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Jonah Cohen wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> More pithily, Watson also once said this:
>
> "Many scientists are not only narrow-minded and dull, but also just
> stupid."
>
> Just to put things in perspective,
> Jonah Cohen
> Outreach & Public Programs Manager
> The Children's Museum
>
> "If everyone is thinking alike, no one is thinking."
>          -Bill Walton
>
> -----Original Message-----
>   
>> Did anyone else pick up on this quote from James Watson in yesterday's
>>     
>
>   
>> New York Times? [Context was the opening of the Wellcome Collection in
>>     
>
>   
>> London.] I can't decide whether it's scary, or not important, or just 
>> might potentially be useful in attracting funding.
>> Carolyn
>>
>> ....
>>
>>     
>>> Now 79, Dr. Watson spoke optimistically of progress being made in 
>>> discoveries into genetic ailments, but he also waxed poetic about the
>>>       
>
>   
>>> new Wellcome Collection.
>>>
>>> "We have a large number of fine art museums," he told reporters. "We 
>>> don't have the equivalent number of science museums, so 
>>> congratulations. The United States is a disgrace. There is not a 
>>> first-rate science museum in the whole country. Let's hope that what 
>>> you do here inspires us in the United States."
>>>
>>> He had some suggestions. "Why hasn't Bill Gates built a science 
>>> museum?" he asked. "Or Warren Buffett? I wouldn't have given my money
>>>       
>
>   
>>> to Bill Gates. I'd have built a science museum."
>>>       
>> ....
>>
>> Here's the url of the full article -- (requires registration) --
>>
>>
>>     
> http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/21/arts/design/21well.html?adxnnl=1&pagew
> anted=all&adxnnlx=1182542435-u80FlCPvRIX7X9NRdJlxIw 
>   
>>     
>
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>   
If I get the gist of this, JW doesn't like our science museums here in 
the US. He certainly didn't get into details, so what is really 
complaining about? Frankly, the Wellcome museum seems more  like a 
collection. I would consider that to be an old fashioned idea about 
science museums. If he were to complain that we do not have enough in 
the US, I would agree. At a minimum, there should be one in every city 
regardless of size. Just like libraries. Personally, I wouldn't stop there.

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