…and this is a 
This is pretty cool: Scienceblogs and National Geographic have joined forces to create a mighty partnership to conquer the interwebs. I think. I'm not sure on what exactly we'll gain just yet, but the people with vision at the top have hinted at some juicy things.
Here's the press release:
National Geographic Digital Media (NGDM) and ScienceBlogs.com today announced that they have formed a strategic partnership spanning technology, advertising, business and content development. Through this partnership, Nationalgeographic.com and ScienceBlogs.com will create and exchange content through connected social media features, as well as work together to create new multimedia programming for both sites. ScienceBlogs.com will feature content from National Geographic bloggers and National Geographic explorers. The site also will have access to National Geographic's news resources and will significantly increase its exposure through NGDM's worldwide audience. NGDM in turn will feature content from ScienceBlogs.com and renowned SB bloggers on its award-winning site Nationalgeographic.com.
In addition, NGDM will lead advertising sales — headed by Jim Hoos, VP of Digital Media Sales — on ScienceBlogs.com, adding a vibrant social media platform to the portfolio and giving advertisers access to an audience of more than 2 million young, educated and digitally savvy readers. Under the terms of the agreement, NGDM will acquire a minority stake in ScienceBlogs, LLC, parent company of ScienceBlogs.com.
"ScienceBlogs.com shares our mission to create a fully comprehensive Web destination that allows users to explore, engage and exchange," said John Caldwell, NGDM president. "This partnership not only allows National Geographic to strengthen its leadership in the science and technology space, but it also allows NG.com to reach an extensive community of young and engaged users who are deeply immersed within it."
"We are thrilled to be teaming up with National Geographic, a brand we greatly admire and an organization that shares the values of the ScienceBlogs community. This partnership highlights SB's standing in social media and lays the foundation for growth and greater reach and recognition in the future," said Adam Bly, chairman of ScienceBlogs, LLC.
NGDM and ScienceBlogs.com's initial rollout will feature blog content and applications that highlight green, science and technology subject matter.
Comments
Posted by: John | December 4, 2009 12:02 PM
[Insert sience-conspiracy theory]
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | December 4, 2009 12:03 PM
Does this bring any content management with it?
Are they going to have say so in what goes on at SciBorg?
Will you guys be getting their IT department....
Posted by: Eamon Knight | December 4, 2009 12:03 PM
You will now get cut up and used in endless school projects? You'll be read once, then languish in people's dens for decades? Or lie around doctors' waiting rooms for a similar length of time? Get recycled at garage sales?
Posted by: John | December 4, 2009 12:04 PM
Boo uberspelling, +c
Posted by: PZ Myers
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December 4, 2009 12:07 PM
I think it means...more topless photos!
Posted by: SEF | December 4, 2009 12:07 PM
Yes, you can has a yellow border;
but you really should be more careful what you wish for.
;-)
Posted by: SakanaUshi | December 4, 2009 12:09 PM
Selling out is easy to do.
It's not so hard to find a buyer for you.
When money talks, you're under its spell.
Aww, but what do you have when there's nothing left to sell?
--Tom Lehrer--
:P
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | December 4, 2009 12:10 PM
When my grandfather and grandmother moved out of their house to a retirement village we had to get rid of boxes of NG magazines. I mean like 50 years worth.
I used to love reading those things when I was at their place. Before he died he prepaid for 5 years of NG mag for the wife and myself. I think I've kept every one of them (other than the ones teh new dog has eaten...).
Posted by: tsg | December 4, 2009 12:11 PM
Jebus I hate PR-speak...
Posted by: SakanaUshi | December 4, 2009 12:12 PM
Well, I suppose it's just impressive that so many people find NG worth saving. My in-laws have a bookcase nearly full of NGs. Most other magazines go straight into the recycling bin when people are done with them.
Posted by: F
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December 4, 2009 12:12 PM
Well, I sure hope it's something good.
Posted by: Rox | December 4, 2009 12:12 PM
Curses! I was going to make a joke about topless pictures and NatGeo but I was beaten to the punch. By PZ no less!
I am unworthy.
Posted by: DKB | December 4, 2009 12:16 PM
PZ's cephalopod pictures are almost always topless.
Posted by: bcoppola | December 4, 2009 12:18 PM
@PZ:
Not of you, we hope! :-p
Posted by: Qwerty
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December 4, 2009 12:23 PM
My creationist sister is coming home for Christmas soon. Maybe I should go to the basement and pull all the NGs that suggest the earth is older than 6,000 years.
Posted by: R. Schauer
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December 4, 2009 12:24 PM
I'm thinking this could be a great team. National Geo. has been a staple to me throughout my life and has given me glimpses into other cultures and my own place in the World.
The only thing lacking in NG was the true power-house of depth that only science and by that I mean "good" science brings with it. I wish this new team well...without it, we will all suffer from a lack of real depth and understanding of the world around us.
Posted by: Texan Expat in Finland | December 4, 2009 12:25 PM
Anyone want to put odds down on how long before PZ starts getting "tone down" signals from NG Mgt?
Posted by: Newfie
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December 4, 2009 12:25 PM
ABCNNBCBS - A Division of Fox
Posted by: RamblinDude
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December 4, 2009 12:27 PM
Do you think this is going to be a partnership? NG is going to be top dog here, you fools. They’ve got Cesar Millan!
Posted by: Celtic_Evolution
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December 4, 2009 12:28 PM
Hmmm... any concerns over NG having control of content or censorship in any way? For example, do you think NG would have allowed the "crackergate" post on a site they put their name on?
Just a concern...
Posted by: Colin Meier | December 4, 2009 12:29 PM
Best put away that Porn Gun, PZ. Wait, what am I thinking? This is Nat Geo...
Great news - interesting to see what develops. Perhaps we'll see some professional squid pics in the near future! Topless squid...
Posted by: Colin Meier | December 4, 2009 12:32 PM
@13 Damn, DKB - just saw you beat me to it.
Posted by: Glen Davidson
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December 4, 2009 12:37 PM
Aside from hopes for seeing boobies, fortunately NG has always stuck with the science, not falling into the pit of woo that the History Channel seems stuck in. Some good anti-creationist articles, too.
Go National Geographic.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p
Posted by: Murray | December 4, 2009 12:37 PM
Hopefully this means no more astrology or creationism banner ads all over the blog.
Posted by: cag
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December 4, 2009 12:45 PM
At close to 68 years old, do I qualify as young and savvy, or do I have to hand in my handle?
Posted by: Naked Bunny with a Whip | December 4, 2009 12:48 PM
So what am I supposed to do with all these hats?
Posted by: Alareth | December 4, 2009 1:07 PM
P.Z. will now have direct access to some of the best cephalopod photography in the world.
Posted by: Jojo | December 4, 2009 1:18 PM
Does this mean we might actually be able to comment on here?
Posted by: Jojo | December 4, 2009 1:20 PM
Oh, I guess it does. : 0
Posted by: MeghanS | December 4, 2009 1:21 PM
Long time reader, this is the first time I've bothered with the comments...
I'm from a very religious family, and I'm considering buying all of the younger cousins a subscription to NatGeo for Christmas, since I don't want to buy them anything more subversive. I figure it'll be a window to the real world, and ideally it will help negate their Christian schooling.
Is NatGeo still the magazine it was when I was a kiddo? I used to love curling up next to the fireplace and reading about far away places.
Posted by: Sastra | December 4, 2009 1:25 PM
Didn't someone do a 'study' which showed that the earth was getting heavier due to concentrated piles of National Geographic Magazine? PZ could be contributing to the destruction of the planet.
Though I'm also a bit worried that atheist content might be censored, on the argument that it's not 'scientific' (yes it is, we're using the method on God.) Large corporations tend to be less open to controversy than smaller ones, especially if its become a mainstream institution. Scienceblogs appeals to a specifically science-oriented crowd which understands the approach, and how it can change and touch everything; National Geographic has a lot of fans who are less into understanding the method itself, and more into geography, history, anthropology, biology, and the excitement of a good story.
There could be a clash. Even the regular scienceblog bloggers and readers who don't like PZ's style of advocacy are still much more comfortable with the fact that it exists, and is allowed to exist, than is the average person. I hope it's not a problem.
Actually, I hope it helps mainstream PZ. And we will conquer the world...
Posted by: featheredfrog
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December 4, 2009 1:29 PM
This mean no more of those funny ID/Creation Science ads?
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | December 4, 2009 1:30 PM
Yes. It is still a fantastic publication.
As a working photographer and science-fan-nerd I love getting my copy in the mail every month.
Posted by: SEF | December 4, 2009 1:37 PM
Do the experiment, PZ! You have to work out which is the dominant trait or whether there's a complicated mixing from multiple contributing genes and switches - and perhaps Sb had a recessive yellow streak all along anyway. From the Sb + NatGeo union you might get offspring with a yellow border or which are instead substantially expressed in lower case with their hind parts grey rather than white.
Posted by: Pen | December 4, 2009 1:38 PM
I think it might mean we'll be getting a better and slightly more relevant class of advertising. I'm still unlikely to click on them, but it would improve by browsing comfort and convenience.
Maybe I'm too hopeful.
Posted by: rrt | December 4, 2009 1:46 PM
Add me to the list of NG censorship worrywarts. Though yes, I understand PZ isn't gonna put up with crap, and Pharyngula could always leave.
But I'm thinking positive. This could be quite awesome.
Posted by: Brian | December 4, 2009 1:46 PM
While looking at this "issue" from the Onion, I found this news announcement.
Church Canceled Due To Lack Of God
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/99488
Posted by: Treppenwitz | December 4, 2009 1:54 PM
I wouldn't worry too much about NG trying to censor content; it's not like PZ couldn't just relocate the blog, right?
Posted by: MScott | December 4, 2009 2:07 PM
Sounds very dynamic and vibrant and other buzz words. ;)
Posted by: mythusmage
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December 4, 2009 2:15 PM
What will your NG Channel show be about?
Just remember, when you accept the Emmy for best science show by a sour old curmudgeon, that I was one of the millions who knew you when. :)
Posted by: Alverant
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December 4, 2009 2:48 PM
Mergers always make me nervous. It usually leads to a decline in quality as the new owners destroy what made the mergie worth wild. Let's hope you're not affected.
Posted by: Alverant
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December 4, 2009 2:50 PM
Brian #37
WIN!!
Posted by: charley | December 4, 2009 2:53 PM
Brown saggy boobs and penis sheaths--I can't wait.
Posted by: FJ | December 4, 2009 3:21 PM
And a great theme song!
Posted by: FJ | December 4, 2009 3:25 PM
HTML fail :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X75oCf9iG6Y
Posted by: Bender.oh | December 4, 2009 3:32 PM
On my 1280 pixel wide screen I currently get 550 pixels worth of content.
How many will this be ruduced to if NG add in yet more crap at the left and right.
10
pi
xe
le
s
pe
rh
ap
s?
Posted by: teacherninja | December 4, 2009 3:49 PM
For all you NG magazine hoarders: I'm in school to become a library media specialist and one of the things they've mentioned is to smile and say thank you when well-meaning people bring in boxes of NGs to donate. Then take them immediately out to the dumpster. The art teacher probably has enough of them already and the library doesn't want anything that out of date even if they did have the room to store them, which they usually don't. I'm just sayin...
Posted by: Chad B.
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December 4, 2009 4:02 PM
Hooray for boobies!
I'm also in the "scared about censorship" bandwagon. I hope that it'll all be good and it will popularize science in a good way.
but we will just have to wait and see
Posted by: efrique | December 4, 2009 4:03 PM
As long as there's no attempts to make the SB'ers "shut up and play nice", this should be a good thing.
Posted by: Bill Dauphin, OM | December 4, 2009 4:05 PM
teacherninja (@47):
Not only that, but if you did want NatGeo, its complete run is available as a digital publication, for Not Much Money™.
Some years ago, they put out the (then) complete run on umpty-zillion CDs, in a handsome wooden box, and my mom bought this set as a Christmas present for my dad. Subsequently, this product was pulled from the shelves because of a dispute over rights to the photographs... but that problem must have been solved, as I noticed just the other day while browsing the software shelves in my local Apple Store that NatGeo is once again available.
This time it's in a perfectly ordinary cardstock software box, which I take to mean the CDs have been replaced by a handful of DVDs. IIRC, the price was not much more than $100.
Posted by: 'Tis Himself, Quel Dommage
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December 4, 2009 4:11 PM
Does National Geographic have a genuine IS department capable of providing dependable, reasonably error free IS services? By this I mean the type of IS department that SB prefers not to have.
Posted by: Steve in Dublin | December 4, 2009 4:19 PM
Sastra, hi,
I think it's more like:
Huge swaths of rain forest => copies of National Geographic => anthropogenic global warming
But yeah, not good in either case...
Posted by: mythusmage
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December 4, 2009 4:30 PM
Expression Engine or WordPress, what is National Geographic's next move for Science Blogs?
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler | December 4, 2009 5:18 PM
Yay! Instead of ads for mail-order Russian brides, we'll have ads for mail-order brides from places nobody's ever heard of!
BTW, speaking of dead-tree publications, why did SB cease to show links for stories from the mag at the bottom of blog pages? Any chance they might resume doing something interesting & good like that?
Posted by: AdamK
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December 4, 2009 6:13 PM
Get the hell off my lawn!
Posted by: blf | December 4, 2009 6:24 PM
Are you thinking of the Journal of Irreproducible Results?
http://www.jir.com/geographic.html
It wasn't that the Earth was getting heavier, it was that the accumulated mass of NG's in N.America would eventually sink the continent.
Posted by: Rey Fox | December 4, 2009 7:34 PM
Dada da DAH DAH! Dada da DAH DADA DADA DAH!
Posted by: genesgalore | December 4, 2009 9:23 PM
bet your blog doesn't see the light of day on the site with the yellow border. which is fine with me.
Posted by: Rorschach | December 4, 2009 9:28 PM
I notice on the SB announcement page that some of our overlords are cute...:-)
Posted by: Andrea J. | December 4, 2009 9:59 PM
The yellow page border is a terrible idea.
Posted by: Andre.a J | December 4, 2009 10:03 PM
Apparently SciBlogs isn't thrilled with letting me put JavaScript into a link...
Posted by: Steve D | December 4, 2009 10:15 PM
I let my NG subscription lapse a number of years ago because the banality of their articles was making me barf. They never matured beyond "put someone in a red flannel shirt in the picture for color." NG laughed at Clint Eastwood's tale of how he got hired in Bridges of Madison county, but frankly they would be better off firing their photo editors and hiring Clint. If NG really had done a spread on the bridges, we'd have a dozen shots of geezers playing checkers over a cracker barrel and one picture with a distant bridge. It would be shot in poor light and the bridge would be out of focus. The nadir came with an article on textiles full of wild speculation and an absolutely stupid claim about a lighter than air textile levitated by a chemical reaction that "generated helium." Un-f###in' believable.
Posted by: John Scanlon, FCD | December 5, 2009 6:39 AM
Sastra,
Nah, it's just domestic carbon sequestration.
If carefully stacked and stabilized, NG makes excellent building material with good insulating properties. If worried about it eventually returning carbon to the atmosphere, there are plans to pump old issues as a slurry directly into the Marianas trench. Landfill is so C20.
Posted by: claire-chan
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December 5, 2009 2:19 PM
w00t?
Perhaps this is good, perhaps this is scary. We shall just have to see in the next several months.
Posted by: O)ccam's Machete | December 8, 2009 1:23 PM
And I, for one, welcome our new yellow bordered overlords.