Correspondence
15
Dear SJIS
I fear your journal has succumbed to trashy tabloid marketing methods and has begun objectifying women in a demeaning fashion to simply boost its popularity. For a journal of such remarkable scientific rigour I would have expected better features than your so called 'sexy science'.
Barbara
We're sorry you feel that way Barbara, but objectifying women was not our intention. As you're likely aware women are woefully under-represented in science, so we only wished to celebrate their accomplishments and hopefully encourage more women to become scientists. The title of that particular feature was not focused on the women, but to simply state that science is sexy and exciting not the boring repetition of facts and figures, which puts off so many of the next generation from even considering a career in science.
What are you currently working on, and how is it at the cutting edge of scientific discovery?
Currently, I study phonons in carbon nanotubes, we make new wires inside these tubes, about 2 atoms in diameter and investigate the properties of them. It’s cutting edge, as the physics is brand new, like a new car, we see interesting effects we wouldn’t have thought.
What are you hoping to work on in the future?
I’d like to pursue this more, but I’d also like to finish a time machine, and my revolutionary invention, a device that sort of clips pieces of paper together.
Apart from Science, what do you get up to in your spare time?
Hah, you must be joking!
In light of the extraordinary discoveries made by the SJIS in its short history, many are saying that there isn’t anything left to discover. What do you say to this, and how are you still in a job?
Well, it’s true the SJIS have discovered a lot, but those that say there isn’t anything left to discover are just wrong I’m afraid. In fact a recent calculation performed by the SJIS supercomputer has determined that there are at least 12 undiscovered discoveries to be made. This is still not counting the many things the International journal of scientific studies and managed to un-discover, basically allowing the SJIS to continually discover new things.
Thanks very much for your time Dr Spencer. One last thing – did you understand the review on page 5?
Yes I did, it was easy.