Ya think it will help? On Nov 13, 2011 6:15 PM, "Steve Fisher" <iotacass1@hotmail.com> wrote:
I feel like slashing my wrists! ;)
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:58:48 -0700 From: chuck.hards@gmail.com To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] SLAS and CLarke Planetrium
Well, I'm a thorn in the side of SLAS, and no doubt when it comes to the historical record, but with all due respect to Erik and Steve, despite their "politically correct" slants on the situation, and while their arguments are fundamentally sound in light of today's situation, it's a truly sad thing.
Planetariums and museums are no longer places of learning and magnets for community outreach.
They are now profit centers and exist to generate revenue for local government.
Period.
I come from a time when a science or literary club could book a meeting at the library, planetarium, or museum at no charge. Those institutions existed for the benefit of the members of the community. They were subsidized with public money, yet did generate a portion of their own operating costs, and were open to all, at no charge. Ony the "star show" at Hansen was a paid ticket required for admission. Classrooms (and even the entire second floor), were freebies for science (and science-fiction, no lie!) clubs.
Today the situation is different. Such places exist ONLY so long as they turn a profit. To do so, their focus is now on entertainment instead of learning and community benefit. Even the profits of those institutions don't go primarily to the communities in which they exist.
I recall SLAS meetings at Hansen Planetarium in the "Star Chamber", or main theater, at no charge to SLAS. Planetarium staff were even available to help and operate the projector if requested.
Those days are long gone. Nobody is getting into any museum or planetarium room without paying an exhorbitant fee.
OK, that's the way things are in today's world. I'll even admit that my thinking isn't practical in today's world. I would, however, stipulate that today's world isn't worth a damn when compared to how things used to be. We get the government (and public institutions) that we deserve. We deserve this, ostensibly.
Even SLAS (and many other clubs across the country) have had to morph into frighteningly large beaurocracies to deal with society as it now exists. There must be at least 2 dozen leadership positions and/or committees to deal with the various avenues that society and government demand such organizations negotiate, just to survive.
Give those people a round of applause if you enjoy the fruits of their labor. None are paid, and it's a damn shame that it's even necessary just for a group of like-minded astronomy enthusiasts to gather in a public place and mutually enjoy something worthwhile. But they do it out of love of the hobby, and realize that a club either adapts, or dies. Darwinism works even in this weird situation.
Ah, the good old days. I miss them. I miss them a lot.
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