Interlude: Cultivating Wisdom, Predatory Journals, and Understanding Copyright
Earlier this week, I was walking around my neighborhood, listening to a podcast interview, and the guest said something that stopped me in my tracks:
"We're drowning in information. We're starving for wisdom."
I think most of use feel that way. I think I can safely say that we've all felt overwhelmed by a flooding inbox, continuous social media feeds, and multiple browser tabs open at once.
Back in 2008, researchers estimated that people consume an average of 34 GB of information a day. And that was almost 20 years ago. I imagine that number is higher today.
With so much information—and with new content appearing faster than we can read it—how do we discern what's accurate, reliable, and good quality?
That's where wisdom comes in.
Wisdom is not just about consuming information. It's the ability to step back, evaluate, and act with discernment.
And it's also why I believe that AI can be a valuable writing partner—but not a replacement for human judgment.
AI generates information. Humans cultivate wisdom.
And that wisdom is what your readers (and the world) need most.
Now onto this week's round-up...
Round-up
From My Desk
How to Spot Predatory Journals Before You Submit
Predatory journals are getting harder to spot—and the consequences of submitting to one can be disastrous for your research and publishing plans. In this video, I share a clear, repeatable process for deciding whether a journal deserves your manuscript—or whether it's safer to walk away.
Upcoming
5-Day Challenge
When writing for experts, you might fear that simple language will seem simplistic, offend readers, defy convention, or erode your status as an expert in your field. But simple language is a powerful, evidence-based tool for crafting a clear, persuasive message. In this FREE 5-day challenge, you’ll uncover the power of using simple writing principles to amplify your science—and maximize the impact of your work. Doors close today! Save your spot
Reading
Five things to know about NSF’s new rules on merit review
". . . the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced changes to its highly regarded system of reviewing the some 50,000 grant proposals received each year. The move has created uncertainty and anxiety across the U.S. scientific community. Here are five things to know about the changes, which went into effect on 15 December."
Update to AMA guidelines on figure titles
"Titles of figures, including diagrams, photographs, and line drawings, should include identification of the type of figure, which may be useful for interpretation, aid in searching, and help meet accessibility standards for those with visual impairment who use assistive technology such as screen readers."
Top 10 Misconceptions About Copyright in Medical Communications
"The reuse of published material in medical communications projects is common practice but understanding how this activity intersects with copyright law can be confusing and fraught with misunderstanding that can lead to greater risk of infringement to your organization. Here are some common misconceptions around content access and reuse and guidelines for educating yourself — and your clients — on the responsible use of published content."
Watching
How reading changes the way your brain works
You might think that reading is something that comes naturally. But our brains developed the capacity to read over thousands of years. In this video, you'll learn the value of reading, how language evolved over time, and how the language we read channels different parts of the brain.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
