> when you see a picture of an >object on your computer screen,you're addressing a surrogate for an >object, not the object. Am I to understand there was no difference >between the two? Good question...thought-provoking! I view objects (and other cultural resources) for their information potential, including their ability to touch something deep inside and inspire me. In many museum settings the opportunity to touch, stroke, and heft an object is prevented by plexiglass (and guards), so my "experience of the real thing" is already somewhat truncated. While I still thrill at experiences of being in the presence of a "piece of the true cross" (the Treasury Guards flag from Ford's Theater, for example) many exhibits fail to inform me as well as the coffee table book would...or a well-done presentation on the Web. Cheers, Tom Vaughan \_ Cultural The Waggin' Tongue \_ Resource [log in to unmask] \_ Management, [log in to unmask] \_ Interpretation, 11795 County Road 39.2 \_ Planning, & Mancos, CO 81328 USA \_ Training