The Ecphorizer

Editorial Issue #44
Richard Amyx

Issue #44 (April 1985)


We are late. Unfortunately, I can't pretend I didn't notice. The calendar time at which you receive any issue of The Ecphorizer will not, however, affect your subscription. That's keyed to the issue date on the cover. Please rest assured that if you paid for a year's subscription, you will receive twelve issues.

This issue of The Ecphorizer is en retard for two reasons. The main one is our schedule. We have had no fewer than four babysitters quit with virtually no notice; we took on a crash project that required an immense amount of time; we have commenced construction on an addition to our house. Virtually all our volunteer activities have suffered heavily during the past several months, The Ecphorizer among them.

The second reason has been a dearth of contributions other than those from The Ecphorizer's regulars. This situation baffles me. The Ecphorizer now has a circulation of about 550, and it seems to me a statistical improbability that of that many Mensans virtually none would have anything to say–not even to gripe about what somebody else has said–yet it seems to be the case.

The Ecphorizer has been defined as a "magazine of ideas." Its aim is to provide a vehicle for material that a local group newsletter might not have the resources or space to print or for material that might not quite fit the Bulletin's more "family magazine" orientation. Contributors to The Ecphorizer need not be professional writers or aspire to be professional writers. All you need is a desire to express your ideas clearly and coherently.

I had promised The Ecphorizer a year in the editor's chair. Because of our schedules, however, George Towner, The Ecphorizer's founder and first editor, has graciously offered to resume editorial duties. While pride and ego suggest that I redouble my efforts to get the magazine back on schedule, objective consideration makes it clear that our situation is probably going to get more hectic before it begins to stabilize. For that reason, I am returning the reins to George. Submissions for future issues of The Ecphorizer should therefore be sent to

The Ecphorizer
George Towner, Editor
Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Whereas I cannot guarantee that George will make the same editorial decisions I would, I will pass on to him those contributions I've selected but have not published. I owe some of you returns, responses, and letters. I will, I hope, see to these matters shortly. Any questions you may have about matters undone, missing contributions, or other items that pertain to me particularly may be sent to me at the address on the outside back cover. Otherwise, all material for editorial consideration and matters pertaining to The Ecphorizer in general should be addressed to George.

I would like thank all the regulars for their continuing support during my brief stint as editor as well as the irregulars whose contributions have provided new points of view. I do wish I could have had the opportunity to put more into The Ecphorizer, but it appears not to have been in the cards. Good idea, lousy timing. 

More Articles by Richard Amyx


Contributor Profile

Richard Amyx

Dick has been quite active in San Francisco Regional Mensa as well as the national organization. He is a writer and technologist who lives with his wife, Meredy Mullen Amyx, in San Jose. Popular convention is that when referring to the Family Amyx, they are known collectively as The Amyses.




Letter to the Editor

Issue #44 (April 1985)

Dear Editor:

Go for the serial comma!

-Len Rickard 


Contributor Profile

Richard Amyx

Dick has been quite active in San Francisco Regional Mensa as well as the national organization. He is a writer and technologist who lives with his wife, Meredy Mullen Amyx, in San Jose. Popular convention is that when referring to the Family Amyx, they are known collectively as The Amyses.