'Taken' - Letters to the Editor - Letter to the Editor

Timothy Ferris's article in the March/April issue ("'Taken' Off") was both cogent and entertaining. I believe, however, that if he were to "check it out," he would find that John Mack is a psychiatrist, not a psychologist.

The highest academic degree, the Ph.D., requires a background in the philosophy of science and a demonstrated mastery of basic research methodology. Neither training nor education in scientific method is required for a doctorate in applied fields, e.g., law or medicine.

Therefore, no one should be surprised by eminent forensic experts who denounce the theory of evolution from the armchair, or by applied biologists who, lacking access to Occam's Razor, tangle speculation with anecdote to produce a Gordian knot of belief in abduction by extraterrestrials.

Robert T. Flint

Concord, California

Hey, Professor Ferris, nice article but remember "Taken" was on the Science Fiction Channel, not the Science Channel. SI stuff is on the Science Channel. We must not forget to read the labels even on the snake oil bottles. Great issue.

Lee Oldershaw

Marco Island, Florida

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