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Thanks so much for a great collection of references.  As always, Triver's is a hoot, and the reeling social sciences continue to reel.  It was nice to see Stephen J. Gould's "punctuated equilibrium," added to the list of ho-hum theories, as well.  No area of scientific discipline is immune.

A few years back, science centers were reportedly evolving from 2nd generation to 3rd gen institutions--new, bigger, better, more engaging exhibits--boldly positing scientifically induced learning environments that would boldly sweep aside the dowdy 1st and 2nd gen ones.  In actuality,  we've incrementally gotten better, but failed to demonstrate grand social significance far in excess of what went before, if at all.

I very much love and enjoy museums, but it's not likely they're going to significantly change the world more than the social fabric around them.

Of course, these opinions are mine.

C

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On May 24, 2013, at 9:59 AM, Lorne Covington <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> On 5/24/2013 12:13 PM, Charles Carlson wrote:
>> It makes me think: No matter the topic and ensuing discussion, I suspect there are highly genetically conserved reasons for our lack of social consensus on anything.  It's ultimately and intimately rooted in life's ultimate safety net from extinction--variability.
> 
> Life is always, always, a quest for advantage, even IF it requires cooperation (usually a last resort!).  So I think the evolutionary forces at work here are not as benign as you suggest.
> 
> I am becoming more convinced every day that human society is just flat incapable of resolving any of the larger issues it is faced with, without more clearly, honestly, and unflinchingly understanding our true nature.  But Catch-22, our very nature makes that almost impossible at a societal level - yet I think there is hope if we can understand that nature and craft messages accordingly.  Global warming advocates are using the idea of "Six Americas", that each have to be approached differently:
> 
>    http://www.c2es.org/docUploads/SixAmericas.pdf
> 
> I think these concepts and strategies could be applied in many areas, particularly informal education centers.
> 
> For more on this, I HIGHLY recommend Robert Trivers' book "The Folly of Fools: The Logic of Deceit and Self-Deception in Human Life".  It covers far more areas than just individual human behavior, and while some criticize it for it's chock-a-block mixing of scientific studies and personal speculation, to me that's what evolution theorists are supposed to do (and he always clearly delineates his speculation).
> 
> His blog has quite a bit about deception in science:
> 
>    http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-folly-fools
> 
> Cheers!
> 
> - Lorne
> 
> --
> http://noirflux.com
> 
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