ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

	I am not certain it is bad for science centers to take a 
stand in favor of science. You could invite folks to discuss the 
issues using Gores film as a basis. Yes, he slants the argument but 
he does not distort the science.

Martin




>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>>>>>  Ican see your point about making sure a balanced approach is used. I
>think it would be our job as science educators to be sure we use something
>like this DVD to open discussion and provide access to as much information
>as we can.
>
>As our president says often "We should be a safe place to discuss dangerous
>ideas." You are correct that we should present objective information. Maybe
>the way to do it with this DVD is to make sure that we provide some context
>when distributing the DVD. We could provide forums for discussing the pros
>and cons of the documentary in terms of how to present scientific results -
>promoting critical thinking and analysis.
>
>I don't know all the answers, I just see an opportunity. Maybe the
>discussion on this list serve can ferret out some of those answers.
>Thanks for the thoughtful response. <<<<
>
>
>
>Just seems to me that it's a bad idea for a science center to screen a film
>made by a very well-known liberal, just as it would be to screen a film made
>a very well-known Republican, or bible-thumper, or moon-landing-conspiracy
>theorist, or anyone else who clearly is not objective.
>
>Like I said, I voted for Gore, and I like his film.  But if I visited a
>museum and saw them screening it, the skeptic in me would immediately think,
>"Okay, this museum has an agenda other than objectivity."  That is not *
>necessarily * bad but it soooooo easily can be.
>
>Let's not all be blinded by the offer of freebies, even freebies that
>coincide with our particular opinions.
>
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-- 
Martin Weiss, Ph.D
Vice President, Science
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111 th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718 699 0005 x 356

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message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
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