Hello, Mary -

The issue here


On 5/31/05 10:07 AM, Mary Rogers's electrons arrived as:

> Hello Everyone,
> 
> I have been hearing a lot lately about ID...mostly by way of various groups
> (radio stations, etc.) making fun of ID believers.  Now we have listers
> calling the showing of this movie at the Smithsonian shameful and horrifying.
> Although some would call people who believe in ID narrow-minded, I am feeling
> compelled to put that same label on those who are bashing those believers and
> also those who are so concerned about this situation.
> 
> My comments and questions:
> It sounds to me like no one is going to be FORCED to watch this movie at the
> museum.  Those who want to watch it may do so.
> 
> Individuals may choose to believe in whatever they want, no matter how
> ridiculous I think it sounds.
> 
> Aren't museums the perfect place for this type of exchange to take place?  If
> not here, then where?  Do we think that because we don't like what these IDers
> are saying that we shouldn't let anyone else hear, either?  Isn't it our
> mission and job to present ideas?

I don't know of any museum whose job is to non-selectively present all
ideas.  Museums are not newspapers -- are not simply reporting with cheerful
balance on the competing ideas of the day.  Museums have focus and points of
view, and they must be wary about to whom they grant, by association, the
credibility of their name. In the context of a disturbing national trend
toward distorting the natural sciences so they will appear to support the
claims and agendas of supernaturalist organizations, it is incumbent upon
institutions such as the Smithsonian to maintain the integrity of their
mission -- which at the Museum of Natural History is to conduct science and
educate the public about the world according to the discoveries of
scientific methodology.

> I tend to be somewhat skeptical, but I think that most big-money donors to
> museum have some type of agenda for which they intend to use the museum to
> further. Isn't this the way the world works?

We should expect more, and act when we can.


_____________________________________
S t e p h e n    N o w l i n

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Vice President,Director,
Alyce de Roulet Williamson Gallery
Art Center College of Design
1700 Lida Street
Pasadena, CA 91103
626.396.2397
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