Category Archives: Paleontology

Day One Wrap-Up #2013SVP – New Projects

The first day of the 2013 annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology is in the record books. Well, for me anyway. Others are still whooping it up elsewhere, no doubt. Alas, my east-coast internal clock couldn’t take it any more. I need to sleep.

But before I pass out, I felt that I needed to share with you some highlights of my day, and in doing so, illustrate why meetings like this are so important.Continue reading “Day One Wrap-Up #2013SVP – New Projects”

One Simple Trick to Pronouncing Those Impossible Scientific Names

I might get myself banned from paleontology for this, but I’m going to share a secret.

I know how to pronounce all those crazy scientific names, even ones I’ve never seen before. And I’m going to tell you how to do it too.Continue reading “One Simple Trick to Pronouncing Those Impossible Scientific Names”

A Modest Research Proposal: The Sounds of Paleontology at #2013SVP

I have a research proposal for the attendees of the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP). I need your help.

You see, I know when I’m at an SVP meeting based upon the sound of conversations whether in bars or in poster sessions or anywhere.  Do you know what I’m talking about?Continue reading “A Modest Research Proposal: The Sounds of Paleontology at #2013SVP”

So, You Want to be a Paleontologist?

With any luck, when this post goes live, I’ll be on my way to Los Angeles for the 73rd annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.

I’m a paleontologist. If there was a special ‘I really am a paleontologist’ card, I’d be a card-carrying paleontologist. (We need to make cards. I’ll get on that.)  I have all the credentials – the Ph.D., the publications, the global field experience – that people expect that all paleontologists would have. I even teach paleontology courses at a university

So, naturally, one of the most common questions I get is, ‘How do I become a paleontologist?’ Continue reading “So, You Want to be a Paleontologist?”

Misconception – Paleontology and Archaeology are the Same Thing

Next Wednesday is the first day of the 73rd annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP). In honor of that great event, and on the same theme as my other misconceptions posts, I’m writing this to correct one of two common misconceptions about paleontology.

Misconception – Paleontology and archaeology are the same thingContinue reading “Misconception – Paleontology and Archaeology are the Same Thing”

Misconception – Paleontology is the Study of Dinosaurs and Nothing More

Next Wednesday is the first day of the 73rd annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP). In honor of that great event, and on the same theme as my other misconceptions posts, I’m writing this to correct one of two common misconceptions about paleontology.

Misconception – Paleontology is the study of dinosaurs. That is, one cannot be a paleontologist unless he or she studies dinosaursContinue reading “Misconception – Paleontology is the Study of Dinosaurs and Nothing More”

Costuming for Professional Paleontologists

In less than two weeks is the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s annual meeting. This year, the meeting will be held in Los Angeles, the home of earthquakes, tar pits, and Hollywood.

Crazy though it may seem, one thing I do in preparation for the meeting each year is come up with some manner of wacky costume to wear while there, as part of my professional service.Continue reading “Costuming for Professional Paleontologists”