This was posted over 18 years ago; my opinions, thoughts, attitude, and writing style may have evolved since then, and this post might have been different if it were to be posted today.
“It could [mean actual advances in the field of] science,” said [Dr. Paul Armstrong], acting secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, one of seven museums, universities and labs to launch the encyclopedia. “This is a project that is so big, not even the Smithsonian, could do it by itself. It is a global effort.”