ABOUT THIS ISSUE
by The Editorial Collective
‘Science for the People’ Vol. 3, No. 2, May 1971, p. 2 — 3
Before you settle down with this issue of Science for the People, we suggest you tum to page 30 and check out the “Spring Action Calendar.” We encourage you to participate in such actions since we believe that it is only through large scale action that this nation will be moved. Also, we would appreciate hearing of any other actions you know of or are planning or have participated in.
Though action is essential so also is thought to guide it, and that’s where Science for the People can help. In this issue, for example, you will find articles which describe and analyze how scientific workers are dealing with the problems of discrimination, political repression, and the misuse of their work for anti-social purposes. These articles attempt to dispel some of the attitudes or ideas which are part of our conditioning as scientists. You will also find articles on science for Vietnam and Cuba which discuss how some of our technical skills can be used to meet people’s needs. And as always, this issue has reports of SESPA/Science for the People activities at scientific meetings and elsewhere. Let us know what you think.
EDITORIAL COLLECTIVE: Alphabet, Herb Fox, Ranganath Nayak, Al Weinrub
CONTRIBUTORS: Jon Beckwith, Bob Cahn, Red Crate Collective, Noman Miller, Liberation News Service, Ira Rubenzahl, George Salzman, Jeffrey Schevitz, Bill Zimmerman
EDITORIAL PRACTICE: Each issue of Science for the People is prepared by a collective assembled from volunteers by a committee made up of past collectives. A collective carries out all editorial, production, and distribution functions for one issue. The following is a distillation of the actual practice of past collectives.
Due dates: Articles received by the first week of an odd-numbered month can generally be considered for the magazine to be issued on the 15th of the next month.
Form: One of the ways you can help is to submit double-spaced typewritten manuscripts with ample margins. If you can send six copies, that helps even more. One of the few founding principles of SESPA is that articles must be signed (a pseudonym is acceptable).
Criteria of acceptance: SESPA Newsletter, predecessor to Science for the People, was pledged to print everything submitted. It is no longer feasible to continue this policy, although the practice thus far has been to print all articles descriptive of SESPA/Science for the People activities. Considerably more discrimination is applied to analytical articles. These are expected to reflect the general political outlook of Science for the People. All articles are judged on the basis of length, style, subject and content.
Editorial procedure: The content of each issue is determined by unanimous consent of the collective. Where extensive rewriting of an article is required, the preference of the collective is to discuss changes with the author. If this is not practical, reasons for rejection are sent to the author. An attempt is made to convey suggestions for improvement. If an article is late or excluded for lack of space or if it has non-unanimous support, it is generally passed on to the next collective.
Editorial statements: Unsigned articles are statements of the editorial collective. Opportunities for participation: Volunteers for editorial collectives should be aware that each issue requires a substantial contribution of time and energy for an eight-week period. Help is always appreciated and provides an opportunity for the helper to learn and for the collective to get to know a prospective member. There are presently plans to move the magazine production to other cities. This will increase the opportunity for participation.