AIBU to think the Natural History Museum are taking the piss?

[JemimaCuddleFuck]

Right now, watching the Horizon documentary on how they moved the blue whale skeleton into the main hall of the NHM and my face is like this

WTAF? The money they must have burned through to move the skeleton. There's the chief guy in charge who had to fly out to California to go whale watching so he could personally witness the dynamics of the whale's movements. Same guy then had to fly to Ireland to have a ganders at the beach where the blue whale washed up.

Then there's the specially designed and custom made contraption used to move the skeleton's head about 20 foot across a room.

And currently watching several curators gingerly using cotton buds to dust a bone that looks about 12 feet in length.

I'm thinking that if this was taking place in the private sector you'd be given half a day to get the whole thing moved, dusted and set up again. And certainly no whale watching trips in the process.

Private, you say?

I'm thinking train tracks and transport in general and I expect they'd have wrecked the skeleton and the museum in the process. And charge the public over the odds for the privilege.

What they get paid for the programme will have more than covered the costs. And it would be a less saleable programme without the Ireland and California journeys.

"Guv, it feels like we're basically making a programme about moving a load of stuff about. I know it's a whale and a dinosaur but it could easily be a fridge and a washing machine being delivered by AO."

"Don't worry, Dickie Attenborough's voicing it. Legit documentary, yeah?"

How dare we live in a society that funds scholarly research made accessible to the widespread audience for free. Everyone knows that only posh kids should be allowed to see wales in their natural habitats and be encouraged to visit one of the world's greatest free museums.

I bet you are the kind of person that asks for ' your money back' at the British Museum because you couldn't get a private viewing of the Rosetta Stone.

Just be thankful these people have studied for doctorates to give you and your children this information.... for free!

The program will get sold globally too. Making money back and showing off the museum.

In the private sector the whale skeleton would be in a skip as there is no prospect of it contributing substantially to the next quarter's bottom line.

YABVVVVU Everybody benefits from the expertise of the NHM staff. Their skills and knowledge in bringing a free demonstration of Whale anatomy to anybody who wants to see it. If you want to see the difference between a display set up by world experts who have taken time to understand their subjects, and well meaning but unskilled enthusiasts, compare the natural history museum to the Walrus at the Horniman museum. They tried to show people what a Walrus was like, but set it up so wrong that it is totally uninformative.

I assumed that the outings to Ireland and California were to make an interesting programme, rather than for the NHM's benefit. And then the "oh it won't fit through the door, ooh yes it will, hurrah" was just a bit of dramatic tension.
Looking forward to seeing the whale in situ this summer.

Actually Armi by funding museums and other cultural resources we are indirectly helping to level the social playing field in a small way. The inspiration and knowledge is free for all and is not restricted by class or wealth :)

There was an interesting article written a few years back (I shall try to find it) that listed 8 key non-financial indicators of poverty, and lack of access to museums and galleries was one of those 8.

I agree that there are more obviously worthy and urgent causes, like making sure everyone is properly fed, healthcare, and direct education. But cultural poverty is a real thing too and although museums are often seen as a luxury, we as a nation would be much poorer without them. And in sacrificing museum funding, we also sacrifice those children whose parents can't afford to pay however much to get into museums should they be forced to start charging entry fees to stay afloat.

I had completely forgotten about the whale/dippy swap! Thanks OP for reminding me, I will definitely be visiting on my trip to London next week. But in your honour OP, I will ensure I am not awed by an entire whale skeleton expertly suspended from the ceiling of an incredible building, oh no sir! I will shake my head and mutter about my taxes being wasted the entire time, promise.

Yabu and massively missing the point of why they do these amazing things in the first place. I for one can't wait to take my daughter to see it.

For free.

QuizteamBleakley I'd be surprised if Dickie Attenborough was voicing it as he died in 2014.

I am so there! I love that bastard whale to bits!!?

YABU - fantastic programme and worth every penny to move that amazing whale into position.

YABVVVU. But well done for drawing attention to this fab display, as I hope lots of people will be able to see it for themselves. It makes sense for the blue whale to take centre stage, since they are the biggest animal ever to have lived and have an important conservation story to tell. Also it's great that Dippy is touring, allowing more people to see her who can't get to London. The NHM does a truly amazing job of inspiring generations of kids in the wonder of our natural world. It's sad that you can't see that. That's something money can't buy.

As I have posted before, I work at NHM. I haven't seen the show yet so I don't know how they presented things. Thank you to every one who's said such lovely, supportive things, it really is an amazing place.

~~Following statement is my personal opinion only and not an official NHM statement~~

The recent changes were essential and were carried out (and believe me, years of planning went into it) as carefully and fiscally soundly as possible. The changes to Hintze Hall were made based on what best suits our remit to serve and educate the public about natural history, and our remit to conservation work. Many people are unaware that NHM is actually one of the largest and most respected scientific research centres in its field. Some of my colleagues are involved in malaria research that has the potential to save millions of lives. We are involved in all manner of conservation projects around the world. We even worked with Speedo to design new swimsuits for Olympic athletes! (Okay that one is more of a fun fact.) Our work matters, not just in terms of educating people (though that's important too) but in actual scientific research. We are also one of the only places in the UK that I know of where members of the public can bring specimens in to be identified and analysed for free.

However we are under massive pressure from the current government to start charging entrance fees. Mike Dixon is steadfast against this, and we all support him. I can't go into detail but a side benefit to the Hintze Hall change will be increased revenue.

The research trip was not some kind of jolly. And having been privy to some of the inner workings of the move, there is certainly no way it would have been done "in half a day." For example the whale had to spend ages in an aircraft hanger having stress tests done on it, to ensure it wasn't going to squish a load of kids.

People are freaking out about Dippy being moved but Hintze Hall has had various displays over the years. The main display used to be lions and elephants. I understand that Dippy is beloved and we all love him/her too, but change is a constant of life. At the moment we're planning some changes to the garden and there are absolutely outraged nonsense being spouted online by people who don't have a clue what changes are actually being planned.

And in sacrificing museum funding, we also sacrifice those children whose parents can't afford to pay however much to get into museums should they be forced to start charging entry fees to stay afloat

I so agree with this. I studied Geology at university, have worked as a Geologist since I graduated 25 yrs ago and am a Chartered Geologist. I put this career path pretty much entirely down to the hours I spent in the Geological Museum (now NHM Earth Galleries) as a child. Taken by my very enthusiastic big brother- 30 years a Science teacher.

Well said TabascoToastie. Some people are just scared of change.

Yanbu op.
Whale watching trips superfluous and yes money wasted.
The NHM has an amazing collection but actually for visiting is very child unfriendly
Tge Oxford natural history museum is better for kids ime.

We visit the natural history museum monthly. I love the place and feel it is a massive privilege to have access to it.
It is a fabulous way to spend a couple of hours.
Am looking forward to seeing the whale.

Very child unfriendly? Can't say we've ever found it so. In fact, more child unfriendly would be good because then it wouldn't be rammed all the time.

"The NHM has an amazing collection but actually for visiting is very child unfriendly"

That's why hundreds of children visit it every day.

Not entirely sure how anyone could call it child unfriendly?

Dippy is off on tour so everyone outside of London can see him for a change!