Back in June, I posted an entry suggesting that part of the reason that science is not considered cool for kids to study is that scientists are portrayed so poorly in the media. Scientists are either shown as super geeks on prime-time television, or as boots-and-shorts wearing treehuggers on PBS’s many science related specials. And PBS is where scientists come out looking their best as far as television goes.
As a specific example I considered Fast Company magazine, a business rag with big, beautiful photos of otherwise unphotogenic business executives, and articles that sing their deeds with more than a hint of hero-worship. I remember reading this magazine in high school and thinking that being a business executive at some start-up firm would be the coolest possible career. Where was a magazine like this for science, I asked? I had scoured the shelves bookstores for years and seen nothing that gives equal treatment to the profession of science and its practitioners.
A reader of that entry wrote me and suggested Seed Magazine. At that time it was not in publication, so it wasn’t until this past November that I was able to find it at the bookstore. Over the Christmas holiday I read it through and found it to be everything I was looking for, and more.
Seed is published bi-monthly, and features several articles wrote by either scientists themselves, or by experienced science writers. The October/November issue ran an article by Chris Mooney on the Dover Intelligent Design trial (Mooney recently published The Republican War on Science), along with one on why our particular brane universe has three dimensions by a string theorist, and more. The writing is intelligent but accessible, and not as in-depth as Scientific American, though that may be because this is the first issue after a big redesign and a lot of ground had to be covered. Also, the focus is not necessarily just on the science, but also on how the science affects culture, as given by their sub-title “Science Is Culture.” I totally agree.
The newsstand price is $5, a year’s subscription is $15, and if you go to their website they’ll send you a free issue. It’s definitely worth checking out, I’ve not enjoyed reading a magazine this much since, well, ever. Also, the website is worth a visit by itself, and features an RSS feed (not yet running), podcasts, and regular updates.
Sounds like a great magazine. I stopped at Border’s on the way home and they show it in their list but had no copies. I guess I’ll sign up for the free issue.
-Bruce
I couldn’t agree with Anthony about Seed Magazine. It’s a very well done popular science magazine with very good writing. Consider it a bit less daunting than Scientific American but a little more serious than Discovery Magazine.
I meant agree MORE with Anthony.