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Dear Readers, Who Are You? Why Do You Read about Addiction?

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


Somehow, it's been a year, and throughout it, this blog has gone through something of an evolution. While always intended to focus on addiction and mental illness, I've begun skewing towards the cultural, mainly because there already exist excellent drug bloggers like DrugMonkey and David Kroll who cover hard drug chemistry. I'm interested in people, their stories, how addiction ties into society, as well as how it should influence (and be influenced by) science.

Because I'm hardly a traditionalist, I'd particularly like to know who my audience is (since it may be away from the usual SciAm readership pack), and on this first anniversary, all of the bloggers are making similar entreaties. I'd love to hear from you. Take a look at the questions below, and answer one or several if you could.

Commenting here is really easy (and will become even easier by the end of the year). “Registration” is a misnomer, it’s just a login on a separate page from the blog post. When you click on “Register” you are taken to a page where you give us a name, an email address and a password. Pseudonyms are welcome. Then you come back (there is no confirmation email you need to wait for, etc), click on “Log In” and enter the same name and password and are ready to comment. Please do.


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1) Tell me about you. Who are you? Do you have a background in science? If so, what draws you here as opposed to meatier, more academic fare? And if not, what brought you here and why have you stayed? Let loose with those comments.

2) Tell someone else about this blog and in particular, try and choose someone who's not a scientist but who you think might be interested in the type of stuff found in this blog. Ever had family members or groups of friends who've been giving you strange, pitying looks when you try to wax scientific on them? Send 'em here and let's see what they say.

3) How did you come across this blog?

4) If you were me, what would you write about? What would you like to see more of that I'm overlooking?

About Cassie Rodenberg

I write, I listen, I research, I tell stories. Mostly just listen. I don't think we listen without judgment enough. I explore marginalized things we like to ignore. Addiction and mental illness is The White Noise behind many lives -- simply what Is. Peripherals: I write on culture, poverty, addiction and mental illness in New York City, recovering from stints as a chemist and interactive TV producer. During the day, I teach science in South Bronx public school.

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