Hi Chris,

You hit the wrong chord on the guitar. I have no doubt what so ever that you do a fine presentation, I was just telling you what the people in the audience notice when they go to lectures. As you have attended many and been a presenter yourself, "I think you know" from your own observations how an audience reacts.

Therefore, what I was trying to impart to you was not meant for you individually, just an observation.

A few years ago I wanted to see Max Wyss do a presentation and the topic was on the Landers quake. Every presenter except him were all young women and none of them had their degrees yet and for many it was their first oral presentation. Max gave his presentation at the end of the session. Max was the invited speaker. So the only draw for the lecture was him, not the topic and not the other speakers. Unfortunately, the audience was very small.

It took me a little while to figure out how and why the schedule for the AGU is created in the way it is. They need to have as many people attending as possible, so they do it by bringing in people who they think will draw an audience. Otherwise, they will end up selling passes by the day, rather than by the week. They need to sell as many weekly passes as possible to cover the expense of the event. I always purchase a weekly pass, even though I may not go everyday because its less expensive than purchasing a pass by the day.

I always want to know why things are the way they are no matter what the subject at hand is, because it provides a broader view on life. To make money for science projects someone way up the line has to sell the government or private industry on the idea that this is a good investment. Thus, some scientists are salespeople, though mostly we don't think of them in that capacity.

I asked the editors of EOS is they would have any interest in placing an article in their magazine about earthquake preparedness, because I know from attending the AGU and talking to countless scientists they don't know what to do during an earthquake. I got a NO. Why? Because it is not a scientific matter.

I suppose they are right, as it is what happens after the science project. So while they can show you a high tech map with lots of color showing ground shaking intensities from an earthquake, they won't tell you how to prepare for the earthquake.

Ah, such is life. It keeps the questions as to why anything is the way it is coming all the time. And that is what makes you special, because in sharing what you know, I and others here are always learning from you.

Thank you for your contributions, they are very much appreciated.

Petra