This, then brings up one of my pet peeves.  Science is
a personal favorite of mine, and when I think science,
I frequently think science museums.  As a child, I
couldn't wait to get to my father's bookcase and
examine a Time/Life type of book he had on just the
subject.  The corners of the pages were well worn by
my examination.  In spite of what Lawrence Summers
says, women--even young girls--do get science.

As you know, simply as a hobby, I offer the many Muse
lists and have four related to MuseNews- (Art,
General, History, and Science).  The things I offer
are usually things that come across my desk during the
course of the day from various periodicals.  For me,
personally, those of science are my absolute favorite.

But through the years, the numbers of those availing
themselves of the science offerings have been the
smallest in number.  They are faithful to the group
and remain, but the number of those in art v. science
is 3-1.

Like many in my age group, I dropped out of college
the first time "to find myself".  Years later, I
discovered that collge was where I needed to be.  I
was SO glad the first go round I had not completed my
science requirements.  There was so much that had been
discovered in the years in between.  It was absolutely
amazing.  There are new discoveries every day.

When I went to school, there were only 9 planets. 
That was an absolute, a scientific fact.  Look at how
many plants and universes that have been discovered.

It makes me feel good to see this group is so
supportive of the sciences.  I just wish more were.  I
find them absolutely amazing.

If you're new to the list and wish to follow along on
any of the lists, they are:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MuseNews-Science
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MuseNews-History
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MuseNews-Art
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MuseNews-General

I sort of think that, if this community doesn't
promote science, who will?



--- Eric Johnson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Stephen, you raise an interesting point.  Could it
> be argued, then, that 
> scientists should make more of an effort to bridge
> the gap between the 
> general public and their own views?  I keep coming
> back to this when I read 
> all the points of this discussion--that with a
> little more effort on the 
> part of scientists, all of this might not be an
> issue.  "Just want[ing] to 
> focus on the science" no longer does the trick.  I'm
> not talking about 
> "dumbing down," I'm talking about an intentional
> educating.
> 
> (And, I note, museums are the perfect vehicle to
> lead that charge.)
> 
> I have no doubt that the suggestion brings a
> frustrated "Well, of course 
> that's what we're trying to do!" from some readers. 
> But I can't help but 
> feel that so long as scientists take a lofty stance
> that the truth should be 
> self-apparent, they're (we're) going to lose; the
> very lack of 
> "self-apparency" is what prevents the public from
> siding with scientists in 
> so many instances.  Many people don't feel like
> science is something they 
> can grasp; so if someone comes along and derides the
> science, it's not hard 
> to nod along.  That gap needs to be intentionally
> bridged by people who know 
> what they're doing.
> 
> People aren't inherently stupid, I don't think, but
> as a species we're 
> basically lazy (call it energy-conserving).  If we
> think it's important that 
> the public understands the science, it's up to us to
> make it clear for them, 
> rather than waiting for them to figure it out.
> 
> Just my $0.02 on a Friday afternoon.
> 
> --Eric
> 
> Eric D. M. Johnson
> Proprietor
> The Village Factsmith Historical Research &
> Consulting
> http://www.factsmith.com/
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Stephen Nowlin"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 1:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Smithsonian
> out-maneuvered...
> 
> 
>  Scientists,
> stereotypically but true, just want to focus on the
> science -- and they
> believe that by simply practicing science, it will
> ultimately triumph over
> ignorance.  In a different political climate I
> probably would have agreed --
> but now we see how the fervor of religious
> conservatism can begin to get its
> grip on a country, and we watch the spectacle of
> political leaders and
> hopefuls, left and right, tripping over themselves
> to display their
> religious leanings and garner the support of that
> growing bloc of voters.
> 


Indigo Nights
[log in to unmask]

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