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Ian,,

I generally agree that 'muscular activity is inversely proportional to 
mental activity' but I'm not sure that's an adequate justication for 
limiting a visitors 'energetic input.' A better justification is simply 
that, that is what is appropriate. In other words, visitors may learn to 
'throttl'e their input as needed, and that's certainly an important 
thing to be aware of.

Let's not be too full of ourselves. Visitors have lives outside our 
walls. They have plenty of opportunities to show their prowess in their 
daily lives. They don't need to show how 'strong, or fast' they are all 
the time.

As we work in our shops we constantly choose tools appropriate for the 
task at hand. Why would we give visitors a pneumatic impact wrench when 
a delicate screw driver is appropriate? It's the same way with handles 
and hand wheels. We could give visitors a crank that could grind rock to 
powder, but is that what we really need to do? We choose the appropriate 
amount of leverage, not to  limit visitors, but because it's 
appropriate. Duh (this 'duh' is mostly directed at Paul, who I love dearly)

JR

\



On 3/10/2013 2:40 AM, Ian Russell wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Paul said:
> "But I also think we should try to leverage (so to speak) museum visitors'
> natural tendencies to see how high/fast/hard they can make something move,
> instead of always trying to thwart them."
>
> A really interesting thought.
>
> The problem is that 'mechanically energetic' exhibits also seem to encourage
> rougher treatment of nearby exhibits, increasing the need for repairs. And
> they cause far more background visitor-noise in other parts of the space
> where a calmer, more reflective ambience might be better.
>
> As a general rule, based on personal observation, I suspect that 'muscular
> activity is inversely correlated with mental activity'. Maybe our
> hand-cranked generators are exceptions, because even a 35w automobile
> brake-lamp requires such a thought-provokingly large energy-input. Come to
> think of it, this is one of the few designs where I have actively encouraged
> visitors to test their strength.
>
> Paul is right, that our easiest option is to avoid providing this kind of
> visitor experience. If we were to offer more opportunities for physical
> exertion, where possible I believe these should be zoned separately, out of
> sight and sound from exhibits requiring more thoughtful, concentrated
> engagement.
>
> Promoting public engagement with science
> through a contagious delight in phenomena
> *
> [log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
> *
> http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/ian-russell/0/636/305
> *
> Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
> Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
> *
> Ian Russell
>
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-- 
Joe R
www.TheExhibitGuys.com


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