The situation isn't new. Flaubert wrote about it in Bouvard and Pecuchet. Well, sort of. I do think curators and other museum folk need to venture out into the world whenever possible. I constantly have to explain what Museum Studies is and often have to defend museums to my otherwise sophisticated, bright and socially/ politically involved friends. Education doesn't stop at the front door. One suggestion: DON'T WEAR BLACK ALL THE TIME :-} Robbin Murphy NYU/Museum Studies Managing Editor, ArtNet [log in to unmask]