I guess the question is: to what extent does any form of academic exposure legitimise nationalist opinions such as these?
It seems to me there are two aspects to the answer. The first is in relation to the academic sphere. Cornelius Holtorf is making a valid and important investigation into the mechanisms by which false histories and heritage are constructed, and I've no doubt a dialogue on the subject will be a successful outcome of the event.
However this must be balanced against the other aspect - the extent to which invitation to such an event will be manipulated *in the public sphere* by Osmanagich et al. Regardless of the reception/criticism his ideas receive in Sweden, such an invitation can be played very well to non-academics through the media (the use of which, Osmanagich has already proved himself adept). All is required on the blurb to his next public talk is "... as received by the professoriate of Linnaeus University" = valuable legitimacy relating to a real event.
I can see both sides, but I think I come down in favour of stifling such people by denying them the oxygen of publicity.
Ben
Sent from my iPhone
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Dr Ben Edwards
Lecturer in Archaeology
On 15 Oct 2011, at 20:05, "geoff carver" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> More on the same issue:
> http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeology/2011/10/swedish_university_invites_
> ima.php
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