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JL 



100 YEARS EXPLORING LIFE, 1888-1988 



What the nostalgic criticisms and occasional frustrations have failed to 

 appreciate is the fact that someone would have been there anyway. It is 

 better to have scientists, with many shared purposes and common interests. 

 As the various parties involved now realize, the community is stronger when 

 the diverse groups share activities. 



MBL science is relatively small-scale science, done largely by visitors. 

 They have grants, of course, and assistants and equipment. And MBL does 

 have absolutely first-rate work in cell biology, physiology, the neuro- 

 sciences, and other fields, so that it is one of the world leaders in those 

 areas. Yet overall the MBL remains on a much smaller scale than the 

 Oceanographic. WHOI was set up with intended connections to the various 

 armed forces and other government and private groups. It employs a much 

 higher percentage of permanent year-round researchers and staff. It re- 

 ceives large government contracts for a wide variety of types of explor- 

 atory work. 



When the Titanic came to town in 1986, in the form of wonderful 

 photos, folios, artifacts, and lots of stories, the MBL welcomed the WHOI 

 team back and congratulated the conquering heros. A few may have felt a 

 little irritated by all the attention ("that can't be real science"), perhaps 



MBL says Bravo! Photograph by M. Rioux, MBL Archives. 



