Madam, – There have been many letters and press reports by people who have not read my book. With arrogant smugness they write with blithe indifference as to their ignorance.
It is an easy thing to ridicule a minority view.
I asked an evolutionist, my friend Conor Lenihan, to launch my book The Origin of Specious Nonsenseas I felt it would show respect for those who hold a different point of view to mine.
– Yours, etc,
Madam, – To attend the launch of a book is not to endorse its content. Further, debate and dissent are cornerstones of science and while every challenge to an established scientific theory need not be given equal weight, nor should such challenges be blocked or otherwise interfered with. Ireland is no longer a Catholic theocracy but nor are we a mere market-driven “smart economy” in which everyone must continue to sing the same song, albeit from a new secular hymn sheet. We are a modern democracy comprised of people who are entitled to hold and express differing beliefs.
As to the book in question, many have tried to undermine Darwin's On the Origin of Speciessince it was first published, 151 years ago, and thus far all of them have failed utterly. So good luck to Mr May on the publication of his Origin of Specious Nonsenseand let those who wish to read it do so. I will exercise my discretion not to read it, as I have a fair idea as to which book will still be in print in another 151 years.
– Yours, etc,