Anyone who still doubts that the madness currently possessing American universities matters to society at large should take a stroll through today’s Smithsonian. The Institution has been transformed by a wholesale embrace of the worst elements of America’s academic culture. The staples of cutting-edge academic “research”-smirking irony, cultural relativism, celebration of putative victims, facile attacks on science-are all thriving in America’s premier museum and research complex, its showcase to itself and to the world. The changes at the Smithsonian are not unique to that institution. Museums across the country have rushed headlong into what may be called the “new museologv;’ based on a mindless parroting of academic fads. But the Smithsonian’s embrace of postmodern theory and identity politics is of greatest import, because of the Institution’s contribution to America’s public identity.And of course, the Smithsonian was also eager to jump on the Norman Rockwell was gay bandwagon — in October, their Website ran a massive 6000-word excerpt of Solomon’s biography, which reveals far more about the mindset of its author and publishers than it does any new details of Rockwell’s life."
Other than the Air & Space Museum, I will not visit any part of the Smithsonian.
I noticed historical revision from the minute I entered the American History Museum a few years ago. I spent about an hour, then left in disgust.
If I had my pad / pencil with me, I would’ve documented the glaring factual errors and liberal shading I saw.
I did not, but my revulsion remains.
