RE: paleonet SFO fossil exhibit

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As I implied earlier, I did not get a chance to study the exhibit, except from the movable walkway I was on. Yes, I took the easy and fast way as I was rushing to my flight. But at first blush, it is an intriguing exhibit and one with which I wish I could have spent some time. Obviously, such exhibits need to be done well, scientifically and visually. Visually, it is stunning. These are opportunities for the science that need to be siezed and milked for the public-education good they can generate.

Rich

-----Original Message-----
From: paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk [mailto:paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk]On Behalf Of Jere H. Lipps
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 7:17 PM
To: paleonet@nhm.ac.uk
Subject: Re: paleonet SFO fossil exhibit

At 11:59 PM 9/26/2005, you wrote:

Thank you, Nancy. I meant no disrespect and had no idea who (personally) put up the exhibit. Contrary to Peter's comment, I was involved in the installation of a large public exhibit, and know too well how the non-specialists who get involved can change things, letting errors creep in. But the errors in the SF installation are larger than that.

Really not very important Peter. We should not get too involved in the details we know, because the public does not know them anyway. And if they do, they will take great delight and interest in correcting us. Like Jurassic Park=errors, errors, errors, but so good for paleo in general.

As Rich Lane so correctly pointed out, the exhibit itself is indeed beautiful. But the level of taxonomic error is at the subclass level, like calling a synapsid a diapsid, while the reconstructed ammonites have orientations that are quite impossible. The Academy did a service in putting this up: right now of all times we need to promote our science, and this is a great way to do it. But as my friend and mentor Don Brownlee often has told me, a big error causes loss of confidence in the rest. Sorry to take up people's time.

Don must be talking about somehting else. Even lots of paleontologists might not have noticed the details, but everyone, even Rich Lane, my friend, could see the huge value in the overall exhibit. That is the important aspect. Use the errors, if anyone notices, to educate them even farther. But I bet no one will even notice and that the Cal Academy will get much praise. That's far more important, although everyone should try to be absolutely accurate.

Jere

Professor Peter D Ward
Dept of Biology
The University of Washington
Seattle, 98195
206-543-2962 ( Office )

On Mon, 26 Sep 2005, Nancy Meyer wrote:

I'm just curious - how was that comment ill-natured? And
why does it matter that no one except persons who've bought
tickets can see the exhibit?

--- Peter Roopnarine <proopnarine@calacademy.org> wrote:

Peter,
Your comments on the CAS exhibit at SFO, on Paleonet,
were just
brought to my attention. Thank you for pointing out the
errors.
Installation of the exhibit was delayed by more than 6
months after it
left CAS because of unscheduled construction at the
airport, and I have
not even seen it myself. A little astute observation on
your part will
alert you to the fact that unless you are a ticketed
domestic passenger
flying into or out of SFO, you cannot view the exhibit.
And that
includes CAS personnel. I personally use SFO only for
international
flights.
I will not thank you for airing your comments publicly
on Paleonet.
There was nothing constructive in that action. Frankly,
coming from you,
someone who has had very little experience with assembly
of major
exhibits from a larger natural history museum, I find
your confidence in
your right to be critical to be a bit, well, baseless. I
will address
the issues with the exhibit, but your approach is
precisely what is
troubling about the future of paleontology: ill-conceived
and
ill-natured commentaries posted to the Paleonet
listserver.
Best wishes,
Peter Roopnarine

--
Peter D. Roopnarine, Assoc. Curator
Dept. of Invertebrate Zoology & Geology
California Academy of Sciences
875 Howard St.
San Francisco CA 94103
Tel. (415)321-8271
FAX: (415)321-8615

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

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