Don't let those brain cells go to waste! Pick up one of Jamie's recommended reads and see for yourself what he likes so much about each.
* NEW SCIENTIST
This publication has a huge quantity of digestible, nugget-sized information about science- and technology-related topics. While it often does not go into them in much depth, its articles give a good, concise feel for the issues it covers, and it is less America-centric than my other favorite publication, Scientific American. It also has an excellent online library of past issues that you can search for answers to questions. It is very current, fun and lively reading.
* SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN
This needs no introduction; anyone interested in science and the world at large has read this magazine — or should — regularly. The coverage is often just about as deep, and a little more, than a layperson can handle. The range of topics and the presentations are clear, concise, current, and often give enough information to give a strong, basic understanding of the subject at hand.
* SCIENCE
This magazine is, for the most part, too much for me to deal with. But I like to have access to it nevertheless, even if I don't have the time to go through everything in it. The coverage is excellent, and when you are seriously interested in a topic an article in it is covering, you need to read it. I don't like to only scratch the surface of things — this is real science, and real information.
* POPULAR MECHANICS
This is candy, but good for you. No-nonsense, current technology and science. A must-have for anyone that is interested in current gadgets, trends, consumer products and daily concerns where man meets technology. I have written a number of articles for this magazine; the editorial staff is a great group of people and they are really on the ball. For me, reading this is just pure fun.
* POPULAR SCIENCE
Similar in many ways to Popular Mechanics. It may be a bit more oriented toward speculative topics, but still has a lot of current technology information and science in it. Also a great deal of fun to read, and impossible to not have.
* DESIGN NEWS
Current engineering and design coverage. New products and technology. Serious engineering issues covered concisely and clearly over a wide range. Interesting even for the layperson, but likely mostly for engineers.
* HARPERS
Wonderful articles, thought provoking. Wide-ranging topics from social issues to fiction. Very fun and intelligent.
* NEW YORKER
Along with Harpers, this is thoughtful, current stuff. Very intelligent and fair, varied in its topics.
* NEW YORK TIMES
You can't really be aware of what is going on in the world at large without reading this. Nothing more I can say.
* ROBOT MAGAZINE
Up-to-date info on robotics from hobby to industrial/scientific robots. Bonus with this is that you can actually buy and build your own stuff with the myriad products that are profiled or advertised in these rapidly developing technologies.
