Other than what I find on
the internet, my second main source of popular
scientific information comes from Discover Magazine.
Since I have been a subscriber, I have not always had
time to read every single article before the next issue
arrives, but I have always read the letters from
readers. I sometimes wonder about the people who write
these letters. Do they have qualifications to support
their comments on their chosen subjects? What are their
motives for writing the letters? Why do their letters
get chosen for print?
Recently I started doing
Google and
Yahoo searches on
the names and locations of the authors of these letters,
starting with the June issue. Their are a few who don't
have much internet exposure other than maybe a physical
or e-mail address with a phone number, but many others
turn out to be very interesting, and have a good deal of
credentials and background relating to their chosen
topics. Initially, I expected to find an abundance of
blogs and individuals' websites more than anything, but
that has not been the case. So far the individuals who
are most reliably pinpointed are the university
professors. There are others, however who have been
involved in some newsworthy event(s) that has made their
name easily recognizable by these search engines. Do the
recognizable and noteworthy people make up the majority
of the people writing letters worth printing? Or are
these letters chosen because of their authors' status?
Maybe I'll find out. This is certainly not an attempted
exposé. It is just a matter of personal interest. If you
find this helpful or interesting, then I am glad to be
of service.
Starting with with the June issue, I will post the
available information about the letter writers, probably
weekly until I am current then will stay current.
Everything will be archived at my main Webiocosm domain.
If I can't find any information that identifies the
letter writer beyond reasonable doubt, then I won't
provide information or links. If you find yourself
mentioned here, and feel that you are being
misrepresented or underrepresented, just leave a comment
here or at the correlating post and I will revise as
deemed appropriate.