OLR (1984) 31 (12) F. General 909

F320. Literature of science

84:6360 Cleveland, Harlan, 1984. King Canute and the

information resource. Technol. Rev., 87(1):12-13, 15.

'The growing importance of information in creating wealth is good news for countries less favored by geology and arable land....The poor can get rich by brainwork.' Provided, of course, that the tide of information can not be stemmed. Attempts to stem it are as futile as King Canute's command to the tides. Information is expandable, diffusive, it isn't diluted as it spreads; it is too volatile to be contained for long; attempts to control and own it are bound to fail. Univ. of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey Inst. of Public Affairs, Minneapolis, Minn., USA. (fcs)

84:6361 Freeman, Jo, 1984. Forum. Negotiating a college

textbook contract. PS Newsl. Am. polit. Sci. Ass., 17(1):41-48.

While a contract cannot replace a good working relationship with your editor and publisher, it is absolutely essential to the prevention of misunder- standings and surprises. Publishers are generally willing to negotiate a contract despite their assur- ances that the 'standard contract' is all you need. They are not, however, inclined to bid for your work. Seek legal advice, but do the negotiation yourself. Settle royalties first; then everything else. These are some of the practical tips included in this article. (fcs)

F330. History of science (especially ocean- ography)

84:6362 Groeben, Christiane, 1984. The Naples Zoological

Station and Woods Hole. Oceanus, 27(1):60-69.

The inspiration for establishing the Stazione Zoo- logica came from a marine biological expedition its founder, Anton Dohrn, made to a North Sea island in 1865. Following the development of a portable aquarium and the decision to couple his marine station with a public aquarium (as a source of income), the Zoological Station was opened in 1873. Discussed are the facilities and how they've changed physically over time; the 'table system' wherein working places are rented to governments, insti- tutions, etc.; the superb library; the station's inno- vations in marine organism preservation; and the 'role of Naples as a catalyzer.' The article highlights the life and career of Anton Dohrn and overviews

the Naples-Woods Hole connection from its begin- nings more than 100 years ago. Stazione Zoologica, Naples, Italy. (ihz)

F340. Biographies, obituaries, etc.

84:6363 Ryan, P.R., 1984. Henry Stommei: 'apprentice'

oceanographer. Oceanus, 27(1):55-59.

One of the numerous societies of which 'Hank' Stommel is a member is the Society of Subpro- fessional Oceanographers. (He never received a Ph.D., and, in fact, was declined admission at Scripps!) One of his numerous awards is the Albatross Award (for peculiar accomplishments) of the American Miscellaneous Society granted for 'abandoning oceanography's most cherished chairs.' (He left first Harvard, then MIT, to return to WHOI.) Something of the personal and professional style of 'the world's leading authority on the Gulf Stream,' a pioneer and preeminent oceanographer with over 100 papers to his credit, is described here. (fcs)

F360. Science education

84:6364 Caws, Peter, 1983. Information, instruction, and the

environment. Environment, 25(10): 12-16.

The Scientists' Institute for Public Information and similar organizations used to concentrate on pro- viding information relevant, e.g., to environmental policy. They presupposed the information would be understood and then acted on. But it is clear that it cannot be understood without background instruc- tion, and then there is still the problem of getting action in contexts where the terms worse and better 'depend on whose ox is gored.' Of all the groups one might concentrate on, legislators and business executives 'hold 99% of the real power.' If convinced, they can lead in a way the media and schools cannot by themselves. Dept. of Phil., George Washington Univ., Washington, DC, USA. (fcs)

84:6365 Friedman, S.M., 1983. Environmental reporting:

problem child of the media. Environment, 25(10) :24-29.

Some of the reasons why environmental reporting by the mass media is often viewed as inflammatory and distorted can be explained by the uncertainty and complexity inherent in environmental issues (and in scientific knowledge as a whole); and by the nature of standard journalism procedures which stress hard