a new interdisciplinary journal in the arts and sciences
Science and technology have transformed our world and brought new ways of manipulating our environment, communicating with each other, and solving complex problems. But with these transformations have come new problems and unanswered questions about the work of science and technology. Investigations into these questions have pitted academics from various disciplines against one another. Scientists accuse cultural critics of theorizing irresponsibly, of misunderstanding the process of scientific review, of even denying that objective knowledge exists. Cultural critics accuse scientists of being blind to the social implications of their research and its use by big government and big business. The recent _Social Text_ imbroglio has offered a vivid portrait of the duel between what C. P. Snow termed the RTwo Cultures.S But in the face of a general decline in scientific knowledge and an alarming erosion of public support for academic research of any kind, hasn't the time come for mutual understanding?
EVENT HORIZON is an interdisciplinary forum for researchers and writers in the sciences and humanities. In each issue, we will consider a topic of broad interest. The journal intends to create dialogue between fields that all too rarely interact.
EVENT HORIZON invites contributions from the natural and physical sciences, medicine, computer science, engineering, social science, history, literary and cultural studies, and the arts. Each issue will feature a variety of essays, book and film reviews, and a simple and relevant science experiment.
EVENT HORIZON will foster shared creative and critical exploration. Articles will be printed with responses, contributors will be asked to publicly correspond with colleagues from other disciplines, and panel discussions will be arranged. Disagreement will be encouraged; name-calling will not. We all need to learn more.
EVENT HORIZON is planning its first issue on one of several topics: behavior and genetics; genetic screening; changing patterns of science funding; scientific literacy; relativism and objectivity. One-page proposals that address these topics are requested by 17 February 1997 and manuscripts by 31 March 1997. The inaugural issue of the journal is planned for late Spring 1997.
EVENT HORIZON needs contributors, referees and readers, and curiosity. Please contact:
EVENT HORIZON
c/o Thomas Akbari and Don Fallon
Department of Literatures in English
Murray Hall, CAC
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
e-mail: akbari @eden.rutgers.edu
ubik@eden.rutgers.edu