Letters archive
Join the conversation in New Scientist's Letters section, where readers can share their thoughts and opinions on articles and see responses from experts and enthusiasts across a range of science topics. To submit a letter, please see our terms and email letters@newscientist.com
22 March 2023
From Matthew Tucker, Sydney, Australia
You report that the James Webb Space Telescope has detected very distant galaxies that seem far too massive to have formed so early in the universe, potentially upending our current theories for such objects( 4 March, p 19 ). Could they be evidence in support of the idea that our observable universe is actually the …
22 March 2023
From Peter Holness, Hertford, UK
Sally Adee's look at the human "electrome" is the most important biological article your magazine has published because it seems to bust a myth. I never bought into the prevailing orthodoxy that says proliferating, low-power, athermal radio and microwave signals can't affect us biologically( 25 February, p 38 ). Shifting electromagnetic fields can jiggle ion …
22 March 2023
From Simon Conolly, Cork, Ireland
You reported on future houses that claim an impressively low day-to-day energy use. However, it is important to remember that, as we progressively reduce this form of energy use, we ignore embodied energy – that required to create the building – at our peril( 25 February, p 11 ). In homes of the sort described, …
22 March 2023
From Roderick Sykes, Boudrac, France
Thanks to Abigail Beall for another great astronomical piece with her look at the delights of the full moon. I have been moonstruck for most of my life, but for me, the magic lies more at the new moon( 4 February, p 51 ). I was recently amazed to see, through binoculars, a very clear …
22 March 2023
From Chas Bazeley, Colchester, Essex, UK
Grandiose schemes to "save the planet", such as mining and spreading large amounts of rock to accelerate carbon dioxide absorption by chemical weathering, might be a good idea were it not for the amount of CO 2 and pollution generated to achieve this. Our best hope of prolonging our stay on Earth is to reduce …
22 March 2023
From Steve Dalton, Chipstead, Kent, UK
I enjoyed your look at AI theory of mind (ToM), related research and the promise of smarter AI assistants as a result of this work( 18 February, p 46 ). However, I can't help feeling that something isn't quite right about where this is heading. As one of the researchers says, an AI ToM won't …
22 March 2023
From Caroline Deforche, Lichtervelde, Belgium
According to your guide to being your own hero, psychologists say we should spin our memories "into a well-told life narrative" to "help us achieve our aspirations for self-improvement". Why always this pressure to perform better, because that is what it comes down to (which isn't the same as saying that unhealthy behaviour shouldn't be …
22 March 2023
From Guy Cox, Sydney, Australia
There seem to be two glaring omissions in the assessment of energy use for the 2000-watt challenge. I live off-grid and one of the greatest loads on our solar power system is the water pump that supplies the house with filtered water from our rainwater tank. A smaller, but not negligible, one is the power …
22 March 2023
From Mirco Elena, Trento, Italy
James Dinneen regrets that he has to open his windows given the excessive heating in winter. He could avoid this practice by covering the radiators with insulating materials (a thick blanket, or enclosing them in a "box" made of polystyrene). In this way, he could get nearer to his 2000-watt target.