MEET on BBC TV / update

[Lucien Nunes]

I'm delighted to announce that some time in the next few days / weeks, BBC Breakfast will be airing a short piece about MEET (The Museum of Electrical and Electronic Technology.) I'm expecting it to include an interview in which I explain our original plan and the impact of my declining health on being able to achieve it, plus a couple of demonstrations of how the MEET concept generates exciting STEM learning potential from some of our vintage exhibits. If they give me advance warning of the TX date and time, I'll post it in this thread.

In the meantime, my physical abilities are diminishing to the point of finding it increasingly difficult to walk. As I put it in the interview, we are 'some weeks away' from finally having to pull the plug on MEET, as we have not found anyone to lead the project as a whole once I am gone. Sam Battle of the Not Obsolete Museum is very much in the loop and there is still scope for extensive collaboration with him and others, but as with all these options time is against us to devise a holistic solution.

Disbanding would be a huge blow that negates most of the last 15 years of my life but I have to accept that if it gets left too long I won't have the strength left to oversee dispersing, rehoming and scrapping the collection. The latter sounds dramatic, but in reality there are many objects in the collection that are not 'collectables' in the normal sense, and equally unattractive for other museums to take on if they are not in a position to use them as educational resources in the way that we would within MEET.

As I have said elsewhere, above and beyond the collection I am keen to preserve and promote the MEET concept. Dispersing telephones to a telephone museum, radios to a radio museum, computers to a computer museum etc. works contrary to MEET's principle of making all these things accessible and inviting to non-specialist and non-technical audiences, therefore that kind of 'Plan B' is very much a last resort.

At least for the moment we're alive and kicking, so if you fancy a huge challenge that will probably earn you both an MBE for services to education and a fork-lift truck ticket, don't be shy. Come and talk to us!

[Draker4c]

I would seriously talk to your MP to help check out funding for keeping your collection together. Exhibits which could inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and inventors should form part of a national strategy for increasing UK technologies.

[Draker4c]

It would certainly be worth getting involvement while the publicity is there..

[Lucien Nunes]

Exhibits which could inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and inventors should form part of a national strategy for increasing UK technologies.

I wholeheartedly agree; this is exactly my reason for forming MEET and the crux of my message.

Funding, as you mention, is vitally important,. Unusually though, it is not currently our biggest challenge. I had planned to spend more or less the next 20 years leading the project with all my energy, pulling the team and resources together and make it all happen. When I was suddenly incapacitated by the initial effects of the cancer, lots of people rallied round and contributed to solve my immediate problems, for which I am very grateful and humbled by the sheer amount of goodwill out there. But now that it is clear that I won't be around to lead the project for very much longer, the focus has shifted from garnering support to the question of who will replace me in the driving seat. As yet, no-one has come anywhere near making any kind of offer to do that, and none of the existing trustees are in a position to do so.

The bottom line is that there is no point keeping a collection of stuff unless there is someone with vision, energy and commitment to engage others with it and enable them to grow and learn from it.

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by Lucien Nunes

I wholeheartedly agree; this is exactly my reason for forming MEET and the crux of my message.

Funding, as you mention, is vitally important,. Unusually though, it is not currently our biggest challenge. I had planned to spend more or less the next 20 years leading the project with all my energy, pulling the team and resources together and make it all happen. When I was suddenly incapacitated by the initial effects of the cancer, lots of people rallied round and contributed to solve my immediate problems, for which I am very grateful and humbled by the sheer amount of goodwill out there. But now that it is clear that I won't be around to lead the project for very much longer, the focus has shifted from garnering support to the question of who will replace me in the driving seat. As yet, no-one has come anywhere near making any kind of offer to do that, and none of the existing trustees are in a position to do so.

The bottom line is that there is no point keeping a collection of stuff unless there is someone with vision, energy and commitment to engage others with it and enable them to grow and learn from it.

I think that is true for major, 'broader band' collections, but demonstrably most collectors of vintage wireless sets do it purely for their own enjoyment, a hobby. And there's nowt wrong with that.

[Lucien Nunes]

Sure thing; I meant that only in the context of the museum, rather than a private collection.

[Sinewave]

There is every point in keeping everything.

[Lucien Nunes]

From an academic and philosophical standpoint, yes. But a museum needs to be viable overall as an operation, which means delivering benefits commensurate with the costs incurred. Even if we have ulterior motives to save things because we believe in them, the business plan needs to look plausible before one can attract any funding.

[fetteler]

Yes, absolutely correct and in that regard I wish you every success. It's a bold venture which as you rightly say needs committed and enthusiastic guidance - here's hoping the right person appears soon to underpin the museum's future.

Best wishes,

Steve.

[Lucien Nunes]

Update: MEET interview will be broadcast on BBC Breakfast next Tuesday May 2nd. We don't know what time, probably between 06:00 and 09:15. Stay Tuned!

[Lucien Nunes]

BBC Breakfast have just been in touch to apologise that because some live programme segments inc. Keir Starmer's overran, they had to postpone some pre-recorded ones inc. mine. Will let you know when it gets re-scheduled.

[buggies]

Thanks for the timely update - saved me searching through 3 hour recording...

[Lucien Nunes]

Update: I've just been advised that the interview has been rescheduled for transmission tomorrow Wednesday May 3rd.

[Kentode]

Set your recorders for 7:20 AM. It will probably be repeated throughout the morning.

I sincerely hope that it fires the imagination of someone who can help see this to fruition.

[dave walsh]

It was flagged up around 6-30am as Ken indicated and shown at 7-25am. A vast undertaking on Lucien's part with only a small amount of the collection at that location. Hopefully there will be someone that can take over as the presenters said. Viewers have started sending in photos of what they regard as vintage items but many of those may be still current to Forum members Who knows what might turn up as a result?

Dave W

[David G4EBT]

Excellent Lucien - you came across really well!

It put into perspective just what a comprehensive and eclectic (as well as electric!) the MEET collection is.

Every good wish for a positive outcome.

[chriswood1900]

Well done Lucien, an excellent and inspiring broadcast. I do hope it leads to a positive outcome.

[Buzby123]

Luciens's plan for a museum that explains the links between tech across both time and function reminds me of the Pitt Rivers collection in Oxford. The ethos there is very similar, e.g Mauri tattoos linked to punk piercings, as both are surgical body art.

I do hope the TV exposure will find a capable party to continue this most interesting idea.

[stevehertz]

Great broadcast Lucien and I hope you get your wish regarding the museum.

[Stockden]

I didn't see it this morning but it's being repeated on today's lunchtime news as I type this. As others have said Lucien, an excellent broadcast!

Hugh