[Barton dismissed the idea as well.] We can’t evaluate the idea without having seen it, and maybe it’s a darned fine one, but an offer that says, ‘Please just go away and leave the science to us, ahem, very intelligent professionals,’ is likely to get the reception it deserves, … We get a lot of offers to butt out from folks who would rather avoid public scrutiny, and reputable scientists wouldn’t feel comfortable in the company of most of them.



