从百年“百本科普佳作”入选书单看美国科普作品观的变迁

A Discussion on the Change of the Science Writing Conception in U.S. from the Selecting of “One Hundred Books on Science” for a Century

本文将20世纪20年代美国华盛顿科学院拟出的"百本优秀科普佳作"和2011年《美国科学家》杂志选出的"20世纪百余本科普佳作"进行对比分析,从入选书目的类别、具体书目、作者身份等方面的变化做了探讨,认为经历约一个世纪之后,美国的科普作品观念经历了从注重科学知识的传播到以弘扬科学理念、激发科学精神为旨归的转变,而优秀的科普作品则以普及效果的广度(受众广泛)和深度(激发科学兴趣)为衡量标准。同时,"普及"的观念已经基本成为科学家的一种自觉,甚至成为科学研究的题中应有之意。这些都为我们培养自己的科普大家和培育我国优秀科普佳作提供了借鉴。

The article focuses on the comparison between ＂ One Hundred Popular Science Books＂ compiled by the Washington Academy of Sciences In 1921, and ＂100 or so Books that shaped a Century of Science＂ made by American Scientist in 2011. By comparing the category, items and the authors of the selected books, the notion of science writing in America changing from popularizing the knowledge to inspiring the science ideas and interest can be shown clearly, as well as the ＂popularizing＂ being the consciousness of scientists and science studies today. All these can be referenced for our own science writings.