A Life Decoded: My Genome: My Life J. Craig Venter New York: Viking/the Penguin Group, 20071

Scientists communicate their views and experiences through various genres, ranging from highly esoteric ones (notably academic papers in peer-reviewed journals) to much more exoteric ones (such as interviews and public lectures). Whereas in the former scientific authors will justify themselves vis-à-vis their peer communities, in the latter they will justify their role and work vis-à-vis broader audiences, or even society at large. Moreover, the use of exoteric forms of output (often in co-production with science journalists or science writers) is usually a privilege (or obligation) of a relatively small group of “visible” scientists, representing the larger research communities they are involved in.