From the editor: Feedback
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Symmetry has now been published for six months. It has been a whirlwind beginning for this new type of collaborative venture for SLAC and Fermilab. We hope our initial issues are indicative of a long future serving our diverse readership. And we have discovered it is indeed diverse. You are physicists, teachers, policy makers, science fans, students, musicians, journalists, artists, lab neighbors, and politicians; you live in the community near Fermilab or SLAC, throughout the United States, or you live in any of dozens of countries; some of you speak English, some of you are learning it, and some of you speak so many languages that it puts us all to shame.
Since the first issue, we have been speaking with a representative sample of readers to find out how we're doing. Based on your feedback, we are generally on the right track, but we know there are some things you would like to see a little different. We're making changes to satisfy you, and we are always keen to hear more: what you like, what you don't like, suggestions for stories, or things that you'd rather not see.
We know that you particularly like some regular sections of the magazine, and some of our features have been particularly well-appreciated. For example, the story "Extreme Neutrinos" from our premiere issue has been translated and reprinted in the Italian science magazine Newton. We see some of our stories being discussed, dissected and debated in the blogosphere, such as on Quantum Diaries (www.quantumdiaries.org), and spreading out beyond.
Along with issues of content, your ideas about design, distribution and any other aspects of the magazine are very useful to us. If you have discriminating fingers, you might have noticed that the cover paper on the most recent two issues is thinner and that the magazine is easier to open and keep open. That change was made in direct response to feedback from readers. We have also changed some aspects of design to improve the readability of the magazine, again based on feedback.
Some future issues of symmetry will focus on specific topics within the vast field of particle physics. We hope to present you with authoritative guides to some of the most important ideas, experiments and developments. For example, next month's issue will look at the many facets of neutrinos, including new and upcoming experiments. But perhaps there is a topic that you would like to see discussed in greater depth, whether related to future progress of the field, or some existing area that you have heard discussed but about which you would like to read a comprehensive summary.
Whatever your thoughts, contact us via mail, phone calls or email. If you have something you want to say to the broader readership, send a letter to the editor (letters@symmetrymagazine.org). We're looking forward to hearing from you, so we can make symmetry even better.
David Harris
Editor-in-Chief
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