Steven Wiley’s article about the lack of willingness to debate1 is an excellent description of the current state of culture in biology.
Perhaps the most important comment in the article is “Besides, why should anyone respect an opinion that even the author is not willing to claim?” Given the evident truth in this statement, are the excuses for keeping peer review anonymous really paramount?
Colin Anderson
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Canada
colinand@ualberta.ca
I completely disagree that opinions only matter if the author is identified. Comments should be judged based on accuracy, not who said it. That is the problem being faced and why critical debate is becoming a lost art form. Too many are too willing to shoot the messenger in order to avoid debating the message.
R. Caldwell
Helmholtz Center Munich
Neuherberg, Germany
randolph.caldwell@helmholtz-muenchen.de
I agree with much of what has been said. I too remember from the 1970s–1980s ...
