"The extreme always seem to make an impression" : Conflict in palaeontology and suggestions for a solution (*Waters 1988)

Abstract

Now routine, increased conflict between academic and commercial palaeontologists is a fairly recent phenomenon. It is important to compare the history of the science with its modern treatment to determine how the relationships have become strained and for what motivation. A simple proposal for accountability provides a framework to ensure some minimum following of documentation and ethical standards in order to both improve work in palaeontology as well as reduce needless fingerpointing and blame. Without a concerted effort to work together better, chaos will reign, and chaos is what killed the dinosaurs, darling.