Note: About this time period, many Rickoids wanted to skip lecture for three main reasons: First of all, we had discovered that some lectures were slightly less than stimulating (right, Trevor?). Second, for the lecture in question on Thursday, July 30th, we had already been forced to watch Lorenzo's Oil, and read an article about it. (BTW, the lecture did turn out to be an interesting [IMHO] discussion of medical and scientific ethics). The third reason was that Smashing Pumpkins was in Boston and some Rickoids wanted to go to the concert (the FREE TMBG concert just across the river was a yet crueller temptation IMHO, but some of us can't run as fast as Dave and Ben M and didn't get to see any of it.) Dr. Saul, being the guardian of intellect that he is, advised us that this lecture would be far better than any concert...read on. I just found this note amusing enough to keep. Don't ask me why. I just did.

From: Mark Saul
To: rsi98@MIT.EDU
Subject: Smushing Pumpkins
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 17:09:59 EDT

It has come to my attention that some otherwise industrious and dutiful Rickoids have been planning not to attend tonight's lecture and to go instead to a concert where outrageously dressed musicians torture vegetables.

Aside from this activity being less enlightening than the lecture, and aside from the danger of being cited by the ASPCV, attending this concert is, I'm afraid, just plain rude.

Dr. Golumb is a former Rickoid (1984), who has taken time out of her busy and productive schedule to talk to you about issues of science and ethics that arise out of her own work, issues that have not yet been aired at RSI, and for which it is difficult to find an adequate and productive forum. It is with some difficulty that we were able to provide this opportunity for you.

Attendance at this lecture is mandatory, and will demonstrate your interest in and respect for RSI, both of which were eloquently cited in your thank-you letters.

I expect that every Rickoid will attend the lecture this evening. Please see me before or during dinner if attending the RSI lecture instead of squashing pumpkins causes difficulty.

Thank you very much.