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

It seems that a museum could be also accused of taking sides and having
agenda by consciously choosing not to offer the Gore film and suffer the
same image problems as NSTA.  It makes me wonder if the best use of our
visibility, the stance that does most good for our visitors and people
in each of our regions is to appear neutral in the face of these
controversial issues.

 - Len



>>> Evan Koblentz <[log in to unmask]> 11/27/2006 11:38 am >>>
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Maybe I'm an image wimp .... but I can foresee myriad problems of
perception.  I'd be very concerned about the opinions of both Joe
Visitor
and professional grant givers.  If either party saw that a museum was
offering the Gore film, then they'd probably (and perhaps rightfully)
jump
to conclusions about who's behind the museum and what's the agenda.

Feel free to tell me that I'm being a paranoid politically correct
nutcase.
:)

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Orselli [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 2:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask] 
Subject: Re: [ISEN] Objectivity

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

Hi Evan,

"Objective" can mean many things.  Most museums and their programs take
at
least an "editorial" point of view.  Personally, I think that's a good
thing.  I don't want to see an animist's sincerely held belief that
rocks
are alive, for example, espoused in a Geology exhibition as an
alternative
view in the name of objectivity.

Gore's film takes a clear point of view, which people are free to
debate or
disagree with (like our current President.) While Gore is a  
liberal, I don't think the science presented in the film is bogus.   
Again, people may disagree on the conclusions drawn from the data, but
isn't
that part of scientific discourse?

All that being said, I'd rather have DVDs offered to interested
science
centers (or science teachers) than sitting in a California warehouse.


On Nov 27, 2006, at 1:47 PM, Evan Koblentz wrote, in part:
>
> 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.

----------------------------------------------------------

Paul Orselli, President and Chief Instigator

Paul Orselli Workshop (POW!)
1684 Victoria Street
Baldwin, NY  11510

www.orselli.net 

(516) 223-1043  voice
(516) 238-2797  mobile

The Great Big List of Exhibit Resources:  http://www.orselli.net/ 
sources.htm




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