Tuba,
Feel free to pop this over to the Mailbag if this is CKDext’s field of expertise.
What exactly is the difference between the Straight Dope Staff and the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board?
Are these folks assigned questions or is there, like a big-ass pile and folks pick out which ones they want to answer?
Who is on the SDSTAFF and what are their areas of expertise (What types of questions are they responsible for answering, if they are in fact assigned)?
Who is on the ST SAB and the same as above?
How long do these folks have to come up with an answer. I’m regulrly impressed with how completely the answer the questions. Especially, when they anticipate “follow up questions” and answer those too.
Hopefully this isn’t akin to finding out sausage is made, but I’ve been wondering.
Thanks, babe.
The Straight Dope Science and Advisory Board is just what it sounds like; a panel of folks all volunteering their expertise and services in the Straight Dope vineyard.
The tasks, skills, knowledge varies: sometimes one of them is called upon when Cecil has a question. Sometimes a question comes in that’s just perfect for someone and it’s given to that person specifically; other times questions are shown to the group as a whole and people gravitate to what they wish to work on.
Some of the SDSAB members are also staffers, past and present, from our site, both here and from our AOL days; moderators and chat hosts.
While I’ve seen Mailbag articles written in a day, I also can personally testify sometimes it takes a year or more to get just the right answer.
Hope this clears it all up for you.
Thanks for compliments, we appreciate them.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
Thanks, Tuba.
I see your name and David’s name often. Is there a complete roster around?
Well, there was some Navy guy on once, too… I don’t remember his name, though… Must not have been too important.
And BTW, how does one become a member of said lofty group, anyways? Not that I’d dare to even consider it until I get my degrees, but…