I get your point but I question the value of a hobbyists research vs that of a scientists. Documenting beetles as a hobby may mean jotting down their shape and color while a scientist would dissect the thing and index their internal organs. Not saying a hobbyist wont do that, but it will be restrictive to do so. It may require education or special equipment and in the end, will still be less credible work unless published in the same scientific fashion scientists are accustomed to. Fact is, we don’t mind coloring outside the lines in a hobby. I may be wrong here but the areas hobbyists can usefully contribute to are few, so we opt to studying digital worlds instead.
I get your point but I question the value of a hobbyists research vs that of a scientists. Documenting beetles as a hobby may mean jotting down their shape and color while a scientist would dissect the thing and index their internal organs. Not saying a hobbyist wont do that, but it will be restrictive to do so. It may require education or special equipment and in the end, will still be less credible work unless published in the same scientific fashion scientists are accustomed to. Fact is, we don’t mind coloring outside the lines in a hobby. I may be wrong here but the areas hobbyists can usefully contribute to are few, so we opt to studying digital worlds instead.