Letters

Magazine Overview

This document is a collection of "Letters" to the editor of the journal *Science*, published on December 8, 1967. The letters primarily engage with a previous article by "Markowitz" concerning the UFO problem and the possibility of extraterrestrial control.

Discussion of Markowitz's UFO Article

Several contributors express their views on Markowitz's analysis. Richard J. Rosa finds Markowitz's arguments unconvincing, particularly his reliance on the law of Stefan-Boltzmann and his calculation of required power for interstellar flight. Rosa questions the necessity of 1g acceleration for interstellar vehicles and suggests that Markowitz's arguments are irrelevant to proving that interstellar flight is impossible, only that his specific hypothetical design might not work.

William T. Powers directly challenges Markowitz's methodology, stating that his entire argument rests on theoretical grounds and bears no relationship to UFO reports. Powers criticizes Markowitz for arbitrarily settling on a ship design and then concluding that published reports are not of extraterrestrial spacecraft because his design doesn't explain them. Powers argues that a technically advanced race would possess unimaginable scientific and technological ability, making Markowitz's design sketch seem "ludicrous."

Jacques F. Vallee suggests that Markowitz is deliberately selecting "borderline cases" to cast doubt on UFO sightings, ignoring extensively documented cases. Vallee also points out that Markowitz incorrectly implies that Vallee suggested an "intra-Mercury planet theory" for UFOs.

Philip C. Steffey humorously notes that Markowitz has "closed the door on UFO's and space travel by showing that interstellar vehicles can never have visited Earth because neither he nor any Congressional committee has seen one." Steffey likens this to Newcomb's proof that aircraft couldn't fly.

Isabel R. A. García quotes Isaac Asimov, suggesting that while a scientist might be right about something being probable, they are likely wrong about something being impossible. This sentiment is echoed by Thomas R. P. Gibb, Jr., who doubts extraterrestrial control but notes that if it were true, primitive humans could not disprove it with current physics.

George Cohen objects to Markowitz's equation of "metaphysics" with the idea that "the laws of physics are not valid," calling it misleading in relation to Aristotle.

Other Topics

Beyond the UFO debate, Milton Hildebrand offers a humorous poem and a suggestion regarding social etiquette for smokers, proposing they ask "Do you smoke?" before lighting up.

L. Archer writes about the "Buffalo River Endangered," highlighting efforts to preserve the Buffalo River in Arkansas from dam impoundment by the Corps of Engineers. Archer notes the support for establishing the Buffalo National River and the ongoing pressures for such projects despite growing awareness of economic and ecological losses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the critical examination of scientific claims and the boundaries of current knowledge, particularly concerning the UFO phenomenon. The letters demonstrate a vigorous debate within the scientific community about how to approach unexplained phenomena, with some advocating for open-mindedness and empirical evidence, while others emphasize adherence to established scientific principles and rigorous methodology. The inclusion of the letter on the Buffalo River suggests a broader scope for the journal's "Letters" section, encompassing environmental and conservation issues alongside scientific controversies.