READER FEEDBACK
AS A REGULAR reader of Triton magazine , I do not see the anti-conservative political bias the letter writer in the last issue claims . Triton magazine features stories on science , faculty , students , alumni , research and the evolving campus . Perhaps if one ’ s personal politics are as a climate change denier , they ’ re bothered by articles about devastating wildfires ( Fall 2021 issue ); as a science denier , they ’ re bothered by articles about how the current pandemic is being incorporated into curricula ( Spring 2021 issue ); as a denier of how our economy is made more vibrant by immigrants , they ’ re bothered by articles about the evolving apparel industry for both underwater apparel and technology influences on costume design ( Winter 2021 articles ).
To claim avoidance of conservative viewpoints in favor of blatant liberal messages — actually , neither appears , nor would anyone expect them to be published in Triton , as the magazine ’ s purpose is unifying alumni , a conclusion the letter writer obviously failed to grasp by suggesting this publication is what is motivating his circle to cease donating to the very university that surely helped propel him to the successes his life has experienced . — David Alpern ’ 90
AS AN ALUMNUS , I receive and read the magazine regularly . I was disappointed to see an alumnus write a letter in the Fall 2021 Triton magazine complaining about the lack of a “ conservative point of view .” There are myriad opportunities to get conservative points of view in print and on TV ; Triton magazine does not need to be a source too . Just keep on doing what you are doing and keep us apprised of the happenings on campus .
If someone does embrace conservative values , then what a wonderful opportunity to see another side by reading a science-oriented magazine such as Triton . I believe we were taught to look at all sides of an issue and then to use our mind to analyze each viewpoint . If all we want is to have information that supports our own viewpoint , then a person can go ahead and live in their own political bubble and forsake future learning opportunities . — Wayne V . ’ 73
I WRITE IN RESPONSE to the Greg Wolfe ’ 94 letter in the Fall 2021 issue . Mr . Wolfe is wrong ; Triton has a corporate feel relative to the previous alumni magazine , titled @ UCSD , 2004-2012 .
I disagree with all the other points Mr . Wolfe made in the letter . Perhaps he will have different feelings towards UCSD as time passes . We can only hope . It ’ s tough out there in higher-education land .
I still have — framed — the whimsical @ UCSD January 2007 issue that featured an article on “ Campus Canoodling .” The article was on people who met and married while at UCSD . “ Campus Canoodling ” was insightful and beautifully done .
Mr . Wolfe : An article on or titled “ Campus Canoodling ” would likely never be published in Triton . There are issues of @ UCSD in the library in the Special Collections . I can ’ t find that @ UCSD has been digitized . — Ann Viera ’ 79
CONGRATULATIONS on one of the best issues ever ! Contrary to the recent letter criticizing Triton for being too left ( Greg Wolfe ’ 94 ), I find Triton always has topical , scientific , social and institutional news and information for everyone . The article on Yellowstone and PCR / DNA was especially brilliant and outstanding ! Since he says he won ’ t donate any longer to the alumni fund , I have been inspired to do so ! — Nadine Scott-Hayes , Muir , ’ 93
TENAYA HALL “ WILDLIFE ”: I recall the “ mattress inspection ” letter printed on official university stationary by some Revelle geniuses that got Muir students dragging their mattresses out into the hallways . Also , my first night in my dorm room , I discovered that the prior residents painted constellations on our ceiling in black-light paint , only visible with the lights off . I had not met my roommate before , and neither of us wanted to admit we were seeing stars ! — Judith Deutsch , UCSD 1972-74
IN HIS ARTICLE “ Laboratory Yellowstone ,” Jarrett Haley missed a very important part of the story : UCSD alumnus Dr . Hudson H . Freeze , MS ’ 71 , PhD ’ 76 , was the co-discoverer of Thermus aquaticus ( Taq ), along with Tom Brock . In fact , I believe it was Hud who did most of the hands-on laboratory work and collecting of the samples at Yellowstone . They are listed jointly in the ATCC collection . Hud Freeze laid the groundwork for later studies by partially purifying and characterizing a thermostable enzyme from Taq .
After graduating from Indiana University in ’ 68 and working a year as a research assistant in Dr . Thomas Brock ’ s lab at IU , he went on to graduate school at UCSD , eventually doing his dissertation research in the laboratory of Dr . William Loomis . He completed his dissertation in ’ 76 . Since the late 1980s , he has worked at what is now known as Sanford Burnham Prebys , where he is currently a senior scientist and head of the Human Genetics Program .
You , and that includes Jarrett Haley , should follow up on your “ Laboratory Yellowstone ” article and omission of these important details . — James R . Etchison , PhD ’ 74
Thank you , James . We reached out to Hudson for this special Q & A . — JH
6 TRITON | WINTER 2022