When you have been reading a magazine such as Popular Science, Discover or any of the other general science magazines, have you ever felt that you were just a little “too smart” for them? If you have, then Scientific America is definitely a magazine that is worth checking out and worth your time reading.
As a sort of a cross between a scientific journal and a general science magazine, Scientific American strikes a balance between the very detailed and specific scientific writing and writing that is accessible to any curious person interested in science. In general, if you have some science background, and you are willing to stretch your mind around some ideas once and a while, you will not have a problem reading the many wonderful articles throughout this magazine.
I was a regular reader of Scientific American throughout college – or at least when I had enough money to pick up a copy at the local bookstore. After my stint as a Resident Assistant not making any money, I found it in the college library and would read it there instead of buying it. Being in college and being immersed in science (I was a environmental science major – but specialized and minored in geology and biology) I wanted to know as much as possible about as many things as possible. Scientific American was an easy and accessible way to learn about the different parts of science that I wasn’t being exposed to in my classes (such as theoretical physics and computer science) and an opportunity to learn about the most exciting developments in my own field of study (such as geology and biology). Yes, I read geology and biology journals and papers, but has anyone ever read them? They are not exactly the most exciting reads and more times than not – I’d wake up with the book on my face. Scientific American has yet to lull me to sleep.
The magazine is broken down into your typical sections, there are feature articles, various departments and columns.
Features:
Generally there are 5 to 8 feature articles in each issue. The topics generally run the gambit between the scientific disciplines, but sometimes, an issue is focused on one topic and thus all the feature articles follow through on that issue. The April 2003 issue has features on astrophysics, biotechnology, volcanology (one of my favorites), life science, information technology, and medicine.
The researchers doing the research write the feature articles, thus you are getting to look in a window directly at the work of these scientists. These articles are generally summaries and explanations of papers that the research scientists have already had reviewed and published in the scientific journals. The writing is clear, concise and generally not so technical that you will become lost. However, if it is an area you have little knowledge or experience in, you may find yourself a bit perplexed at times. That’s okay, Scientific American provides links to more information at the end of each article and a bibliography for you to research the topic more.
Departments:
SA Perspectives: Each issue’s editorial done by the editorial staff of Scientific American.
How to Contact Us/On the Web: Information for contacting Scientific American and Information about what Scientific American has available on the web based version of its magazine.
Letters: Readers letters and comments on past issues.
50, 100 & 150 Years Ago: Each issue the editors choose a story from an issue 50, 100 and 150 years ago and highlight that story. It’s great to see how scientific learning and knowledge has changed over the years.
News Scan: Brief new stories about the latest news in the scientific world. These stories generally cover the whole of science, with stories from all different disciplines.
Innovations: A look at a new area of research.
Staking Claims: An editorial on various issues in each issue.
Technicalities: A review of some sort of new equipment – April’s issue reviewed the Tablet PC.
Reviews: Book reviews on various scientific publications.
Columns:
Scientific American includes various columns and editorials by various staff and guest writers. This also includes an “Ask the Experts” section where questions raised by readers are answered by the experts in the various fields and a great “Fuzzy Logic” section at the end which is one of the better regular scientific cartoons I have seen.
As I mentioned above, Scientific American does have a presence on the web (http://www.scientificamerican.com). This site generally does not have the same articles as the magazine and has at most, 2 or 3 “feature” articles, along with several other tidbits. In general, I think they want you to read the magazine and pay for it, instead of getting it all for free on the Internet. I can accept this – they have to make a living too and the information they do have available online compliments the magazine – you read the magazine and you can read online – thus you don’t see the same thing twice.
The magazine is available at most newsstands and places where magazines are sold. Its cover price is $4.95. A 12-month subscription is available for $34.97.
Scientific American is definitely worth your time to read – even if you only do so occasionally. With Scientific American, you will be able to expand your horizons and learn about the expanding frontiers of science.
_____________________________
Science Related Reviews
Geology
Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket – The Geologic Story
The Catskills in the Ice Age
The Geology of Snow Canyon
Grand Canyon Geology
Ecology/Wetland Science
In Search of Swampland
General Science
Scientific American
