Let's Do Science!

Dry Store Room No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum by Richard Fortey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Richard Fortey peppers his description of the behind-the-scenes views of the Natural History Museum with salacious gossip about the past denizens.  Apparently, scientists are not immune to the amorous arts.  Who'd've thought?! Historically, the museum changed from being run by the elite in scientific fields and wealthy dilettantes to bean counters.  These days its all about how your research can aid commerce or agriculture and there is precious little science for its own sake.  Scientists around the world can't keep up with species yet to be cataloged, some that are only interesting for their own sake and some that may provide medical value.  Fortey is lucky to have done his trilobite research back when research was an end in itself. 

Statue of Darwin overseeing the entrance hall to the Natural History Museum -
from our trip to London (see other photos from my Flickr set).

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