Of course the answer is no. Just because you and I have different preferences does not mean we should forget the hobby because of innovation. New stuff makes thing s easier, for the most part. (Enable is another word that comes to mind.) With each step of making things easier, there are new plateaus that can be reached. The thing most people don't think about is that there is usually something lost at the same time. I prefer to not loose what I have. 95% of the time I can beat the machines anyway. But then, that is only important to me. Others have (and should be allowed) other preferences. I would, however, enjoy seeing the manual abilities preserved and mastered, just as you and I have and continue to do. Now, if the vote is "yes", I suggest that is a vote to get rid of us both. Otherwise, an occasional rant should be expected. Old habits should not die! Brent --- Chuck Hards <chuckhards@yahoo.com> wrote:
Brent, when you and I started in this hobby, it was for "frustrated scientists". The main goal was to further our own knowledge, and possibly contribute to science. Now it seems that astronomy at the "club" level is a consumer and social activity. Telescope and equipment making have become marginalized and no longer really matter; most ATM's these days build carbon-copies of the Same Old Thing. Even learning the basics is eschewed by most folks.
Has our time passed? Is the advice "learn to walk before you run" no longer valid?
Is it time to ride off into the sunset and let the Social Consumers do their thing?
Let's put it to a vote. Everyone on the list is welcome, one vote each.
Should Chuck quit the hobby? Vote yes or no.
If the "YES" votes win, I'm gone. POOF! If the "NO" votes win, you gotta listen to Grandpa for a while longer.
--- Brent Watson <brentjwatson@yahoo.com> wrote:
Yes, Chuck, it seems the way of the future is to let the machine do it all for you. The computer finds the object, guides the photo and "fixes" the exposure when your all through. It almost seems like there is as much work now to find an image on the internet as there is in taking your automatic scope outside and telling it to produce a digital image of your "target".
Oh for the days when you did it by hand! But then, I guess there are still those who have not yet succumbed to the automation. What would the Herschel 400 be if all the objects were found without digital aid?
Gosh, why then it would actually test the observers skill! How unfair to those who don't want to have to make a real effort!
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