I hate getting journals in the mail.
I guess in this day and age, it probably doesn't happen as much as it used to. But I still somehow have two journals coming at regular intervals to my house.
Do I read these journals? No, of course not.
I'm sure I should. I should at least read all the abstracts, so I can keep abreast of major developments in my field. But I don't even do that. I toss it, feeling simultaneously guilty about both the waste of knowledge and the waste of paper. But what am I supposed to do? Save them? Make some empty promise that someday I'd read them, maybe while I'm on the toilet or something?
I do get regular clinical updates online and I do my CMEs and I work in a somewhat academic environment, so I tell myself that's good enough. I don't have to feel obligated to read Archives of PM&R cover to cover.
"I don't have to feel obligated to read Archives of PM&R cover to cover". Is it because you are illiterate?
ReplyDeleteI don't understand that insult. Maybe because I'm illiterate?
DeleteSorry. It was a dumb joke that failed. Carry on.
DeleteI get the journals too. Usually I scan the article titles, put it on my coffee table, then throw away the next month.
The only thing I really read are the job listings.
I get about four journals a week and I junk them all. I never signed up for any of them, they just show up at my house. I also still get AMA journals all the time despite the fact that I quit paying dues to them five years ago. Every one comes with the warning "Unless you renew now you may be in danger of missing out on further journals!" So far it is an empty threat.
ReplyDeleteDitto. We get so many pharmacy journals with the huge RENEW NOW OR MISS OUT card/insert but they never, ever stop sending them (no matter how much you wish they would!).
DeleteI go through spurts where I read/skim like 10 journals a day (on a weird free weekend or lazy vacation) and get caught up on a few months of journals. I few times it's built up so much I just throw out about a year worth of journals.
ReplyDeleteIt really seems that there is really 1 useful piece of information in each journal and then you waste 10-15 minutes reading about random basic science news blurbs and job listings/book reviews.
the journals are an industry to clannishly promote academic careers, and full of lies, speculation, and repetition. the trick is to find the few true gems of wisdom and knowledge. usually what i agree with.
ReplyDeleteYou could open the cover, find the publishers phone number, and cancel delivery.
ReplyDelete