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Letter: Quantum queries

Published 12 September 1998

From Max Wallis

I wish to complain most strongly about the use of the pejorative term
“die-hards” to describe scientific critics of “quantum weirdness”
(“Why God plays dice”, 22 August, p 26).
The term could be taken as a compliment if it
ranks one alongside Albert Einstein and Fred Hoyle. But in common parlance it’s
an insult that disparages the person and encourages readers to ignore their
views. It should have no place in your scientific editorial vocabulary.

A related complaint is that the box labelled “Sceptics”, which purports to
give the alternative view, gives marginal arguments only and devotes most of its
space to supporters of quantum weirdness.

I supplied you with my review in press for Contemporary
Physics, which gives pointers to a substantial body of the scientific
alternative, but you chose not to use it.

Penarth, Cardiff

Issue no. 2151 published 12 September 1998

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