Mutter film

After watching the film on the Mutter museum, I couldn't help but get a little upset at all the bashing that was going on during the class discussion. So many people were badmouthing the museum for making a spectacle out of the specimens and having a gift shop to make money. I thought this was really unfair, maybe because I've actually been to the museum and I know the kind of environment it is.
     Like any museum, the Mutter museum has a particular purpose. It's making an effort to educate people, medical students and the general public alike, on the history and development of our scientific and medical history. It's one of the few places that offers such an opportunity to anyone who wishes to learn. I have no doubt that not every patron that attends this museum has the purest intention; I didn't go strictly because I was interested in medical stuff, but also because I had a natural curiosity for the weird stuff, too. However, with any major effort to educate the general public on something as intriguing as medicine and disease, or other scientific fields in general, this will always happen. Those who work at the Mutter museum and help keep it running should not be blamed for slightly catering to the expected curiosity of their patrons. As far as the gift shop goes, EVERY museum has a gift shop, as well as many other attractions. Historical landmarks such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, also in Philadelphia, have gift shops, food courts, and allow people to take pictures with them, as well. Some may see this as exploitation, but I see it as clever marketing. These attractions need to acquire revenue in order to stay open and to keep people coming. With the crappy economy, why not capitalize on them a little? It doesn't, and shouldn't, take away from their significance or importance to our history and the development of our society.
     In the Mutter museum, there are no bright colors,, no fancy gimmicks or big signs leading you to particularly weird or unusual exhibits. There is information about each specimen, such as the species it came from, what part of the world it came from, what the disease is, and sometimes the person's name and a brief description when necessary. Nothing is able to be touched or played with by the public, and even with dozens of people in the museum, it remains very quiet. It has an atmosphere of respect and people spend their time observing and reading each piece within the museum as if they're getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to peer into our past. I honestly think that if some people from class ever have the opportunity to visit the museum (and you should try to!), they might change their minds.

Sarah Bradley