Re: Science/Journalism leadership

On Thu, Dec 23, 2010 at 4:32 PM, Seb Gillen <sebgillen@gmail.com> wrote:

That sounds great. So, as of now, you'd like me to try to find some writer/scientist pairings? Will there be an IRC meeting this coming Wednesday?

On Thu, Dec 23, 2010 at 1:21 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:

Forget about the first article thing; I'll be doing that with Sascha or another of our scientists. For now, I could use someone to take a look at the list and suggest a few more pairings for me. No rush, as I have a couple already. We've also got a couple of young people who will be getting us contact info for papers and pubs that might be interested in running the resulting articles. I'll also be cc'ing you on all sci/journ business such that you can make a note of what's going on and thus be able to oversee anything that comes up, as well as to remind me when I have forgotten to do something (which will be your main job, as Clark and others have learned). For the time being, Clark will help you as you develop your role into whatever it will become, and at some point, hopefully, my role will merely be to make the introductions and occasionally promote our program elsewhere, whereas you will be head of the program and perhaps you will find ways to expand it. But we'll decide your role together as we go forward, at any rate. Additionally, I would love to have you come to our IRC meetings on Wednesdays and otherwise provide your input as we continue with other decisions and tasks.

On Thu, Dec 23, 2010 at 12:51 PM, Seb Gillen <sebgillen@gmail.com> wrote:
Barrett--

I'm not sure exactly what I've done to merit being called a "truly remarkable person" but hey, you know what they say---flattery will get you everywhere! I'm definitely interested, no question, but I can't say that I have a tremendously clear idea of what it entails. The goal is to basically coordinate getting the first article published? With a little bit more guidance, I'd be happy to do it!

-Seb

On Wed, Dec 22, 2010 at 7:04 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:

Seb-

If you scroll down, you'll see a general outline of what we're looking for in terms of someone to help me administer the Science Journalism Project. Clark has suggested you as the guy for the job, and I agree. I'm very fond of what you're doing at your blog and I think your knowledge and background is perfect for this project. Please take a look, think it over, ask me any questions, and consider taking this role.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 22, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Subject: Re: Science/Journalism leadership
To: Clark Robinson <robinsonchicago@gmail.com>

I wouldn't mind have Erik running it but I don't think it would be a good idea at this point, as I don't feel that I can communicate with simpatico at this point. I really like Seb Gillen and I'm going to ask him to help administrate this for now, and if he agrees, I can't see why it wouldn't work well. I'd like to have Randall involved and will talk to him soon about specifics.

Thanks for those suggestions in terms of what should be done; that looks perfect to me.

On Wed, Dec 22, 2010 at 6:50 PM, Clark Robinson <robinsonchicago@gmail.com> wrote:

You asked me to think about leadership for the Sci/Journ project.

My conclusion is that you should personally lead it through the publication of the first collaborative article, and at that point the leadership should be handed off to a steering committee of two to four people maximum.

Some leadership steps to get the first article out might include:

Since Sam Apple is going to be the default publisher, find out from him (you may already know) what the length and format requirements will be, as well as an explanation of the payment protocol, for the benefit of those who have not written for him previously.

Informally survey the scientist participants (or some of them) about what things they are working on that they would like to see written up for a lay audience.

Match a few writers with a few scientists and ask both parties in each match to keep us informed of their progress for our benefit in guiding collaborative efforts in the future.

Going down the list of writers, the ones whose writing I have read enough of to feel confident in their expressive skills are: Erik Kain, John Knefel, Randall Gross, and Seb Gillen. You probably know some of the others and can add to this list. I am omitting Charles Johnson, but not Erik or Randall since I do not know that we have utterly burned our bridges with the latter two. Seb Gillen is a truly remarkable person and as you know I think highly of Knefel.

I will leave it up to you whether you think the article should go through us or directly to the publisher, but we are not going to approve, disapprove or engage in quality control.

But we will be available to proof read and be helpful to the extent the writer desires us to be.

What else will be useful to get the first article to publication?

Tell the matchees to copy me on e-mails to you, and I will endeavor to help you with timely follow-ups.

--
Regards,

Barrett Brown
512-560-2302

--
Regards,

Barrett Brown
512-560-2302

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Regards,

Barrett Brown
512-560-2302