Griffiths

The anthropologists and early curators of the AMNH and other museums were right to debate the various modes to present their scientific information. It’s fascinating to find out that tension between educational content delivery and consumerism has been going on for more than 100 years. I’m at conference for Innovation at the Mayo Clinic and it is apparent how whole fields of study have evolved around many of the topics discussed in Griffiths chapters. The discussion of architectural design elements, the use of dioramas, wax figures or taxidermy for exhibits is still relevant today. The effectiveness in presenting facts or communicating information pulls from many disciplines --- not just anthropology. Interaction designers use engineering principles, design research, visual arts and more. Boas and his peers could only anticipate the transformation the motion picture industry would bring to their fields of study.