Wait: Admission to the Metropolitan Museum is virtually (so
          to speak) free. The train is $1.50 each way. Bring a bag
          lunch. The same is true of the Natural History Museum, and
          MOMA costs $40 or so a year...
 
          A computer costs $X, and internet access another $X.
 
          The issue of folks not being able to "afford" the real thing
          is a total red herring, certainly here in NYC. Its much more
          to the point to understand why people choose not to spend
          their money and their time that way. That is a very
          complicated question having to do with education and
          cultural values, and all of that nebulous stuff.
 
          On the other hand, you may well be right: in less urban
          areas, maybe people will find a virtual visit illuminating
          and stimulating, and start a lifelong interest in museums. I
          hope so, and I only can guess that this depends on the
          quality of the "virtual visits" that are created by museums,
          and the increasing ease of use and bandwith of the Net.
 
          Eric Siegel
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