…and this is a 
It's getting to be a regular feature—every year, the NY Times must do a story on that bizarre miseducation monument, the Creation "Museum". This time around, the story isn't too awful — it focuses on the recent NAPC meeting, in which several professional paleontologists paid a visit to the creationist carnival to be alternately appalled and amused.
Several people have asked when I'm going to visit Ken Ham's temple. It's been settled! It's all arranged, but no thanks at all to Ham. Here's the deal: I'm going to be speaking at the Secular Student Alliance conference in August, which is being held in Columbus, Ohio…only two hours away from the museum! Sharp-eyed and chronologically aware Phil Ferguson noticed this interesting conjunction, and suggested that I adjust my travel schedule a tiny bit and come down a day early, and we'd take a little side trip. The SSA was amenable and tweaked my flight dates, and it is all happening!
On Friday, 7 August, a small group of godless people, including yours truly, will be at the "museum" when it opens at 10am on Friday, 7 August. Everyone is welcome to join in—we'll pack the joint with quietly chortling science-minded people. When I get back from Lindau, I'll also write to Ken Ham and request the pleasure of an audience, inviting him to come on out and evangelize to secular students.
It should be great fun. I've got a long list of questions to ask the docents…so long that I'm going to have to prune it down a lot. Come on out and join the party! And as long as you are, you might want to think about signing up for the SSA conference, which should be more informative.
Actually, a half-hour at a nearby sewage treatment plant would be more informative. The SSA meeting will be even better than that!
Education
Comments
Posted by: sleepyinsaudi | June 30, 2009 2:41 AM
Ooooh! I wish I could be there to see the frivolity(sp?) of it all. I want pictures, and you tube please.
Posted by: MadScientist | June 30, 2009 2:41 AM
I'm betting that after taking a few steps the group will be laughing hysterically while moaning and groaning and complaining about how stupid and awful it all is. It should be quite a sight to behold.
Posted by: Owlmirror | June 30, 2009 2:42 AM
Please do a Scalzi and post pictures brimming with snarky comments.
Posted by: Jesse Brydle | June 30, 2009 2:48 AM
Having taken multiple tours of my local sewage treatment plant, and quite enjoying them, I resent the floccinaucinihilipilification.
Posted by: Jesse Brydle | June 30, 2009 2:49 AM
Having taken multiple tours of my local sewage treatment plant, and quite enjoying them, I resent the floccinaucinihilipilification.
Posted by: Shaun | June 30, 2009 2:50 AM
Wow, I would so come if I was, well, in the same country as you guys. Or at least the same hemisphere. There better be videos.
Posted by: origin | June 30, 2009 2:51 AM
The NYT article has a quote from scienceblogger Jason Rosenhouse of EvolutoinBlog fame.. w00t!
Posted by: Feynmaniac | June 30, 2009 2:55 AM
I can't wait for the Expelled from the Creationist Museum thread.....
Posted by: Nominal Egg | June 30, 2009 2:57 AM
You know, PZ, hidden video camera technology is quite good these days. I'm just sayin'.
Posted by: dean | June 30, 2009 3:03 AM
Dang! I'm going to miss it by that much. I'm flying into Columbus the last day of the conference and my flight arrives after the conference is officially over. Maybe I'll spot PZ at the airport.
Posted by: Savonarola | June 30, 2009 3:15 AM
Three cheers for my old friend Phil! We miss you at meetings, buddy!
Posted by: bric | June 30, 2009 3:16 AM
James Thurber came from Columbus Ohio - one of his quotes just might be relevant: You can fool too many of the people too much of the time.
Posted by: Russell Blackford | June 30, 2009 3:19 AM
You mean you won't be in Montreal that day like everyone else? I was sure we'd all be meeting up at the World Science Fiction Convention.
Posted by: Beelzebub | June 30, 2009 3:27 AM
I can just picture you showing up there holding a copper grounding rod, like Moses' staff of Aaron -- you know, just in case God intends to strike you down with a bolt of lightning.
Posted by: Jason A.
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June 30, 2009 3:30 AM
So does anyone know if they allow video cameras or not? I could probably show up with a Canon GL1 I've been dying to use.
Posted by: BruceH | June 30, 2009 3:31 AM
Might I suggest you pare your list of questions down according to their potential to make the docents think? If you are going to piss into the wind, at least do it with some purpose.
Posted by: Mike | June 30, 2009 3:40 AM
I'm with Jesse Brydle. Has PZ got something against sewage treatment plants? They're fascinating places and a very important part of public health.
Posted by: BaldySlaphead | June 30, 2009 3:44 AM
Anyone prepared to offer me odds on PZ getting Expelled before he even sets foot through the door?
Posted by: Lissa | June 30, 2009 3:47 AM
Ooh, I'll actually be in Cincinnati visiting my mum at the time! I'm so there! And I'm seeing Dawkins at the Edinburgh Book Festival at the end of August, so it's rapidly turning into atheist-fangirl-squee month for me!
Posted by: Philip1978 | June 30, 2009 3:47 AM
Its my birthday on the 7th of August!
:)
How about this, you give Mr Ham one heck of a good roasting over the coals and I will drink many glasses of fine English ale.
Deal?
Since I can't make it over the pond to come and join you I think this is the least I can do for you all.
Posted by: Mike | June 30, 2009 3:55 AM
I'm with Jesse Brydle. Has PZ got something against sewage treatment plants? They're fascinating places and a very important part of public health.
Posted by: Psychodiva | June 30, 2009 3:59 AM
I wish I was in the USA! - only for that wonderful trip mind- my family might complain otherwise :) please please post video and pics! I have to live vicariously
Posted by: Daniel Pope | June 30, 2009 4:12 AM
I suspect you'll find it much more boring than you imagine. The whole museum contains only one joke which they will repeat and repeat until it's no longer funny.
They should get some new material. Maybe some wacky beliefs involving Englishmen, Irishmen and Scotsmen.
Posted by: Simon Scott | June 30, 2009 4:33 AM
Hope ur gonna sneak in without paying :)
Posted by: Sili
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June 30, 2009 4:37 AM
We got to visit the sewage treatment plan when I taking my A-levels. Really interesting stuff, actually.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, Jason A. Don't you know you're supposed to use Leica?
Posted by: Christophe Thill | June 30, 2009 4:47 AM
We should stop calling this thing a museum. The guy in the article said it best: it's a theme park. Although I've visited dinosaur theme parks (with animatronic beasties) that were far more educational.
Posted by: inkadu | June 30, 2009 5:10 AM
Have you decided on your counter-balance charity, or aren't we doing that anymore?
Posted by: Rorschach | June 30, 2009 5:24 AM
Are you sure PZ that Ham will actually let you and your horde of heathens in?
I dont think thats so certain !
Posted by: Travis Bickle | June 30, 2009 5:29 AM
Hey PZ - watch what you say about a sewage treatment plant - though "yucky", they are certainly very interesting and indeed essential, whilst the museum is neither.
Informative and interesting book on poos and wees recently by Rose George - http://www.amazon.com/Big-Necessity-Unmentionable-World-Matters/dp/0805082719
Posted by: Maximinus | June 30, 2009 5:49 AM
PhysOrg have an interesting article today - "Paleontologists brought to tears, laughter by Creation Museum."
"It's sort of a monument to scientific illiteracy, isn't it?" -- Jerry Lipps, professor of geology, paleontology and evolution at University of California, Berkeley
Posted by: Fernando | June 30, 2009 5:59 AM
How can be possible that Creation "Museum" be called a museum!?
Isnt normal, for me, some childish freakshow, should be considered a museum!
You all my american friends, and you PZ, should write to the competent authorities, explaining (with documentatiosn and strong evidence) what is a museum, and demand that the Creation "Museum" should be renamed, for example: Creation Fair, Creation Show, etc.
To me this should be a top priority, because this kind of shame can poisoning and confuse people about real science: Genesis cant be confuded with Paleontology and the Bible cant be readed has a Science book!
Posted by: Ray Mills | June 30, 2009 6:20 AM
Just paid a quick visit over to ken hams blog and no comment as yet...
Posted by: recovering catholic | June 30, 2009 6:20 AM
I'll be there! Just a short drive from Champaign-Urbana (well, maybe not that short, but worth it). So PZ, if they don't let us in, will you be buying lunch and beers at a local establishment?
Posted by: Etiene | June 30, 2009 6:35 AM
That's a proud moment for Coventry University...
Posted by: Duff | June 30, 2009 6:35 AM
Mark my word. There is no way they are going to let you guys in.
Posted by: Samantha Vimes | June 30, 2009 6:43 AM
If they don't let PZ in, I hope Dawkins tries some time...
Posted by: J-Ball | June 30, 2009 6:44 AM
Why do I picture a bunch of eager skeptics arriving at the "museum" all set for a day of rides on the logic roller coaster, only to encounter a big statue of Ken Ham with a recording: "Sorry, folks! We're closed for two weeks to clean and repair America's favorite family fun park. Sorry, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!"
If you do get in, please take video. The docents' stammering just wouldn't show up in pictures.
Posted by: Arnold T Pants | June 30, 2009 6:47 AM
1. If they refuse entry to your gaggle of heathens, make sure you get it on video.
2. It's too bad they only have one dinosaur saddle, because it would be pretty cool to pose a picture of a game of dinosaur polo between the infidels and the credulous. Now that's some fucking science!
Posted by: Scott N | June 30, 2009 7:12 AM
Do they let you take photographs in there like a real museum?
Posted by: Scott N | June 30, 2009 7:17 AM
Do they let you take photographs in there like a real museum?
Posted by: Scott N | June 30, 2009 7:26 AM
Do they let you take photographs in there like a real museum?
Posted by: Scott N | June 30, 2009 7:33 AM
Do they let you take photographs in there like a real museum?
Posted by: James Sweet | June 30, 2009 7:57 AM
Yeah, I would have been much more clandestine about the whole thing. If the Creationists won't let you into the premiere of Expelled, why would they let you into their sacred temple of stoopid?
On a side note, I imagine the last line of your post is a little offensive to sanitation engineers. I mean, if somebody said that they could probably learn more touring my place of business than at the Creation Museum, the mere fact of comparing the two would be pretty insulting... ;p
Anyway, I've been to the sewage treatment plant in Petersburg, Kentucky, and I learned some really fascinating things! For instance, did you know that all the water they treat is only six thousand years old? Also, the Kentucky plant has to have an extra filtration stage to deal with pygmies + dwarves. Fascinating stuff!
Posted by: JefFlyingV | June 30, 2009 8:12 AM
Mr. Myers, how easy will it be to not laugh long and hard at each exposition?
Posted by: uppity cracka | June 30, 2009 8:25 AM
Please, Please, Please record this encounter and post it. It'd be like if 'Religulous' was actually good.
Posted by: Paleos | June 30, 2009 8:33 AM
I was at NAPC, but alas due to changing of travel plans I was unable to go visit the creationists. The scientists in the symposium I was in discussed going, but most of them decided that it would just make them angry; basically the minimal entertainment wouldn't be worth being pissed off all day.
It looks like the ones that did go had the right 'view it as a theme park' spirit.
PZ, pictures are a must for your visit to the 'museum'. I say that you also get into the spirit of the thing and wear silly hats (perhaps one of the squid hats you have received lately!) and do all the other stuff that tourists do when they go to Disneyland type parks!
Posted by: Southern Comfort | June 30, 2009 8:57 AM
I live near Columbus and although I am way past the student phase of my life, I would love to hear you speak. (I missed you as the Central Ohio Humanist Society Darwin Day celebration earlier this year and am still kicking myself about that). I have also been wanting to visit the Creation Museum simply as a photo op for my blog(sort of the flip side of what Ray Comfort did at the Smithsonian Museum). I have a blog that is the exact opposite of Comfort's called "Christian Central" where I parody Ray's blog.
Posted by: Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. | June 30, 2009 9:03 AM
I was at NAPC, but chose to go to the excellent Cincinnati Zoo instead. However, I want to note that Tamaki Sato's comments rock!
Posted by: wheatdogg
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June 30, 2009 9:13 AM
Welcome to Kentucky! Please be advised that not all residents in the Commonwealth of Kentucky think the same way as Mr Ham does. Just maybe half ...
If y'all are willing to pay the admission fee, I see no reason why they would keep you out. Just please don't laugh too hard, so you don't disturb the Believers and their little chilluns.
Posted by: Pete Moulton | June 30, 2009 9:34 AM
I'm betting the 'museum' will be closed for 'maintenance,' or some such, on 7th August. PZ, you're never gonna see the inside of it.
Posted by: Phil Ferguson | June 30, 2009 9:44 AM
Anyone that goes to the creation park and feels a little dirty, can offset their sin by making a donation equal to the price of admission(or larger)to the SSA (Secular Student Alliance). Even if you are not going you can still help.
Look for the blue box on the left side of the screen for our matching program. Whatever you donate gets a match until Aug 1st.
http://www.secularstudents.org/
I hope to see you all there!
Phil Ferguson
SSA Board Member
Founder of Champaign Urbana Freethinkers www.cufree.net
Posted by: apoLOLgetics | June 30, 2009 10:00 AM
I hope that you don't pay admission. There's no reason why they should be getting a penny from you. I guess it's not a whole lot of money and you're hoping the damages in reputation will far exceed admission costs, so maybe it's ok. Bah.
Posted by: MartyM | June 30, 2009 10:42 AM
I hope you don't get the Expelled treatment again. I have some friends who went through the museum last year. Unfortunately I think they bought into it. I have tried to convince them otherwise, but they are too strong in the religion department and too weak in the science department. And that's typical of the museum's visitors.
Posted by: Falyne, FCD | June 30, 2009 10:50 AM
If I weren't still going to be at Pennsic, that would be damn tempting...
Posted by: CortxVortx | June 30, 2009 10:55 AM
I'm only 75 miles from Petersburg KY, in the wilds of southern Indiana. I am so there!
See ya!
Posted by: Kitty'sBitch | June 30, 2009 10:58 AM
I'll be there with bells on.
I'll take lots of photos.
Posted by: Raynfala | June 30, 2009 11:02 AM
From the article:
How ironic, the subtle inference that the scientists are willfully shutting out information.
Posted by: Sarah | June 30, 2009 11:27 AM
Let's hope they let you in. We wouldn't want a repeat of your attempt to view the Expelled "movie". :D
Posted by: Wonko the Sane | June 30, 2009 11:49 AM
I'm definately going to be there. I can't pass up a chance to see so much creationist inanity and dishonesty with PZ.
Posted by: Wonko the Sane | June 30, 2009 11:53 AM
I'm definately going to be there. I can't pass up a chance to see so much creationist inanity and dishonesty with PZ.
Posted by: Brooke | June 30, 2009 11:54 AM
Actually, a half-hour at a nearby sewage treatment plant would be more informative.
I understand that a sewage lagoon is a wonderful place to see many bird species in one place. So, concerning biology, yes, the sewage treatment plant holds many more possibilities for education than the creationist “museum.”
Posted by: Felix | June 30, 2009 12:09 PM
Scott @ #39-42,
to be fair, not all museums allow photography, mostly because they want to sell catalogues and other media.
Please actually do what the submission error message says, and do not resubmit your post. Posts arrive at the server the first time you click 'Post'. Just hit your back button and refresh the page. Don't hit 'Post' multiple times when nothing seems to happen.
They seem unable to resolve this problem on scienceblogs.
Posted by: Mathlover2
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June 30, 2009 12:13 PM
Please post some pictures, PZ!
I would love to come, but I may be busy around that time.
Posted by: Jennifurret | June 30, 2009 12:17 PM
Oooh, I was going to the SSA conference anyway, and this sounds like pretty much the best thing ever. Totally coming early for this adventure.
Posted by: cameron | June 30, 2009 12:30 PM
If you are looking for suggestions on what questions to ask Ken Ham while you're there, here are a couple:
"Mr. Ham, can you please explain in your own words what 'bearing false witness' means to you, and what you do to avoid bearing false witness in your day-to-day life."
"Your museum clearly takes advantage of the fruits of scientific learning, from the animatronic displays to the computers running the show to the very electricity that powers everything. Please describe what contributions Creation Science has made to our understanding of nature, citing specific areas where breakthroughs in technology, medicine, or fundamental science have come as a direct result of literal interpretations of the bible."
Posted by: Stygian | June 30, 2009 12:33 PM
Wow, Hope you all have a good time at the Creationist 'Museum.' Be sure to take lots of pics for us. Unfortunately, Ohio is a bit to far away for me to drop by.
Also, PZ have you seen Ken Ham's State of the Nation? http://www.answersingenesis.org/media/video/ondemand/state-of-the-nation/state-of-the-nation
It's truly a horrible video, but I think it at least deserves a proper PZ-bashing.
Posted by: brnofeathers | June 30, 2009 12:38 PM
I can't wait to see the real one!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34243342@N06/3675846860/
Posted by: IDM | June 30, 2009 12:39 PM
I sincerely wish for the safety of your brain cells. It's probably the one thing more irritating than Christian apologetics.
As for another approach to touring the museum: http://buffalobeast.com/117/let_there_be_retards.htm
Posted by: Qwerty | June 30, 2009 12:42 PM
And anyone who attends will be getting a bargain as August 7th is a Friday! According to their website, it's open on Monday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm while on Friday it's open from 10am to 9pm. WOW! Three more hours of creation exhibits for the same price!
Just don't go on Good Friday as they might be closed.
Posted by: VTStudent | June 30, 2009 1:04 PM
Horrible timing PZ, I will be gone to Jamaica (graduation gift) from August 6 - 14th.
Otherwise I wouldn't miss it, but I think in this case Jamaica > Ken Ham Fairyland, though I've always really wanted to check that place out.
Posted by: Qwerty | June 30, 2009 1:08 PM
PZ, if you can get 15 or more, there is a group rate which reduces admission from $21.95 to $16.95 for adults (13 to 59 years of age) and from $16.95 to $12.95 for seniors (60 or older). No sense giving the Hamster more than you have to give him.
You'll need someone to contact them two weeks in advance with a deposit of $50.00. And groups are entitled to a speaker from Answers in Genesis! Wow! Everything you've never wanted to know because you've already heard it too many times about creationism versus evolution!
Posted by: Jason A.
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June 30, 2009 1:19 PM
We need to do the group thing Qwerty mentioned in #71. Our own private speaker!
Posted by: Glen Davidson
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June 30, 2009 1:40 PM
Different starting assumptions, like that they already have the answers from sheepherders and their priests, and that any evidence to the contrary makes no difference whatsoever.
Yes, I'd say that starting assumptions like that make all the difference.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p
Posted by: Bill Bigge | June 30, 2009 1:40 PM
I have a prediction - They will be forced to close unexpectedly for emergency maintenance the morning before you arrive - the apparent technical fault will be hailed as a 'miracle' and thanks will be given to god for saving the museum from those evil evolutionist materialist atheists.
Shortly afterwards the technical fault will be resolved by another miracle as the missing electrical fuse is discovered down Ken Hams underpants.
I would love to join you all but I'm British, based in the UK, and I haven't mastered the art of teleportation yet.
Posted by: Jason M | June 30, 2009 2:16 PM
I live not too far from there. I *might* be able to make it out that morning.
Posted by: rufustfirefly | June 30, 2009 2:22 PM
I wouldn't even call it a theme park. It's more like a backwoods carnival and Ken Ham is the head, inbred carny.
Posted by: Dagger | June 30, 2009 2:50 PM
Epic. Tell me you guys'll be YouTubing this.
Posted by: lissodendoryx | June 30, 2009 3:02 PM
A colleague of mine visited the museum and presented his 'findings' at an semi-formal venue within the department. The short and skinny seemed to be that the museum doesn't try to address the scientific claims of evolution, but simply reiterates (ad nauseum) that if you have naturalistic assumptions, then the scientific world-view is plausible; alternately, if you believe the bible is true, you interpret the available evidence differently. E.g., they basically admit to shoehorning the data to fit their model, but they accuse scientists of doing the same.
Take special note of their use of sophisticated animatronics! My colleague pointed out that they opted to animate the most bizarre and low-impact aspects of their displays. Lots of money, little taste.
Posted by: TrishB | June 30, 2009 3:37 PM
Make sure to stop off in Monroe, OH on the way south to have your picture taken with Big Butter Jesus:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/9786
Posted by: sean hogge | June 30, 2009 3:37 PM
I and several of my friends will try to make it down, then hopefully stop by the SSA conference on our way to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
One of us is sure to have a video camera. This should be a good time.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | June 30, 2009 3:41 PM
damn it.
Going to miss it.
Posted by: tsig | June 30, 2009 4:11 PM
Just another roadside attraction.
Posted by: Christophe Thill | June 30, 2009 4:40 PM
"Just another roadside attraction."
And reviewed by specialist of this kind of stuff, too!
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/15717
Posted by: Qwerty | June 30, 2009 4:41 PM
Oh, Rev. BDC, you can't make it, but they serve bratwurst at their consession stands.
Hey, don't you live in SC? What do the locals think of Gov. Mess-Around?
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | June 30, 2009 4:45 PM
A mix of schadenfreude and disappointment. Mostly schadenfreude. He was a shitty governor who made enemies on both sides.
But Someone I have a fairly close relationship with is good friends with the Gov and his wife was college roomies with Jenny Sanford. They are obviously on the disappointed side.
Posted by: Qwerty | June 30, 2009 5:05 PM
In other off-topic news, Al Franken was declared the winner and Norm Coleman plans to concede. I just received an email from the Coleman camp that states this. (I visited his office which is how I got on his emailing list. It wasn't a pleasant experience.)
Yeaaaaa!!!!
Posted by: MikeM | June 30, 2009 5:16 PM
For the win!
Although I also like Sato's comments (at the end of the article).
Man, those are some high prices to get into that... I refuse to use the "M" word here... Exhibit. Museum of Natural History, that's a Museum. Ham's... Thing? Exhibit. Hall of Goofy Fantasy. Whatever. It sure ain't no Museum.
Posted by: Dr. P | June 30, 2009 5:20 PM
I can't think of a better picture than PZ on the dinosaur with the saddle *group hug*
Posted by: Jephalopod | June 30, 2009 5:32 PM
Sir, my father worked at a sewage treatment plant, and I have done some very interesting electronics work at them. I challenge you to a duel!
*hiccup* I love you, man.
Posted by: flutefish | June 30, 2009 5:49 PM
I went on a field trip to a sewage treatment plant as part of a hydrology class. It was quite informative, and involved real science. Not as exciting as Tyrannosaurs eating coconuts, though.
Posted by: Arnold T Pants | June 30, 2009 6:17 PM
@ #66 Stygian
From Ham's "State of the Nation:"
And hopefully it happens soon. Ramen. (Crosses self, drains pasta.)
Posted by: Arnold T Pants | June 30, 2009 6:26 PM
Oh man, I need to stop listening to Ham. I'm going to listen to some Hitchens to cleanse my palate.
Posted by: Lab Geek | June 30, 2009 9:09 PM
Oh man, I wish I could be there to see that. That museum is an embarrassment to this nation.
Posted by: Susan Henry | June 30, 2009 10:13 PM
P.S. We sincerely apologize to all
Platypussewage treatment plant enthusiasts out there who are offended by that thoughtless comment about thePlatypisewage treatment plant. We atView Askewthe blogging evolutionist community respect the noblePlatypussewage treatment plant, and it is not our intention to slight these stupidcreaturesfacilities in any way.Thank you again and enjoy the show.
Posted by: JefFlyingV | June 30, 2009 10:35 PM
The sewage plant and the Creationist museum are 2 places you can get away with saying, "there is certainly a lot of fecal material being treated here for export."
Posted by: Eyeoffaith | July 1, 2009 3:46 AM
You should get a shirt with that "The Stupid. It Burns" picture on it. That would be appropriate to wear to their "museum"
Posted by: MartyM | July 1, 2009 9:31 AM
I saw a creation museum TV commercial on the local NBC affiliate (St. Louis) this morning. I yelled at the TV and my wife came in to see what was going on. Their money is allowing them to expand their commercial territory as much as they stretch what is science.
Posted by: Sabrina | July 1, 2009 9:41 AM
As a museum professional, I resent Ham calling his 'museum' as such. Museums are educational. The 'Creation Museum' is nothing more than propaganda for what he obviously sees as a dying cause.
Posted by: snrub | July 1, 2009 9:45 AM
I wish you good luck, but I don't really see how you can outdo Dougie.
http://buffalobeast.com/117/let_there_be_retards.htm
Posted by: Frank Lovell
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July 1, 2009 10:02 AM
What, PZ at the AiG Creation "Museum" on Friday, August 7?
Whoa, can't miss that -- I'll be there to see that and join the godless fracas, along with other rational Kentuckians who're coming too!
-- Frank Lovell, http://www.kases.org/
PS: Maybe to avoid being barred at the door PZ should disguise himself as Richard Dawkins?
Posted by: Eamon Knight | July 1, 2009 12:12 PM
I am annoyed to note that the Creation Museum appears under the "museum" category on the kentuckytourism.com site.
However, tourism bureaux have the mandate to attract money-spending visitors, rather than vetting the attractions for scientific accuracy, so I suppose that's to be expected.
Posted by: Demitri | July 1, 2009 5:12 PM
Creation evangelism was never meant for anyone other than mis-educated fence-sitting Christians who aren't sure what to believe in. Creation museums are no exception.
Posted by: Christine Janis | July 1, 2009 10:31 PM
"Just paid a quick visit over to ken hams blog and no comment as yet..."
Maybe not about PZ --- but my comment from the NAPC trip about how the creationists are outbreeding us was a major item and has since been taken up by a number of other creationist bloggers. (Comment made in response to the numbers of families dressed in Amish-type clothing, pregnant women under 30 with 4 kids in tow, etc.)
Christine
Posted by: John Morales | July 1, 2009 10:47 PM
Christine, not to worry. The inculcation those children receive can be overcome and creationism is culturally, not genetically transmitted.
If anything, I reckon their programming to believe authority makes it easier (in principle) to change their beliefs, when exposed a more powerful perceived authority. Public opinion can be one such authority.
Posted by: Metatwaddle | July 2, 2009 1:06 AM
I'm going to the SSA conference! But I have no way to get transportation to this thing, since I'll be flying into Columbus and not renting a car. Does anyone want to give me a ride? :D
Posted by: tomath
|
July 2, 2009 9:02 PM
I propose that a new museum be at least comtemplated:
A. Call it the "Creationist Museum of Religious Dinosaurs" which would feature various doom&gloominaries (D&Gs) such as Ken Ham and William Dembski represented as simulated mummified remains (They were 'dinosaurs' before they were mummies).
B. The main room containing the possibly slightly animated mummies would be called "The Hall of Feign" whose members are the D&Gs (male members referred to as 'pricks') and would feature artifacts that belonged to them such as:
1. An opaque magnifying glass.
2. A microscope with no objective lens.
3. A balance scale that was apparently rarely used as evidenced by the 4.73" layer of dust on it that the cleaning crew is instructed not to disturb.
4. Various musty and dilapidated books dating to a time just after publication of 'On The Origin Of Species' by non-scientific critics of that book's theories (Surprisingly little dust was found on these, so the cleaning crew is directed to very carefully dust these every day for the rest of eternity.)
C. Slogan for the museum: "A museum unfortunately ahead of its time".
D. Any other ideas? For example, how could this be funded?
Posted by: Epistaxis | July 4, 2009 12:56 AM
The Secular Student Alliance has come through with all the arrangements for the museum visit: they negotiated the entry fee all the way down to $10, registered the event on a carpooling website, and are coordinating lodging for that Thursday night. Plus they're (shamelessly) accepting donations to offset the money that's necessarily given to Answers in Genesis.