Our Colleague Greg McManus shared the following observation:

> Entering a museum for the first time is for some people about as alien an
>experience as that of others entering a strange culture as a
>visitor/refugee/immigrant.

Indeed, and it is high time that we realized it and devoted more time to
examining, researching and recording our (often) bizarre behaviours.  We
have "succesfully" imposed this artificial model of "museum" on widely
differing cultures throughout the world.  Suddenly cracks are begining to
appear, some cultural groups are rejecting it altogether.  At the extremes
of the museum proffession a number have "closed ranks" and now hide
trembling inside their temples, others have begun to recognize that in some
cultures the object has some very different meanings, and that the
"traditional" museum construct is virtually meaningless.  A dreaming place
or house of gods perhaps.

Some may think you're out of line, Greg , I'd say your 'goat' is leading you
down the right path -- happy to walk with you!

Rick Duckles
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