The Joy of Crystallography

Current and future crystallographers don't say "cheese." Photo courtesy W. L. Duax.

Congratulations on the birth of the IUCr Newsletter! The cover photograph of children made for a particularly apropos illustration in launching this first issue. The picture was striking in its color and subject, yet unsettling because not a single child wears a smile! As one who is prone to occasional contemplation of deep questions I wondered, "Why is that?" Revelation lay close at hand. Upon turning to p. 4 the picture of the IUCr program committee members also grabbed my attention. Are these people smiling, I wondered again, or am I only imagining a photograph filled with dour expressions? The first question, it seems, was answered in the cover picture caption which tells us that the children represent the next generation of crystallographers. Sorry, but I find the imagery depressing in that regard. May our entire community contribute to the development of the Newsletter's future personality, and in the tone of our upcoming meeting, an uplifting timbre which reflects enjoyment of crystallography and the opportunity to share that excitement!