In a message dated 00-11-04 20:00:02 EST, T. W. Moran wrote:

<<        David, I still say the comparison does not work; in that Theme
 park/entertainment vs. museuns/education are coming from opposite
 directions and aiming ( I hope ) at different goals. The theme park's
 only consern is getting the coustmers' dollars. Charging what the public
 will bear and giveing as little as they can get by with. I.e. gain the
 highest return on investment as quickly as possible. Where as the
 museum/educational instution is tring to enlighten. >>

Whereas, Harold Needham wrote:

"David has just expressed my own viewpoint with his usual eloquence and
sagacity - far better than I could have! "  Harold, thanks (blush).

T.W., I don't mean to seem argumentative, but I feel my idea still hasn't
gotten across.  Here's one last attempt at clarification.  I'm not talking
about comparing audiences, and I wasn't concerned about comparing the
OBJECTIVES of theme parks vs. those of museums.  I was interested in
audiences' expectations of value.  I had previously written:

"I too would bet that the entertainment and amusement park industries have
done studies about raising and lowering prices--in order to arrive at the
optimum fee for the most profit.  But do you really think such studies would
be useful in helping a non-profit museum decide on "free vs. fee"?  If I
recall correctly, that was the original issue."

My later message was intended as an amendment to the above, because upon
reflection I decided I had missed something.  I don't think a survey of the
theme park or other entertainment-for-profit industries would be useful in
helping a non-profit museum decide on "free vs. fee," as I said, but it
occurred to me that different questions directed to these audiences,
concerning attitudes about paying for diversion vs. free diversions, might
yield the kind of information which could establish the fact that there are
some people who assume that free entertainment, diversion, or activity is of
little or no value.  Such a study would have to include a valid sample of
respondents who are open-minded enough to separate specific content from
value.  Answers from theme park visitors who are just seeking "fun" rather
than a memorable, fulfilling experience and who think museums and similar
educational experiences just aren't fun, regardless of cost, wouldn't tell
you much.

But the issue I'm seeking to address is spending money or not spending money.
 The point of questioning a theme-park audience about issues of value would
be access to people willing to spend a significant sum on a day's diversion.
Do they assume that it takes money to guarantee a high-quality experience,
regardless of nature or content?  I merely suggest that a paying theme-park
or other paid-entertainment audience might have assumptions about value which
could be teased out with appropriate strategies.  I don't know if such a
proposed survey would yield statistically or philosophically useful
information.  I just think it might be a means of getting at whether there
are people in existence who think that free experiences are of little or no
value, not specifically museum-like experiences.  It's not necessarily to
determine what theme-park visitors think of museums, although this might be
reflected in the responses.

David Haberstich

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