One in the 'win' column.

[espritch]

A couple of weeks ago I posted a thread about how our local Science museum had decided not to show the film "Volcanoes of the Deep Sea" because they were worried it was "too in your face" about evolution and might upset the fundies. Enough peopled voiced their displeasure at this stupid decision that they had to recant and have anounced they will be showing the film after all. The local alternative paper, "Creative Loafing", printed a article about this (by John Grooms). In the article he noted that he had obtained a copy of the script of the movie just to see how "in your face" it actually is:

We looked and looked, and looked again, and finally realized something very surprising -- there's not even one mention of evolution in the entire film! True, the filmmakers framed their explanations for goings on in the ocean depths within the context of the overall acceptence of evolution, but "in your face" or "over the top"? It's just not there. The brave filmmakers dared, in these weird, reactionary times, to actually be in tune with mainstream scientific beliefs.

I guess this goes in the 'win' column but it still bugs me that the guy running Discovery Place is gutless (or perhaps a closet creationist). It bugs me even more that we should have to constantly fight these kinds of battles.

The Scopes trial is over. You lost. Get over it.

 

[John Bentley]

I guess this goes in the 'win' column but it still bugs me that the guy running Discovery Place is gutless (or perhaps a closet creationist). It bugs me even more that we should have to constantly fight these kinds of battles.

The Scopes trial is over. You lost. Get over it.

But the funding battles go on. It's sad but true that most privatized science learning centers (Discovery Place, Exploreum, etc.) are always on the thin edge of bankruptcy in the Southeast. Most of the funding comes from grants from the state and donations from the private sector. I would bet that the director of the Discovery Place was mainly concerned that the fundies in the state grant dept. would cut off his funding if he becomes too controversial.

 

[John Bentley]

I guess this goes in the 'win' column but it still bugs me that the guy running Discovery Place is gutless (or perhaps a closet creationist). It bugs me even more that we should have to constantly fight these kinds of battles.

The Scopes trial is over. You lost. Get over it.

But the funding battles go on. It's sad but true that most privatized science learning centers (Discovery Place, Exploreum, etc.) are always on the thin edge of bankruptcy in the Southeast. Most of the funding comes from grants from the state and donations from the private sector. I would bet that the director of the Discovery Place was mainly concerned that the fundies in the state grant dept. would cut off his funding if he becomes too controversial.

I notice that he reversed course as soon as there was controversy about his decision.

 

[Beth]

The Scopes trial is over. You lost. Get over it.

Uh, actually the evolutionists lost that particular battle.

Beth

 

[CBL4]

sad but true that most privatized science learning centers (Discovery Place, Exploreum, etc.) are always on the thin edge of bankruptcy in the Southeast.

It not only the southeast, it is everywhere. In Poulsbo Washington, the local marine science shut down due to lack of funds. In Eugene Oregon, the local science center was always on the verge of bankruptcy. Unfortunately, science is not that popular unless it is very showy e.g. zoo or large aquarium.

Sometimes, popular culture can help however. I am a member of the Seattle Aquarium and I talked with one of the employees about the movie Finding Nemo. She said that she liked it because it brought people in and gave them a chance to educate the kids.

CBL