Creating Next Generation Interactive Science Magazines with QR code

Abstract

Science magazines play a major role in the popularization of science among the public and creating scientific temper in the society. They act as a bridge between the scientific community and the society. Even though there are more than 50 science magazines published across the globe, very few have maintained consistency in publishing. Scientific American (started in 1845), Popular Science (1872), MIT Technology Review (1899) and American Scientist (1913) are very few that have been consistently published and have crossed the century mark. But these magazines are read mainly by the academic elite, and not by students or lay men. Publishing science magazines is not an attractive business as it is hard to find advertisements and subscriptions. This has affected many regional and national science magazines brought out by publishing houses and individuals. In the long run magazines have life only if they can maintain readership. In this era of digitization, science magazines should be made interactive with QR codes (Quick Response Code). Readers can scan the QR code using their smart phones and instantly view the contents of the magazine in a more interactive manner as videos or podcasts using web 4.0 technologies, which can be shared through social media platforms.