The Middle Initial

摘要

Isn't it sad that electronic access has all but put paid to written requests for reprints? They were such a boost to the young researcher, who could, for a little while, imagine that someone else was interested, before realising that many requests were sent automatically by secretaries. After one of my research papers appeared I received requests from three different people who all had the same handwriting. Now, with e-mail requests, no one could tell.