In 1820s Germany, the only guys documenting every beetle were basically the idle rich. The average person was working 12 hour days on a farm, or weaving cloth, or sorting through sewage for something useful.
This is also why the modern trend is making YouTube videos. The people who do that are frequently hoping the channel takes off and they can get paid. It’s not just public service or documenting an interest. The scientists of the early 1800s were frequently people who didn’t have to work. They had estates that generated money for them, allowing them to pursue science as a hobby.
In 1820s Germany, the only guys documenting every beetle were basically the idle rich. The average person was working 12 hour days on a farm, or weaving cloth, or sorting through sewage for something useful.
Well would you rather have the idle rich making gaming youtube videos or documenting beetles?
I’d rather have them taxed so other people can have idle to document beetles or make gaming YouTube videos.
I don’t really care about the idle rich. It’s good when society is rich enough that the non-rich can spend their time making YouTube videos.
…good point
This here. I’ve thought about going the way of old school naturalists, but I just don’t have the resources, chiefly in time.
This is also why the modern trend is making YouTube videos. The people who do that are frequently hoping the channel takes off and they can get paid. It’s not just public service or documenting an interest. The scientists of the early 1800s were frequently people who didn’t have to work. They had estates that generated money for them, allowing them to pursue science as a hobby.