".... Healthy debate is always a good thing...."
That's what god invented the internet md'ing forums for
For us geeks to spar about which machine is better, and other md'ing related topics
" .... I'm truly not sure what point you are trying to make here, sorry...."
I was referring to the musing of what causes awareness, rules, scrams, etc..... As in ...
THE INITIAL creation of any such rule. And I'm saying that, no, it's not "people that just went". Because if there were-no-rule then they are violating, then presto, they're not 'breaking rules'. And if they went IN SPITE of a rule, then ... gee , it was already against a rule. So either way : It did not
create a rule.
And bear in mind I'm not advocating tromping on obvious historic off-limits spots (aside from occasional locker room talk). This is only the discussion of "how did rules/laws get started, .... in the first place ?" issue.
" .... You cannot be serious. You really believe that no one would ever bother to see if an activity they see taking place in their presence is actually allowed? You know we're in the USA, yes? .... "
Yes, I'm serious. I think that 99.99% of passerbys don't even notice us, and could care-less, and aren't studied on the subject.
For example: When I first started dating my wife-to-be (in 1998), I told her about my hobby. She was perplexed. She said she could never even remember seeing an md'r anywhere, in her life. It just never occurred to her.
And I noticed when we travel, that if we drive by someone md'ing, I tend to spot them from a mile away. While she's oblivious. Or when we're walking through a park , I'll notice a sloppy divot (that I suspect is the result of an md'r). And I'll point it out to her. But she didn't even notice (was not studying her foot steps, and doesn't even notice or care about these things).
So I believe this is the psychological trick of "projection" : You and I notice these things because (doh) : We're md'rs. And we naturally think that everyone else cares or notices.
Same for if you are a master chef cook, and watching a late-night info-mercial on a cooking tool : You're going to notice slight mistakes. And will assume that "everyone is going to be calling the TV network the next day and complain". But .... seriously .... who else besides a master chef, who has a bee-in-his-bonnet about the correct knife, or temperature to cook a turkey at, even cares or notices ? Same with md'ing , IMHO.
" .... What about those persons who fall outside the norm though?.... "
Yes, The exception will be purist archies, or someone who mows the lawn. Yes: My stance will not provide 100% protection that : "Everyone will love and adore you and I". Granted.
But here's the deal : Going in ahead of time and asking "Can I ?" does not solve this 1% problem. It only makes it worse IMHO.
And as for the 1% : Yes, I wish everyone would roll out red carpets for me/us. But I've come to the realization that we're in an odd-ball hobby. That, yes, involves "digging" and "taking things". Thus: Barring super innocuous beaches or something, this is a hobby where you have to grow a thick skin. And no amount of going in ahead of time seeking blessings, makes this aspect any better.
"... you are again advocating for someone to simply ignore any rule prohibiting metal detecting, and go with the "no one will care" philosophy .... "
This is where it gets complicated : Because when you say "rule" ^ ^ , are you referring to ancillary verbiage which *might* be said to apply ? (Eg.: alter, deface, molest, collect, harvest, etc....) ? If so, yes: I do not construe those things to necessarily apply. And I do not construe those things to mean : "We should go seek clarification".
But if you say "rule" ^ ^ as in : Specific/explicit rule or law that truly says : "No md'ing", even then I have to ask: Where did that info come from ? Because you'd be surprised how often someone fetches a "no" (with his "pressing question") and then floats that answer on social media for other md'rs. Ok, does that constitute a law or rule ?
But sure : If there is a true & specific law (obvious historic sensitive monument), that you can look up yourself, and they care & they enforce, etc... then sure : Stay home.