Did I bail out the RI? Don't take the Michael. My sources tell me that it was a consortium of unpaid science communication interns with deep pockets and exceedingly wealthy parents. That, and a bit of arm-twisting marketing courtesy of Professor Sir Brian Cox OBE. It's amazing!
Francis
On 22 Mar 13, at 18:22, Michael Kenward <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Given the earlier chat a month or so ago about the impending demise of the Royal Institution, I’m surprised that no one has mentioned the latest episode in the saga.
>
> Royal Institution rescued by £4.4m donation | Science | The Guardian
>
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/mar/19/royal-institution-rescued-donation?INTCMP=SRCH
>
> Over on another list there has been some speculation about the likely source of the loot. One person rejected the idea that it was the usual suspect on the grounds that said body does not do anonymous, even though the amount of money involved is probably the sort of spare change found stuffed down the back of a sofa.
>
> Was it someone here who raided their piggy bank?
>
> This is, of course, just a breathing space, time for the RI to come up with a vision and strategy that some people here found lacking.
>
> As the Guardian story puts it:
>
> Martin Knight, chair of the RI's finance committee said: "Some people might say we've been saved. We've not been saved, we've merely staved off the evil day."
>
> It is interesting that the article also compares the RI with the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), which has 10 times as many members and seems to be a thriving body.
>
> MK
--
Dr Francis Sedgemore
journalist, writer and physicist
telephone: +44 7840 191336
website: sedgemore.com
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