cells is not the linearly arranged molecule illustrated in textbooks but is “supercoiled” in such a fashion that would defy the best attempts of human knot experts
recruited either from the seafaring community or the Eagle Scouts to unravel. In such
microenvironments, the activity of water molecules is likely reduced, and thereby
the longevity of arsenate-esters would likely increase.
In the nearly 10 years since it appeared in Science, it has been cited 547 times.
Most of these were inconsequential citations in papers that make reference to arsenic
and phosphate. Some were experimental refutations like those mentioned above,
some were theoretical criticisms (Singh and Giri 2018) that were roughly balanced
by quantum chemical calculations saying it was possible (Denning and Mackerell
2011). A good number were ministrations of what to avoid in the realm of scientific
reporting and intense media attention, cautions against flying too close to the sun like
Daedalus, and the oft stated Carl Sagan mantra exceptional claims require exceptional proof. I still have confidence in our report and stand by our results and
interpretation. I believe it is a subject of viable inquiry for the future.
The “Three Amigos” on our last field
sampling reunion at Mono Lake,
circa 2013. Le to right: myself, Larry
Miller, and Chuck Culbertson, aboard
the venerable Revenge Boston
Whaler.
The “Three Amigos” on our last field sampling reunion at Mono Lake, circa 2013. Left to right:
myself, Larry Miller, and Chuck Culbertson, aboard the venerable Revenge Boston Whaler
31.2.7 Some Final Thoughts
Forty plus years of field research in the Great Basin Desert has some Biblical
connotations if one is seeking to link one’s semi-obscure career to something far
bigger, say that of the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness of Sinai. Yet even
though I have gained much, it is a big stretch to infer anything more here than sheer
coincidence. Alas, time passes and some things must come to an end. The “Three
Amigos” pictured above have all retired, although Larry still makes field excursions
31 Salty, Alkali-Laced Tales (Mostly True) from the Great Basin Desert, California. . .
681
recruited either from the seafaring community or the Eagle Scouts to unravel. In such
microenvironments, the activity of water molecules is likely reduced, and thereby
the longevity of arsenate-esters would likely increase.
In the nearly 10 years since it appeared in Science, it has been cited 547 times.
Most of these were inconsequential citations in papers that make reference to arsenic
and phosphate. Some were experimental refutations like those mentioned above,
some were theoretical criticisms (Singh and Giri 2018) that were roughly balanced
by quantum chemical calculations saying it was possible (Denning and Mackerell
2011). A good number were ministrations of what to avoid in the realm of scientific
reporting and intense media attention, cautions against flying too close to the sun like
Daedalus, and the oft stated Carl Sagan mantra exceptional claims require exceptional proof. I still have confidence in our report and stand by our results and
interpretation. I believe it is a subject of viable inquiry for the future.
The “Three Amigos” on our last field
sampling reunion at Mono Lake,
circa 2013. Le to right: myself, Larry
Miller, and Chuck Culbertson, aboard
the venerable Revenge Boston
Whaler.
The “Three Amigos” on our last field sampling reunion at Mono Lake, circa 2013. Left to right:
myself, Larry Miller, and Chuck Culbertson, aboard the venerable Revenge Boston Whaler
31.2.7 Some Final Thoughts
Forty plus years of field research in the Great Basin Desert has some Biblical
connotations if one is seeking to link one’s semi-obscure career to something far
bigger, say that of the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness of Sinai. Yet even
though I have gained much, it is a big stretch to infer anything more here than sheer
coincidence. Alas, time passes and some things must come to an end. The “Three
Amigos” pictured above have all retired, although Larry still makes field excursions
31 Salty, Alkali-Laced Tales (Mostly True) from the Great Basin Desert, California. . .
681