Re: Dinotopia Goes To The Smithsonian

[Danvarner@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/29/02 12:29:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rtravsky@uwyo.edu quotes:


<< Dennis O'Connor, the Smithsonian's director of science programs, said the
exhibit is "a look at what fantasy can do to learning." >>

       Note the phrase, "what fantasy can do to learning" rather than "for learning". Very telling.


<< "The lost world depicted in the books is "paleontologically absurd but at
the same time fascinating," O'Connor said. It's thinking about what it
would be like to live with dinosaurs that opens the mind to learning about
them." >>

       I may be the oldest grump here, hence the rant. This is BS. Dinosaurs need minds to be open in order to learn about them? Say what? This whole deal is about $$$$$$$$$$$. Hype for a TV show (which might be quite excellent, by the way). This may be a fitting exhibit in another area of the Smithsonian, perhaps the American Art Museum (next to N.C.Wyeth or Maxfield Parrish) or American History Museum (next to Howdy Doody and Archie Bunker's chair)--fine. But the Natural History Museum?! Don't we get enough "paleontologically absurd" in our diets anyway? DV 
       PS Sorry, Rich

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