ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Jeff Courtman is concerned that in some art-science presentations the science 
becomes only a "subservient tool." I would suggest that science and 
technology are always subservient tools. Science's purpose is to help us understand our 
experiences of the world; technology's is to help us make and do useful 
things. From that point of view, if the science or technology in an exhibit or 
activity is integral to accomplishing one of those ends, then it is really being 
presented in its proper context. There is a difference between 
science/technology being integral to an interesting and enjoyable activity and sugar-coating 
(or pill-in-peanutbutter).  In the latter, the activity bears no relationship 
to the science/technology except to make it somehow more palatable. The 
science/technology is presented in a false context and as an end in itself (which it 
is not). 

Ted Ansbacher
Science Services
29 Byron Ave, White Plains, NY 10606
914-328-5407     [log in to unmask]     www.scienceservs.com

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