Steven W. Ross

Member, American Physical Society, retired

25 August 2001

I wish to join others in their disapproval of firing editor Jeff Schmidt because he wrote a book that did not meet with the approval of the publishers of Physics Today. This reminds me of a similar event a couple of years ago when the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine was dismissed for a similar reason.

While I have not read Disciplined Minds nor intend to read it as I am busy with other books, I most certainly disagree with the interference of freedom of expression. A person must have the right to say what he believes without having to worry about his job. This is even more true in a university-like atmosphere where freedom of expression is cherished.

Sincerely yours,

Steven W. Ross