Before we return to science, one last note. Those of you who have been following the intellectual gyrations of New Scientist are probably aware that they pulled a piece by Amanda Geftner from the online magazine. (I put the piece below, which was thoughtfully archived by Tony Sidaway at Lambda Delta.) I wrote to New Scientist’s editor, Roger Highfield, asking why. Here is his response:
Subject: RE: Amanda Gefter’s piece
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:05:39 -0000
Thread-Topic: Amanda Gefter’s pieceNew Scientist has received a legal complaint about the contents of this
story. At the advice of our lawyer it has temporarily been removed while
we investigate. All the best, Roger
Reading the piece, I find it straightforward, hard-hitting, and truthful, but don’t see anything that is grounds for legal complaint. But judge for yourself by reading it on Tony’s blog.
Even in America’s litigious society, I can see not a single phrase that could prompt a legal “complaint.” What gives?