Last month, the indomitable P.Z. Myers of Pharyngula posted a “review of Stuart Pivar’s book Lifecode, which purports to explain the embryonic development of organisms through topological manipulation of an initially fluid form. Myers’ review, though sympathetic to the principles espoused, was negative on balance:
I am thoroughly unconvinced, and am unimpressed with the unscientific and fabulously concocted imagery of the book.
After the initial review was posted, Pivar wrote in to object vociferously, and promised a second, revised edition which would address these criticisms. This was delivered, and Myers read it and posted a second review, which was similarly unfavorable.
Pivar’s response, apparently, was to sue P.Z. Myers and Seed Media (publisher of ScienceBlogs.com, which includes Pharyngula) for “assault, libel and slander”.
Daylight Atheism: A Legal Development
Tuesday, August 21