Real-Life Decision Making
You have been working as an ethnobotanist for more than 10 years. Three
years ago, you decided to leave the university where you were teaching and
become a consultant. The decision allows you to choose the types of companies
and projects you want to work with.
One of the projects you have decided to work on is studying the uses of
plants native to the Mexican deserts. You found that despite the barren nature
of the desert, there are many useful plants there. You enjoy spending time
with the elders of the village in which you are studying.
You compile the information the oldest members of the village
have regarding their past uses of several varieties of plants. This means
that you spend hours talking to and recording conversations with the village
elders. You will later makes notes on these talks and eventually write a report.
Your days and nights are spent socializing with people whose way of life
has changed drastically over the past few decades. You find the work truly
fascinating. The village elders have insight to the past that will be lost
if not recorded soon.
About six months into the assignment, you receive a letter requesting your
help on another project. The new project will allow you to work with the people
of Iceland. You will learn how they use the plants native to their island
and how they have used them in the past.
You are excited about the assignment. You will be finishing up in Mexico
in just a few more weeks. You have always wanted to go to Iceland and to learn
why, until recently, the country had no trees taller than three feet.
But as you read on, you realize the company which sent you the letter wants
you to start on the Iceland project immediately. They have a tight deadline.
You would have to leave Mexico on the first flight you could catch.
You want to go. You could come back to the Mexico project when you are
finished in three months. You are well ahead of schedule on the work that
needs to be completed.
However, if you leave now, there is a chance that the village elders may
pass away. They may not be as comfortable with you as they are now. You would
miss information that might be vitally important in the study you are trying
to complete. Plus, each day that passes takes with it memories the elders
have been carrying in their heads for decades.
What do you do?