David Looser wrote:


One problem of being at the end of science is that the
devil
makes work for idle minds. If you really have nothing to
write about, stop writing. Integrity is perishable. Your
magazine will be lucky to survive as it is, without you
taking the **** out of its readers.


What an extraordinary post!

Thanks! I did my best. One of Bob's best songs, but *very*
hard to sing.

You clearly haven't understood a word of any what Jim has
been

....Is there a word or two missing here? What has Jim been?
It's OK though, I wouldn't have known what he's been either,
and he's not been much help in my effort to find out. But it
really, really doesn't matter.

and are trying to cover up your ignorance

eh? In what way does that make any sense, at all? Why would
anyone come here for the sole purpose of covering up his
ignorance? Actually, come to think of it, if I were to find
myself pursued by some murderous anti-ignorant militia, I
suppose I might try to lose myself in a crowd of luminously
ignorant louts...

with a load of sarcasm.

Sarcasm? Oh well...part was an attempt at sati I don't
think they're the same thing but I'm not an expert. It was
supposed to be quite a pointed parody, such that if you had
the wit to follow it, the point would be clear. I don't
claim to be a great satirist, so I may have failed, but I'm
unlikely to take your word for it. Neither will I succumb to
the temptation of suggesting you haven't read my post, and
listened, carefully.

It wasn't all satire. There was some seriously
well-intentioned and carefully-considered advice.

It doesn't wash.

Not with you or your mates, predictably, or with a
professional author who believes he has a reputation to
defend, unfortunately.

I'm not trying to convince you; I don't wish to stoke your
boilers. Just an awkward and slightly embarassed wink to the
wise, should there be any in the vicinity.

Finally, I do have a genuine passion for truth, and a
coherent and cogent point of view. I discovered some time
ago that this is not a worthwhile place to discuss them.
Every now and then I check to see if it's still true. This
has been one of those occasions. I've made an effort. No-one
has returned the favour. This is all you're worth.

Ian