverend humour - only when it's needed though (ahem!)

Right - I've got work to do! Mi missis has just handed me a huge collections of Yorkshire Archaeo Journals which arrived earlier & we've loadsa damn books to sort out. Talk later.

atb - Paulus
Penske666
161 posts

Re: Why is metal detecting wrong?
Nov 09, 2009, 17:30
Nowt wrong with it - just those robbing nighthawker bastards giving genuine people interested in history a bad name!

Typical BBC arseholes - one week metal detecting bad (National Trust fops trying to ban it), then good (saxon find), then bad again (nighthawkers this morning )!!!

Just make everyone with a metal detector have a licence and lock the rest of em in clink for a few months :)
Rupert Soskin
234 posts

Re: Why is metal detecting wrong?
Nov 09, 2009, 18:43
I'm probably not going to win any friends here but I think there's a lot of unnecessary fuss. It's important that people have the landowner's permission and of course there should be some serious responsibility if anything unusual is found. But something like another hoard of Roman coins does little to increase our knowledge of ancient history and without the opportunist detector they would most likely remain buried for another thousand years or be bulldozered up by property developers.
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