Dear Alessandro,<br><br>I'm off for 2 weeks and can't process this for the moment, but perhaps you can present this issue by referring to the books issue in particular?<br><br>Michel<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">
---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername"></b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jcom-eo@jcom.sissa.it">jcom-eo@jcom.sissa.it</a>></span><br>Date: Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 8:04 PM<br>Subject: JCOM 10(1) - new issue - March 2011<br>
To: <a href="mailto:michelsub2004@gmail.com">michelsub2004@gmail.com</a><br><br><br>Dear all, we are pleased to announce that the March 2011 issue of JCOM - Journal of Science Communication - (issue 1, volume 10)<br>
<br>
<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/</a><br>
<br>
is online.<br>
<br>
Comments, remarks and papers by you are kindly requested.<br>
<br>
The next issue will be online on the 21st June 2011.<br>
<br>
CALL FOR ARTICLES:<br>
We are seeking articles for a special issue of JCOM focused on the future of science journalism.<br>
For a detailed description of the call topics and further guidance on submission you can see the journal website at<br>
<br>
<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/09/04/call-journalism-2011" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/09/04/call-journalism-2011</a><br>
<br>
CONTENTS:<br>
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EDITORIAL<br>
<br>
The new book<br>
<br>
Daniele Gouthier<br>
<br>
The Internet and digital media are changing science books. They change the way readers approach books and change the way books present their contents. Probably, the Internet and digital media are also changing the contents themselves.<br>
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<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29E/" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)E/</a><br>
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ARTICLE<br>
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Theatre to motivate the study of physics<br>
<br>
Marina Carpineti, Michela Cavinato, Marco Giliberti, Nicola Ludwig, Laura Perini<br>
<br>
A survey we carried out in upper secondary schools showed that the majority of the students consider physics as an important resource, yet as essentially connected to technology in strict terms, and not contributing "culture", being too difficult a subject. Its appreciation tends to fade as their education progresses through the grades. The search for physics communication methods to increase interest and motivation among students prompted the Department of Physics at the University of Milan to establish the Laboratory of ScienzATeatro (SAT) in 2004. Up to May 2010, SAT staged three shows and one lesson-show having physics as a main theme, for students attending any grades at school. Good indicators of the efficacy of those shows are: the number of repeats (256 of them up to May 2010), the reputation of the theatres in which they were performed, and the results of two surveys on the achievement of the goals, which saw the participation of over 50 classes each.<br>
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<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29A01/" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)A01/</a><br>
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In search of a new public for scientific exhibitions or festivals: the lead of casual visitors<br>
<br>
Fabienne Crettaz von Roten<br>
<br>
This article examines the public at a science exhibition or festival and tries to determine whether casual visitors are a means of expanding the audience. According to a Swiss survey of public attitudes towards science (2005), the non-public of a science exhibition or festival is distinguished by demographics such as gender and education (more female and less educated), cultural practices (less frequent) and attitudes towards science (less positive). Considering the Swiss science festival of 2009, casual visitors differ from intentional ones in terms of sociodemographic aspects and scientific cultural practices; on the other hand, casual visitors are close to intentional ones in terms of non-scientific cultural practices and attitudes towards science. Consequently, casual visitors are one way of increasing audiences.<br>
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<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29A02/" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)A02/</a><br>
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**********<br>
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The use of scientific knowledge in the decision making process of environmental public policies in Brazil<br>
<br>
Maria Jos� Carneiro, Teresa da-Silva-Rosa<br>
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The way policy makers mobilize scientific knowledge in order to formulate environmental policies is important for understanding the developmental process of environmental policies. Some biodiversity conservation policies, such as those establishing the conservation units and laws on the regulation of land use in protected areas, were selected as objects of analysis. The aim was to see whether political decision makers are supported by scientific knowledge or not. Based on interviews with technical staff from governmental institutions, politicians and scientists, this study analyzed the way the knowledge is mobilized by policy makers concerning measures related to biodiversity conservation in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). We have concluded that environmental policy makers do not normally use the knowledge produced by scientific and academic institutions. Rather than being based on a systematic bibliographic research on environmental issues, the decisions are supported<br>
�either by personal experience or by expert advice. The measures under analysis were not supported by evidence based on knowledge but motivated by political or economic interests. Paradoxically, policy makers consider themselves sufficiently well informed to make decisions concerning the policy to be implemented.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29A03/" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)A03/</a><br>
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<br>
COMMENT<br>
<br>
Nearly five centuries of science books<br>
<br>
Daniele Gouthier<br>
<br>
In four steps - from Renaissance to the dawn of the 20th century - this issue explores some aspects of the history of book sciences, as research and popularisation instruments also playing a role in economy. Adrian Johns speaks about the origin of science books in the Renaissance. Then, through the papers respectively by Bruce Lewenstein and Paola Govoni, the focus moves to science books in 19th-century America and Italy. They demonstrate that, in both countries, science books were a stimulus to the establishment of a national scientific community. Finally, Francesco De Ceglia exemplifies the role played by agrarian catechisms in the process of spreading farming skills among landowners.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29C01/" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/</a><br>
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Science books and networks in the Renaissance. An interview with Adrian Johns<br>
<br>
Adrian Johns<br>
<br>
The interview portrays the role of scientific books during the Renaissance. Books written within the tradition of skilled technical and intellectual practice shaped the way that led to the birth of modern science. Rooted in a panorama characterized by the multiplicity of cultural authorities, scientific books deeply influenced Renaissance culture and created networks interlaced with the existing trade channels. Big single-authored works, typical in the Renaissance, thereafter would be replaced by smaller-scale publications.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29C01/Jcom1001%282011%29C02" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/Jcom1001(2011)C02</a><br>
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Scientific books in American culture. An interview with Bruce V. Lewenstein<br>
<br>
Bruce V. Lewenstein<br>
<br>
The interview presents an overview on the role of scientific publications during some key periods in United States history. It describes the developing of a culture scientifique in the late XIX century and the increasing relevance of the US within the scientific world, intertwined with a new public demand for science stories; only during the Cold War some books begin to question science. The author here argues that scientific books are a key marker of the way science fits the American culture.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29C01/Jcom1001%282011%29C03" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/Jcom1001(2011)C03</a><br>
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Popularizing science in Italy: a historical perspective. An interview with Paola Govoni<br>
<br>
Paola Govoni<br>
<br>
The interview concerns the role of scientific books in the Italian society from the 19th century until today. Having played an important role in the formation of a national scientific community, science popularization has offered a ceaseless high-quality production during the past two centuries. On the other hand, even today scientific publications do reach only a narrow �lite. In the author's opinion, only the school system has the power to widen the public for science in Italy.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29C01/Jcom1001%282011%29C04" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/Jcom1001(2011)C04</a><br>
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**********<br>
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Farmers for the kingdom of Heaven. Agrarian catechisms in southern Italy in the late enlightenment and the limitations of technical publications<br>
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Francesco Paolo de Ceglia<br>
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Catechism, a literary genre of a religious origin, was once employed in the teaching of 'lay' subjects, especially of a technical nature. This is a review of this past editorial tradition which illustrates the potentialities and the limitations of agrarian catechisms, with a special focus on their spreading across Southern Italy in the late Enlightenment. This paper reflects on whether a book was the best instrument to hand down procedures and notions to people who supposedly were illiterate or unschooled.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001%282011%29C01/Jcom1001%282011%29C05" target="_blank">http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/Jcom1001(2011)C05</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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