Production question about the magazine

[John Lovick]

This is a question for Richard. Something I've been curious about for a while and receiving the latest issue in the mail today reminded me.

Why are the first 3 (and last 3, of course) pages of the magazine of heavier stock than the cover? I can understand the outer few pages being of heavier stock, but for that to not include the cover seems odd.

[Richard Kaufman]

There is an 8-page form that is printed on heavier stock: it includes the front four and last four sheets of the magazine. The cover is on the heavier stock.

[John Lovick]

Interesting. For whatever reason, the cover ALWAYS seems to be lighter stock than those other 3 pages. Don't know why that is. Some sort of tactile illusion, perhaps.

[Richard Kaufman]

It may feel heavier or lighter depending upon the amount of ink. Lots of ink literally makes the paper feel heavier.

[Q. Kumber]

It may feel heavier or lighter depending upon the amount of ink. Lots of ink literally makes the paper feel heavier.

What Richard really means is the amount of Higgs boson particles that affect the mass of ink on the paper, thereby altering its density.

[Richard Kaufman]

Quentin, I didn't know you were a scientist!

[Q. Kumber]

I majored in B. S.

[John Bowden]

And mostly self taught.......................what an amazing guy.

[Ian Kendall]

Must. Control. Fingers of Pedantry...