When looking at the video of the Mutter museum, I asked
myself this question: Is showing the human body in a museum too much for
society? With the background of stories of exposure by the people who had their
“freakish” qualities shown to the public, when is it going too far? I believe
that modern society does not view these exposures at the same level as society
from the 1800s or earlier. People can be drawn from the variety of these
qualities for their entertainment purposes. The video is a little outdated but
I feel that there are not that many scientific studies that are based off of
museums anymore. The museum is important in exposing diseases that scientists
have found a way to treat but have they in the past few years? I don’t believe
that showing these varieties to the public is good in helping the public gain
awareness. Science has now taken a turn towards technology and seems to rarely
use visual reference anymore. Should these museums become private for the
science field or stay open for the public?
Darren Pope
I feel these museums should stay open for the public through whatever means they can. It's essentially what they are doing now. Under the guise of "medical education", their business model now revolves around drawing in as many people as possible to view their exhibits. Whether they market it as of historical, medical, or freakish interest matters not, the business merely wants to stay open via admission tickets. This much is evident from their curators appearances on the Letterman show and advertising throughout the city. I say that's fine. Who knows what role it may play in the future. I think it's silly it should close just because some people don't like the way it markets itself.
ReplyDeleteI also agree, I think these museums should remain open for the public. Even though they are not necessarily educational in the science field or for professionals they are still historical artifacts that are interesting and important to maintain for the public viewing. The science field is now like you said very technilogical, but these museums allow us to see how things used to be. I think being able to see the changes and rare presentations is for entertainment more than anything though.
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