30 | NewScientist | 26 May 2012

Many shades of greyFrom Tim Smit, chief executive and co-founder, Eden ProjectI’d like to join the conversation on the testing of genetically modified (GM) wheat at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, UK, and threats by activists to destroy the crop (12 May, p 5). In my experience of addressing large audiences where the subject of genetic modification is brought up, I find that the vast majority is still labouring under the idea that all GM involves taking genes from animals of all kinds in some sort of Frankensteinian bargain.

The truth is we need a new name for GM – to make it clear that it is a broad church. When you point out that interferon, used to treat diseases including cancer and multiple sclerosis, is GM, people support its use. When you ask if it is reasonable to explore whether a salt-tolerant plant might provide a gene for rice grown in parts of the world often flooded by seawater (such

as Bangladesh), they almost unanimously support the idea.

When you say to them that it is totally consistent to be in favour of the first two propositions, and still be darned angry at irresponsible field testing (as has occasionally happened), they seem to relax.

This is not black and white – there are many shades of grey – as the many great scientists at Rothamsted would agree.St Austell, Cornwall, UK

Two brainsFrom Roman ChigirinskyWhile reading your article on bilingual brains (5 May, p 31), I felt that a lot of what it describes applies to me. I speak three languages. My English is not as fluent as my mother tongue, Russian, nor my second language, Ukrainian, but still good enough to “switch personality”.

Sometimes when speaking or writing in English I notice that I’m a different person. I make jokes

that I would never make while using Russian. I act differently, and most importantly, I know that I think differently.Kiev, Ukraine

From Steve SieradzkiIn her article, Catherine de Lange writes of bilingualism: “It is almost as if you are two people”. How about us polyglots? I have been collecting languages since age 3 (I’m 88) at an average rate of one per decade.

So maybe it is almost as if I am more than two people…Leesburg, Florida, US

From Alan C. LarmanI seem to recall a centuries-old quote: “Teach me a man’s language and I shall know how he thinks.” In the 1970s, I was involved in a computer project spanning seven countries. Meetings were held in France with French, English, German, Spanish and Italian native speakers. All business was conducted in French, but socially we would chat in other languages.

I speak fluent French, pretty good Spanish, adequate Italian and a smattering of German. Everyone else present spoke at least one other language besides their own. It was noticeable that thought processes were affected by the choice of language, both in the negotiations and in our social interaction.Congleton, Cheshire, UK

From Serge DemersIf bilingualism reduces the incidence of dementia, as

suggested by the studies cited in your article, then in bilingual societies the number of Alzheimer’s cases should be less than in societies with only one language. Have we any statistics to compare the cases of Quebec vs Ontario or Switzerland vs Austria, for example?Montreal, Quebec, Canada

The editor writes:n Comparing countries is complex because of differences in education, healthcare, socioeconomic status and other factors that themselves contribute to the onset of dementia. It is a good question, but the research would be very difficult.

Starlite’s flaw?From Basil WatkinsRegarding Maurice Ward and his wonder material Starlite (12 May, p 40). The television demonstration you mentioned shows an egg coated in Starlite resisting a blowtorch, but the outer surface developed a slight char. More tellingly, the presenter could then break the egg apart using the fingers of one hand.

The suspicion is that Ward may have discovered a scientifically very interesting material, but one that would only resist intense heat for limited applications. More seriously, its strength and durability was probably too low for commercial applications.Guildford, Surrey, UK

On self-esteemFrom Amy JealI disagree that my generation gets its high self-esteem, or “vanity”, from uncritical parenting (28 April, p 44). If there is a cause, I think it lies more in the increased charitable volunteering of this group that psychologist Jeffrey Arnett highlighted.

Maybe my generation’s thought and care for others is the cause of

Enigma Number 1699

OPINION LETTERS

WIN £15 will be awarded to the sender of the first correct answer opened on Wednesday 27 June. The Editor’s decision is final. Please send entries to Enigma 1699, New Scientist, Lacon House, 84 Theobald’s Road, London WC1X 8NS, or to enigma@newscientist.com (please include your postal address). Answer to 1693 Inseparable: the score was 2-2 The winner David Croome of Tywardreath, Cornwall, UK

GWYN OWENI woke up one morning last summer near the time of the solstice, and noticed that the clock in the darkened bedroom indicated a time either between 3.40 and 3.45am or between 8.15 and 8.20am – I couldn’t tell which.

When I mentioned this to my eccentric uncle, he produced a defunct clock, which he had altered by making the minute and hour hands identical. He then arranged

the hands to a particular setting which corresponded to my bedroom dilemma, and told me that it would be impossible to distinguish, by appearance alone, which of two particular times was being shown by the clock.

Assume that at noon both hands on my uncle’s clock point exactly to the 12 marker. Tell me, to the nearest second, what is the difference (less than 4 hours 40 minutes) between the two times which could have been indicated by my uncle’s clock?

Double time

120602_Op_Letters.indd 30 18/5/12 16:08:29