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	<title>Comments on: Attention, Philadelphia: We&#8217;re Invading Your Brain</title>
	<link>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/</link>
	<description>A blog about life, past and future. Written by DISCOVER contributing editor and columnist Carl Zimmer.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:11:05 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>By: Bonnie</title>
		<link>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12820</link>
		<dc:creator>Bonnie</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:00:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12820</guid>
		<description>I would also like to know when a podcast will be available.  An ad in Discover Dec promised full coverage online.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I would also like to know when a podcast will be available.  An ad in Discover Dec promised full coverage online.</p>
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		<title>By: JohnK</title>
		<link>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12225</link>
		<dc:creator>JohnK</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:06:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12225</guid>
		<description>Carl,

The picture your have of a brain in a transparent skull is similar to many others. It shares with them the common problem of scale: 
 
   The brain is too small. 

The orbital surface of the frontal lobes should be just above the eyes (orbits). The frontal pole should be slightly behind the forehead. But the biggest problem is that the brainstem, and exit of the spinal cord, are way too high. The foramen magnum is, I think, much lower.

For some strange reason, all images like this have similar errors. The cover of the Society of Neurosciences publication, "Brain Facts', has a similar error, and it's worse.

This is being a bit picky. But there is a larger point. It is frequently difficult for scientists to communicate well with scientific illustrators. Perhaps as a result, one of the weakest aspects of science writing, especially popular science writing in books, are the illustrations. There are notable exceptions. 

I teach a lot. I spend more time on figures than anything else. Although I'm only a so-so illustrator, I give a lot of thought to accuracy, clarity and expressing what I'm trying to show. Graphics are also important in presenting research, but that's another topic. But I feel the importance of good images in presenting ideas is frequently overlooked.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Carl,</p>
<p>The picture your have of a brain in a transparent skull is similar to many others. It shares with them the common problem of scale: </p>
<p>   The brain is too small. </p>
<p>The orbital surface of the frontal lobes should be just above the eyes (orbits). The frontal pole should be slightly behind the forehead. But the biggest problem is that the brainstem, and exit of the spinal cord, are way too high. The foramen magnum is, I think, much lower.</p>
<p>For some strange reason, all images like this have similar errors. The cover of the Society of Neurosciences publication, &#8220;Brain Facts&#8217;, has a similar error, and it&#8217;s worse.</p>
<p>This is being a bit picky. But there is a larger point. It is frequently difficult for scientists to communicate well with scientific illustrators. Perhaps as a result, one of the weakest aspects of science writing, especially popular science writing in books, are the illustrations. There are notable exceptions. </p>
<p>I teach a lot. I spend more time on figures than anything else. Although I&#8217;m only a so-so illustrator, I give a lot of thought to accuracy, clarity and expressing what I&#8217;m trying to show. Graphics are also important in presenting research, but that&#8217;s another topic. But I feel the importance of good images in presenting ideas is frequently overlooked.</p>
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		<title>By: Angela Wingers</title>
		<link>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12194</link>
		<dc:creator>Angela Wingers</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:46:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12194</guid>
		<description>When will the podcast be available?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When will the podcast be available?</p>
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		<title>By: Angela Wingers</title>
		<link>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12193</link>
		<dc:creator>Angela Wingers</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:41:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12193</guid>
		<description>I am a video producer and screenwriter.  I would also like to have a copy too.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I am a video producer and screenwriter.  I would also like to have a copy too.</p>
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		<title>By: forrest benson</title>
		<link>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12009</link>
		<dc:creator>forrest benson</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:13:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2008/11/17/attention-philadelphia-were-invading-your-brain/#comment-12009</guid>
		<description>I am a college faculty member and writewr in the area .. I would love to have a cpopy of your comments at the presentation ...</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I am a college faculty member and writewr in the area .. I would love to have a cpopy of your comments at the presentation &#8230;</p>
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