FEB. 19, 1921 sosman: distribution of scientific information 87 



There can be no doubt as to the superior appeal of pictures as 

 compared with printed words. When we multiply this superior appeal 

 by the factor of motion, so that events are presented almost as 

 vividly as if the observer were present on the scene ; and still have 

 available the factors of repetition at will, physical magnification to 

 bring out details of form, retardation or acceleration of speed to 

 analyze the motions, and finally, accessibility of the whole to a large 

 number of people simultaneously, the possibilities of distribution by 

 film seem almost limitless. 



The method is already in wide use for distributing information. 

 Its use as an adjunct to lectures has already been mentioned, but 

 that use is now of secondary importance. The showing of instruc- 

 tional films as part of a program for which people are willing to pay 

 is not uncommon; as to whether it is increasing or not I am not 

 sufficiently well informed to say. Doubtless this feature of the 

 movie program will have its ups and downs as has the informational 

 article in the newspaper and popular magazine. 



Its philanthropic use is undoubtedly expanding. Among the 

 Federal bureaus, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of 

 Mines, and the Reclamation Service have perhaps made the widest 

 use of the method, having several hundred films available for loan. 



I have briefly touched upon some of the salient features of the 

 "pure components" of our methods of distributing information. 

 These may be, and commonly are, combined in various permuta- 

 tions and combinations, which we cannot consider here in detail. 

 I have also indicated certain directions in which each of our dis- 

 tribution methods fails in effectiveness, which brings us to our third 

 question: What of it? 



III. THE EVILS OF INEFFECTIVE DISTRIBUTION 



The years following 1914 have given an impressive demonstration 

 of the ease with which man may relapse into barbarism, and have 

 set a larger number of persons than usual to thinking on the problem 

 of how best to insure human progress. Although few would publicly 

 dissent from the thesis that to provide for the maximum possible 

 accessibility of our nearest possible approximations to truth is a 

 sine qua non of progress, ^^ yet the survival and frequent approval of 



'* To go further and say that the widest possible dissemination is desirable implies a 

 selection of material, since no individual can absorb all that is available; but this leads 

 into the kind of discussion which soon goes aground on the irregular rock bottom of per- 

 sonal prejudices and ethical principles. 



