Posted by: KingJacob
Posted on: Sun, Nov 07, 2010, 8:56 pm CST

It's not meant to be taken literally. It implies everyone including those without a BS or Phd, can do science.

Not everything published includes open protocols. A lot of important protocols are patented. Only printing open protocols just means the most restrictive license for any work we will publish is a CC-BY-NC-SA.

There is no "Us vs. Them" mentality because everyone is invited. The entire purpose of the magazine is to help people realize that science is NOT a closed operation. And that it is acessible to "mere citizens". So I'm not sure why you think we are on different sides.

As for the gene samples, its actually a cool idea playing on the inter-connectabilityof biobricks. They are just card stock with the information of the biobrick printed on them like playing cards, and then a miniprep of the dna pipetted onto the card. Heres a picture.

P.s. I know how science works, I am in a Bio lab most every day ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by: KingJacob
Posted on: Tue, Nov 02, 2010, 4:51 pm CDT

Stories of individuals doing quality research in their garage(hackerspace,closet,...), your favorite open science protocol, a design for a piece of lab equipment, research papers,interviews with non-scientists that have ties and insight into citizen science(FBI agent, patent lawyer,etc), "Under-recognized" Scientist of the Month, easy to understand how-tos, even art. The goal is to get a smorgasboard of useful information from a variety of fields, so we can inspire scientists (even those who dont think they are one,yet) to think outside the normal way of doing things.

 

Also, For the first issue we have a quasi theme of "How to start". but only a portion will be related to the theme, so don't worry if you want to submit something thats above a beginners level.

 

Posted by: Genomic Repairman
Posted on: Tue, Nov 02, 2010, 1:48 pm CDT

Dude someone take the damn shovel from him before he digs himself any deeper please.

Posted by: Jason Goldman
Posted on: Tue, Nov 02, 2010, 10:39 am CDT

"Psychology is sometimes considered science and seeing as how it has a lower cost of entry than some other fields, I think it would be suitable for "amateurs". As long as they were focused on the research and not the clinical side of things."

/facepalm

There are so many things wrong with this statement, I'm not sure where to begin.

Posted by: KingJacob
Posted on: Mon, Nov 01, 2010, 10:39 pm CDT

I was actually referring to the lower cost of the research itself. An amateur or citizen scientist wont be doing their work in a university or industry lab so alot of research can be cost prohibitive. Alot of pscyhological research can be done with pen and paper which is alot more wallet friendly than say molecular biology where enzymes cost more than gold.

JaySeeDub, I have a biochem/chef friend of mine working on the MG how-to.  We're talking about lab stuff that is delicious.  I'd say Herve as he seems to care about the science behind it where as Ferran just seems like a chef who makes odd food.

Posted by: Psycasm
Posted on: Mon, Nov 01, 2010, 10:20 pm CDT

What do you mean by a lower cost of entry? That a PhD is easier to obtain than in another field?

I understand that clinical psychology does fall short on many benchmarks of science, but all experimental psychology is based on falsifiable hypotheses. Cognition? Attention? Comparative? Are these topics not 'science'?

Perhaps this forum is not the area to discuss such arguments - I'll open up a discussion thread under general and see what people think.

Posted by: Genomic Repairman
Posted on: Mon, Nov 01, 2010, 8:51 pm CDT

I'm too profane for citizens, I'll pass but I really like the concept.

Posted by: Psycasm
Posted on: Mon, Nov 01, 2010, 7:22 pm CDT

What's the focus? All science, or specifically Bio sciences?

I'd be interested in participating - if you think what I do fits.

Have you a website, or a pitch, or something to that effect?