Letters.

Features of the future

I greatly enjoyed your millennium issue. In the article on Tycho Brahe ("Danish astronomer argues for a changing cosmos," SN: 12/18&25/99, p. vii), you note that "whether this comet of 1577 turns out to be an evil omen or harbinger of good tidings remains to be seen...."

Before 100 years had passed, the message was clear. In 1597, Tycho lost royal favor and was exiled. The buildings on Tycho's island of Hven were razed. Between 1626 and 1660, Denmark was involved in a series of disastrous wars. A third of its territory, including Hven, was ceded to Sweden. People were starving. At the start of the 16th century, Denmark was a powerful and influential country. By 1660, it had been reduced to insignificance. An evil omen indeed!

Kaare Bjorn Host Port Charlotte, Fla.

Your dual-cover Dec. 18 & 25, 1999, issue was a clear reminder of how painstaking research leading to breakthroughs today will prompt a "Like, duh!" and a shrug of the shoulders in the future. Thanks to all your writers and editorial staff.

Thomas Herrmann Berkeley, Calif.

I was appalled to come upon the millennial summary of SCIENCE NEWS and discover that you are spreading the babblings of heretics and others who doubt the True Faith. Imagine, that the world could circle the sun!

Many of my friends and colleagues are engaged in truly edifying and valuable research on topics such as the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin, yet I find no reference to such studies. Surely you realize the harm that can come from disseminating such information as that contained in your recent issue. What is this world coming to?

Joye R. Swain Oklahoma City, Okla.

Don't forget the rye

In your review of 1999 articles, you note under "Food Science" (p. 398) that "soy compounds ... can cut the growth and severity of prostate cancers." However, the original article ("Soy slows growth of prostate cancers," SN: 11/6/99, p. 295) credits both the soy and rye-based diets. I have long advocated a whole-grain-rye-based diet instead of wheat-based, and the "large amounts of lignans" in rye gives more (if surprising) grist for my mill. Your capsule review had room for mention of rye.

Ronald D. Pataki Bronx, N.Y.

Rethink intellectual property

Regarding "Pondering the fate of copyright" (SN: 11/27/99, p. 351), the Internet is causing a paradigm shift in several ways, and perhaps it's time for us to reevaluate the concept of "intellectual property" itself. After all, the notion of copyright is a relatively modern one that was unknown just a few centuries ago. Lacking a copyright did not stop Plato or Shakespeare from producing material and disseminating it. What were their motives? This worthwhile study could lead us to other methods of reimbursing the creators of such material and keeping its content intact.

Del Dietrich Campbell, Calif.