I feel that engaging in a dialogue is vital in a museum setting.  DIALOGUE.  Mere presentation of opposing viewpoints and hoping that someone "sees the light" is insufficient.

Not to get off on a rant, but I have observed that the unwillingness to enter into an informed dialogue, and then subject it to the scientific method, is what causes viewpoints to "win." (if you subscribe to AlterNet, there's a great piece of writing by Bill Moyers posted there today) Let's not let our museums get sucked into a similar trap.  If science museums feel that certain viewpoints aren't scientific, but philosophical, then engage in the dialogue to draw that out.  "Rising above" a necessary discussion does not translate into a triumph for the unspoken viewpoint...quite the opposite, in fact.  Trusting that unreasonable positions will somehow fall out of the public consciousness on their own is a bit naïve...if there is no dialogue, how will anyone know that a certain way of looking at things has any opposition?

Keeping artifacts safe is great, but museums also have the duty of interpretation. Artifacts tell many stories, and so should we.

Julia Muney Moore
Public Art Administrator
Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 875-5500 x230
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matthew White
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 2:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Smithsonian / ID Movie (LONG)

...However, I feel no compunction to engage the author or editor in direct debate for the sake of balance or dialogue.

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