Conservation and fear

[Dennis Piechota]

We fear the journalists and how they usually get it wrong. 

We fear the scholars' critiques even in the absence of their guidance. 

We fear the scientists' rejection of our hasty research. 

And most of all we fear our own colleagues. 

We have all experienced their lash.

So no wonder our field is defensive, 

limiting its breadth to technical, to support. 

No wonder as individuals we just want to be told what is expected of us and then left alone to do it. 

Fear is so much a part of our professional lives we don't even see it. 

But it conditions us and our field to stay small.

Courage. Go big.

Dennis

Dennis Piechota

Archaeological Conservator

Fiske Center for Archaeological Research
UMass Boston
Office: 617-287-6829

ALTCONS Group Admin

an Alternative Conservation Discussion

[Elizabeth Nunan]

I agree - in America especially, many tend to be operating lately from some baseline of fear, related to a scarcity mentality. It is especially prevalent in private-practice, where CIPPers often do not share information with their colleagues (or sometimes even with their clients!) for fear of "giving away their secrets" or giving clients away to your "competition". It is something I see every day on all of the conservation forums and Facebook groups: any posting asking for help is nearly obscured by justifications and pleas for forgiveness for some perceived lack of ability. As if this profession wasn't ever-changing, ever-growing. As if ethical considerations were hard lines drawn, and not ultimately the subjective consensus of stakeholders. 

Each of us must start with ourselves, and our tendency to judge ourselves so harshly - while you may think your self-criticism leads to higher personal standards, it can also turn your critical eye outward onto your colleagues without the benefit of knowing all of the details of the situation. Radical empathy is the path to change. 

Thanks for the discussion Dennis!

Beth 

Beth Nunan

Albertson & Nunan, Inc

www.albertsonnunan.com