Yeah, keep the museum, but I worked in the New York site for 2 1/2 years and the worse part was the crappy equipment used to view the shows. Haven't been there since 2004, but I sure hope they've renovated the NY museum!!!

There's also the question of licensing -- the material in question is available to view in person at the museum, but there would be a hellacious struggle getting it all licensed for distribution on the web.

if you're interested
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/

There's the IMAX, cinerama & some of the earliest examples of all media stuff there & have regular talks from cool people (I saw Ray Harryhausen there) it's AWESOME (not been to the museum part for a year or so though)

We have a National Media Museum in the UK (in my town of Bradford) & I'd say it was more important to have physical evidence of history than virtual.

What if the internet blew up, or became obsolete (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Domesday_Project as an example of that possibility)?

It is absolutely necessary. First, it's not just a museum of television and radio - they've widened their scope to cover all forms of media. Second, the vast media collection that they house on both coasts allows them to bring back little seen productions for rare public viewings. (For example, Richard Burton's Hamlet performed on Broadway - not that it made me like the play any more, but it was certainly cool to see on the big screen, hear his daughter's commentary just before the screening, plus, it highlighted a different form of filming that no longer exists.) Third, their annual Paleyfest and other sessions year-round allow the public a different view of the people we see on the little screen all the time...without having to wade through ComicCon crowds. And finally, the Paley Center really does much more than just have a library or let stalkers see their favorite stars up close and personal - judging by last night's Going Green in the Entertainment Industry, they've got a vested interest in more than just the entertainment community.

There are tons of things that are still only viewable at the museum, from what I understand. The fact that they have no real program to make those things available on the web is criminal.

It's similar to the difference between going to a baseball game and watching it on television.

I say yes, absolutely the museum is still necessary.

Your question is as absurd as asking: Is there any reason to ever leave the house anymore?

Yea the museum is still necessary. Pictures can't do justice for most things. Seeing a picture of a 108 in plasma is cool. Seeing pictures of people standing by it shows scale. To stand in front of it yourself is another experience entirely. Same applies for almost anything else, cars, art, architecture, you can see pictures of them all but to witness the greats in each of these categories is an experience that should never be done away with because the internet makes it all 'accessible'.