Archaeology's crossroad; working together or striding apart?

[RedEarth]

I'm intrigued by the idea that archaeology can be something else, though. Can it transcend the current cult of the commercial that we all swim around in, depressed and with gripes that we can never seem to solve? Can it represent something else to society beyond those trudging tours around muddy fields followed by pensioners and middle-aged time-team fans (and beyond half-cocked, dumbed-down nonsense to appease viewers who can understand but can't be bothered to read a book)?

I have to say I'm quite confused by this whole thread. What are people actually asking for, or come to think about it, even talking about. The quoted paragraph seems to sum it up quite well. What do we want? Something different! What exactly and why? Er, not sure and don't know. The cult of the commercial? Things are pretty bad for everyone at present... Representing something more to to society? My introduction to archaeology was largely though trudging through muddy fields, but that was the whole point! What shiny alternative do people expect. It sometimes feels like the measure of public interest archaeology has had over the last few years - call it an extended Millennial fever, the influence of Time Team, or whatever - has never been higher, and yet there is this running thread that it's not enough, as if the public should be compulsorily engaged, forced to attend lectures and museums, seen to appreciate it in the way 'we' do. Hate to break it to everyone, but to most people it is of minimal interest, the pursuit of an interested minority, but you know what, that doesn't actually matter and it doesn't lessen it's value! I have little interest in a whole range of things, but I accept that they have value and are worthwhile. Perhaps just getting on with it would be a good idea? Solving our problems would be better achieved by higher moral standards in some people, rather than a willingness to exploit. We are only 'slaves to the developers' if we allow ourselves to be, a bit of self respect would go a long way.