In a message dated 00-09-26 16:58:58 EDT, William M. Greaves writes:

<< Boy I hope this was a spoof!
 Is this telling us something about the museums? >>

Well, yes, when someone introduces a piece by saying it was written by a
comedienne, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be humorous, possibly
even a spoof...although I don't quite understand why the sender would then
append a disclaimer saying that the "views" expressed were solely those of
the sender..  Did he get permission from the author or newspaper to quote it?
 Is this what we postmoderns call appropriation?

The piece certainly is about children and the ways they can frustrate and
surprise parents and subvert their assumptions.  But I think it's also about
museums and museum folks who kid themselves with their (a) zealous or (b)
smug assumptions that their exhibits are really enthralling to the majority
of younger visitors.  I hope museum people are perceptive and realistic
enough to "get" that aspect of the joke.  Many a true word is spoken in jest.

The section that really resonates with me is the one about museum shops,
since I've known several kids who hate museums but love museum shops.
Sometimes it seems that the most salient educational experience kids derive
from museums is the lesson of consumerism.

David Haberstich

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