For those who work in a Natural History museum, as I do, I would suggest that we also stay true to our mission and focus. As museums dedicated to science, we need to present information based on science. While we ought to remain respectful in our interactions, it is also good to show where we stand and not give in where we should not do so. I have been asked occasionally if it would be ok to “present the other side of the story,” or “discuss the other theories on evolution.” I have always politely answered that it would not be ok to discuss the theory of evolution and the creationist point of view on equal footing. Doing so would imply that the latter has the same scientific basis as the former. Since it does not, one ought to acknowledge that in these types of exchanges.
We have had many presentations on evolution at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We have had people who came up and challenged us with their own views. We have always treated people with respect. I attended a symposium recently and one of the speakers reminded us that science (and the acceptance of science) is not an exercise in democracy. By that he meant that we cannot simply do away with evolution by holding a vote. Evolution will continue to take place even when a majority of people decide that it does not exist.
Dirk Van Tuerenhout
Curator of anthropology
Houston Museum of Anthropology
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list on behalf of Patrick McQuillan
Sent: Fri 11/20/2009 10:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: museum responses to the Evolution/Creationist debate
Hello All:
I think the important point to keep in mind here is timing. I think a
lecture on anything IS the time to present your point of view. However,
there is a big difference between interrupting the speaker/movie during
their presentation so that you can interject your viewpoint. That's
kinda rude no matter what side you are on. (Its wouldn't be considered
appropriate to interrupt someone you agree with [during their]
presentation just to expound on how much you agree).
The appropriate time to do that would be after the
talk/lecture/presentation/movie during a set question/answer period.
Which, by the way, should have a set time limit that the audience is
aware of.
So at the beginning of the presentation tell the audience that "there
will be time for questions and answer at the end, please hold all
questions/comments until the end. Thanks." And then just before the
question/answer period tell the audience "We now have 30 minutes for
questions. Who is first?"
It won't remove interruptions, but it will limit them. If you get an
interrupter, you have more authority with the audience to say "Hey, hold
on there. We will have time at the end for questions/comments please
hold your comments until then." And if they don't comply warm them that
you will escort them out and if they don't comply, escort them out. The
rest of the audience will appreciate you for doing that.
Most folks who disagree with a presentation are still courteous enough
to want to hear all the info that they disagree with so they can refute
it. An interrupter, bothers them to.
Oh and keep a sense of lighthearted humor. "Yes sir that is a
fascinating point of view. We would all love to stay and discuss it for
hours. Unfortunately, my boss/the state of Florida/the Governor says we
have to close at 9pm ... because they want me back here at 8 am tomorrow
for school programs. My family would appreciate getting the chance to
see me in passing."
Just my two cents.
Patrick McQuillan
Education and Outreach Specialist
IRIS, Washington DC
Randy Little wrote:
> Candace that is exactly the time to protest. If you don't believe
> in something and you want other to know you don't believe then the
> only time to let them know is when they are all in a room together.
> How much sense would it make to protest the WTO when they aren't there
> to be protested against? How much sense would it have made to
> protest the chicago conventions a week later and in Boston.
> If an organization has a lecture they know will bring protesters then
> that's the price of holding the lecture. There should be a plan in
> place to deal with people that might potentially cause physical
> harm. I would read this mans quotes all day. Such a brilliant mind
> wrapped in such pain. His words on protesting are so wise though.
> People of morals have to stand up for there morals whether they differ
> from yours or not. Other wise they aren't morals. (thats me not Phil)
>
> http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/phil_ochs.html
>
> Randy S. Little
> http://reel.rslittle.com
> http://imdb.com/name/nm2325729/
> http://www.linkedin.com/in/rslittle
>
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 11:24 AM, Candace Perry
> <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
>
> Okay. But there is a time and place to voice your opinion. I
> expect a museum lecture is not that time. If it is billed as an
> open forum discussion, then of course, one can expect to have
> dissenting opinion. However, hooting and hollering and yelling at
> a speaker doing a presentation is rude and frankly stupid, and
> further proof of the lack of courtesy that seems to pervade at
> least this country today. (can't speak for anywhere else!)
>
> I don't care who is doing the interrupting, they all need to be
> smacked down.
>
> Candace Perry
>
> "I love mankind, it's people I can't stand." Linus van Pelt
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* Museum discussion list
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>] *On Behalf Of *Randy Little
> *Sent:* Friday, November 20, 2009 10:26 AM
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> *Subject:* Re: [MUSEUM-L] museum responses to the
> Evolution/Creationist debate
>
>
>
> I think its funny when people start bashing left and right. Its
> always OK for the left to protest and never ok for the right.
>
> I just finished a working on a documentary about Phil Ochs
> probably one of the loudest and most promantent anti ware
> protester of the 60's. If you called him a liberal he probably
> would have spit in your face. We live in a country where both
> sides get to voice their views. RIGHT OR WRONG. Its just the
> first amendment. Its what makes this country better then most
> countries on Earth. We Limit NO SPEECH. I once saw a bit about
> a Jewish lawyer that defended the rights of Nazi's to speak in
> public. Its the responsibility of the majority to protect the
> rights of the minority. Even those that want to believe and say
> things we don't agree with ESPECIALLY if we don't agree with it.
>
> I look forward to those that would disagree with me as it give me
> the opurtunity to learn things I have never know. Like I never
> knew the Dali Lhama basical had an entire slave class, Dones't
> justfiy the 2 million people killed by the chinese but it sure
> isn't something the free tibet people ever mention. Be open to
> all those that oppose you and be willing to listen with respect
> when possible and have an open a mature debate on the issues. You
> never know you might change ONE mind. or you might learn
> something you didn't know about why they think the way they think.
>
>
>
> Randy S. Little
> http://reel.rslittle.com
> http://imdb.com/name/nm2325729/
> http://www.linkedin.com/in/rslittle
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 9:06 AM, Massie, Amanda (PEB)
> <[log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
>
> To all those lumping every person who has more conservative
> leanings into one group that lack respect for a polite debate is
> acting as rude as those who disrupt your debate. Any museum that
> promotes a controversial exhibit or program should have a plan for
> how to deal with people who disagree. To say that it is only
> right-wingers that disrupt the peace is rather naïve. I
> appreciate Deb Fuller's unbiased, non-political response. I find
> the way a few of you have used this list serve to voice your
> political frustrations a little inappropriate. Though you may
> believe that your audience comes from one side of the political
> spectrum, there are people from the all walks of life that enjoy
> art and enjoy scientific discussion. I would hope that not for
> profit museums are open and welcoming to all of them and would
> treat all disrupters equally.
>
>
>
> */Amanda /*
>
>
>
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--
Patrick McQuillan
Education & Outreach Specialist
IRIS
1200 New York Ave., NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: 202-682-2220
Fax: 202-682-2444
www.iris.edu
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