Einstein exibit cancelled in China for merging philosophy/history with it

[Anymouse]

From the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13679688
The Historical Museum of Bern, Switzerland, has cancelled plans to put on an exhibition about the scientist Albert Einstein in Shanghai, China.

Shanghai's Science and Technology Museum had suggested merging the Einstein show with a display about the Chinese philosopher, Confucius.

A Hong Kong newspaper said Beijing had earlier asked for all references to World War II to be removed from the exhibit.

Neither the Shanghai nor the Bern museums have commented officially. (more at article)

China views science and history a bit differently than the West. Bern previously added a display about the Holocoust (why does the speller hit that?) and the Nazi Party when in Hong Kong, miffing the Communist government. So the Shanghai museum wanted to add Confucius, to balance the exhibit with a message of peace over the message of politics and war Bern wanted to add. Bern said they would rather cancel the entire exhibit than remove the information. China's short answer is they don't see why history and religion should be mixed up in a science display about Einstein, who received word of his Nobel Prize in Shanghai in 1931.

[Autumnlicious]

Amazing to see that the US is not the only spoiled bully of a country who tries to get their way.

Kudos to the Swiss for pretty much saying "Take it or leave it"

[Anomalocaris]

I think it is rather commendable to resist attempts to co-opt a person's reputation in science for the purpose of advocating a political, historic or religious view point.

[Rev. Rye]

China views science and history a bit differently than the West. Bern previously added a display about the Holocoust (why does the speller hit that?) and the Nazi Party when in Hong Kong, miffing the Communist government. So the Shanghai museum wanted to add Confucius, to balance the exhibit with a message of peace over the message of politics and war Bern wanted to add. Bern said they would rather cancel the entire exhibit than remove the information. China's short answer is they don't see why history and religion should be mixed up in a science display about Einstein, who received word of his Nobel Prize in Shanghai in 1931.

Well, I'm not sure of the context of the Holocaust itself in the exhibit; I know Einstein left Germany because he feared for his life in Hitler's Germany, but considering that he left shortly after Hitler rose to power, long before the Holocaust could officially go past the phase of simple persecution, I'm not entirely sure just how it would fit in there. On the same token, I'm not sure if deleting it would make the exhibit any better.

Of, and it's spelled Holocaust, with an "a."

[Cinjin]

I think kudos are rightly deserved for resisting China's attempt to ride the coattails of a great man's legacy solely for their own greasy agenda.

@ Moros - Keep in mind that many many Americans are innocent of your accusation about the US. Like every other country, we have powerful leaders we cannot control.
My guess is that many of the commoners in China may feel the same way I do.

[Anymouse]

Of, and it's spelled Holocaust, with an "a."

Thank you. I had it wrong.

And I call myself a copyeditor. Hah.