Discussion
Reader responses to our May issue
From the Editors Our May story on 3-D printed organs in the Future issue generated excitement.“This will save so many lives if it’s completely successful!” LoriLee Litman says on Facebook. Others say they are anxiously waiting for such experimental treatments to become reality, noting that they could use a new kidney or heart. Readers also appreciated Mandy Barker’s startling photographs of plastic beach trash, and many echoed the response of Sharon Brown: “In this day and age, recycling should be mandatory.” Sloane Crosley’s piece “Sheer Madness” struck a chord, and many readers fondly recalled the heyday of wearing nylons. During the 1940s when they were in short supply, Gwen Arnold says, she “would ride the bus to Mexico for pure silk hose.” Overall, Don Sullivan says, the May issue is “diverse, stimulating and, yes, entertaining.”
Preserving perspective and experience is valuable. Else we are doomed to make short-term decisions over and over again.
Mark Dixon, Facebook
I applaud Russell Crowe on his willingness to look at history from both sides [“Re-fighting Gallipoli”], as that is the only way we will ever get past all the old wrongs done by countries on both sides in these wars and conflicts. I think we need to get past “My country right or wrong” and move on to “Our world and it’s all we’ve got.”
Paul Farmer, Online comment
Future Population
The May issue’s title, “ Why You Should Be Excited About the Next Decade,” made my heart leap. I have been waiting for some good news. But when I read “The Sheltering Sky,” my heart was broken again. It states that Ethiopia’s population of 94 million is predicted to double in 20 years. Why, oh why, is birth control not the issue at the forefront of everyone’s mind and every nation’s policy? I know it is an extremely complicated issue, but if population continues to grow unchecked, nothing else we do will save the world from catastrophe.
Kristin McBride, Email comment
Hidden Symbol
Good article, and that street in Rome appears to be a fine destination [“La Dolce Via,” April]. But did you miss the swastika hiding behind the flower pot? There’s always a counterpoint, isn’t there?
Bob Volock, Auburn, Maine
Editors’ Response
We regret that we did not notice a small graffiti swastika visible in the photograph on page 30 before publication. If we had seen the symbol, we certainly would not have published the photograph. The graffiti is disturbing evidence of the current climate in Europe and a reminder that ugliness can crop up even on one of the world’s most picturesque streets.
Correction
A caption in “Winds of War” (April) incorrectly stated that the Hermione replica carries 330 square feet of sail. The correct figure is 23,680 square feet.
In the version of this item in the print magazine, we mistakenly implied that James Smithson was born in June, but in fact the exact month of his birth is unknown.