Junto Boys

PROFESSIONAL AMATEURS

This kind of plays into the UFO angle that interested citizens are much more knowledgeable about the phenomenon than are our greatest scientists.

A new breed of demi-expert is evolving, collapsing the distinction between an expert and a tinkerer. Cheaper technology offers amateurs increasingly powerful tools; the Internet allows them to collaborate globally and train themselves more rapidly. The upshot is that amateurs are increasingly holding themselves to professional standards and producing significant innovations and discoveries.

The Linux computer system was created by geeks working without pay in their spare time, yet it now rivals Microsoft's best products. Patients arrive at hospitals sometimes better informed about their diseases than their doctors. And amateur lobbyists promoted the Jubilee 2000 campaign, which helped persuade Western nations to cancel more than $30 billion in third-world debt.

Skywatchers are discovering nebulae from their backyards by peering through telescopes they purchase from the internet. This is real scientific progress. The nebula was there waiting to be discovered and cannot discriminate whether it is Joe Amatuer or Joe Astronomer who first sees it.

Pertaining to the UFO phenomenon in particular, it must be noted that since WWII, nearly all respected scientists are on the government payroll either directly, or indirectly with grant funding. They are not paid to look for UFOs, so there is little wonder that they are not seeing them. Undoubtedly, some scientists are paid to look for UFOs, but are not able to disclose what they find outside of government circles.

When Galileo looked to the skies and saw things that defied conventional wisdom, he was threatened with the stake, despite the fact that the pope was his good friend. Today, when citizens look to the skies and see things that defy conventional wisdom, they no longer fear the stake, risking only ridicule by coming forward. There is good data and debate on the UFO phenomenon in amateur societies far removed from official sanction.

In a way, pro-ams represent a return to our past: until the 20th century, much science was conducted by amateur societies. But the rise of pro-ams also reflects recent social changes. We're living longer, which gives us more time to grow bored with our cubicle jobs and to hunger for a richer life. You find people in their 40's and 50's going back to the things they always wanted to do in their youth.

Thus, Dude, in leaving the workforce, becomes immune to public ridicule and takes up research which is interesting even if not culturally approved.