More On Web 2.0
RUDY M. BAUM · Chemical & Engineering News · 2010
A FEW WEEKS ago, I wrote an editorial on the limits of Web 2.0 (C&EN, April 19, page 3). The editorial focused on criticisms of Web 2.0 culture by Jaron Lanier in his book “You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto.” The editorial generated an interesting post on “The Chemistry Blog” by Azmanam, “Is Chemistry Incompatible with Web 2.0?” Azmanam pointed out that C&EN and ACS are actively experimenting with many Web 2.0 innovations. C&EN, for example, transformed its “CENtral Science” blog into a portal for a number of focused blogs; the magazine has a Facebook page and regularly tweets about its articles. ACS has introduced the ACS Network. Azmanam also cited numerous other chemistry-oriented Web 2.0 applications. However, he conceded: “So all of these prove that Web 2.0 has been talked about many times in the context of science. Has it worked? With the exception of blogs, sadly I’m inclined to say no. At ...