Re: Dinotopia Goes To The Smithsonian

[Richard W Travsky <rtravsky@uwyo.edu>]

On Mon, 29 Apr 2002 Danvarner@aol.com wrote:
> 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

No need to be! I thought it was a hilarious news item!