Fanning the FLAMES?

[DANDERSON at PRL.PULMONARY.UBC.CA]

nanomius at netcom.com (Albert Nanomius) wrote may things which 
irritated me though I strive to be open minded and accepting of every 
individual's view point.

However, though I find this message somewhat abrasive I still support 
the cause,  Educate ME!  The goal of science is the dicovery AND 
communication of information for the benifit of humanity as a whole.  
The problem with the virology network as it stands is that   
unless I am willing to give up 4 hours of my day, of which I already 
spend 12-14+ on my work, there is NO REWARD except personal 
satisfaction.  I love this, but after 2-3 weeks, my loved ones 
wonder where I am, or my adviser wants to know why my progress has 
slowed (REALITY CHECK!!).  My rewards today are my girl friend and to 
finish my graduate studies.  This does not get done if I spend all my 
time on the computer, not typing my dissertation.  Yet this will not 
change when I do graduate.  Instead my reward will be to perform 
quality research and to have a reputation such that the public will 
want to spend  their taxes on my studies.  This success is largely
proportional to the time I spend reading, and working hard.   It 
becomes a vicious circle, and today  I am being told that I am being 
snobbish, which is my reward at this moment!  Hummm...........   

I am glad that there is now a Ebola FAQ to serve that purpose, and 
allow these specific issues to be addressed.  Where the  issues of how 
many people are infected, are they quarantined, where is it 
spreading, how does Ebola infect, and ....... can be discussed.  When 
there is basic questions and specific questions of molecular 
genetics, viral transmission and pathogenesis, I am sure that anyone 
with knowledge would be interested  in sharing.   The problem is that 
the panic of Ebola virus has errupted overnight, and novels have been 
written in short fashion as well.  The public and I are thirsty for 
Ebola knowledge, but science can hardly respond to the demand before 
the majority of interest has wained.  For example:   If I were to 
research these issues and answer your questions in an essay it would 
take me a lifetime of studies and we would have many more questions 
at the end than when we started (it has already been 20+ years and we 
still do not know the reservoir of Ebola).  As well, for a few number 
of people to answer all the questions in a format such as this is 
quite a commitment in time.  

There are many qualified people out there to hold discussions and I am 
glad an "outsider" is able to moderate such.  Again, demonstrating 
that "necessity is the mother of invention."

I have the utmost respect for others and their goals, yet I can not 
afford to allow many of the aspects of this subject (Ebola) to consume my 
time and studies (which are synonymous)! 

Well, I have just spent another hour+.

Dan Anderson

danderson at prl.pulmonary.ubc.ca