Page 10 - Winter2014

Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
Paul Schomer’s comments (Schomer 2013) on my paper (Leventhall 2013a) contain errors, whilst employing two typical methods of false criticism:
1. Create flawed opinions, which were not in the original, and cen-
sure these whilst side-stepping the main issue (Straw Man). 2. Undermine credibility by frequent use of “assertion.”
Some of the Straw Man examples are:
“Professor Leventhall goes on to assert with absolute certainty that no problems are generated by low frequency sound whatsoever.” “The assertion that every single person world-wide is being affected
only by non-acoustic factors is totally unfounded.”
“He categorically rules out research in the infrasonic region; that
research is unacceptable to him.”
These, and other statements, are not in my paper and are not my opinion, but are Paul’s creation. Toward the end of his comments, Paul goes off topic, referring to unrelated matters, such as his dis- pute with Duke Energy.
One of Paul’s errors concerns the round window as a shunt which was taken into account in deducing that the levels in the vestibule from heartbeat and breathing are considerably greater than levels from wind turbine noise at similar frequencies.
Geoff Leventhall geoff@activenoise.co.uk
Leventhall, G (2013a) “Concerns about infrasound from wind turbines.” Acoustics Today 9(3): 30-38
Leventhall, G (2013b) “Infrasound and the ear.”
Proc 5th International Meeting on Wind Turbine Noise, Denver, Colorado August 2013
Schomer, P (2013) “Comments on recently published article “Concerns about infrasound from wind turbines”.” Acoustics Today 9(4): 7-9.
Persons wishing to submit “Letters to the Editor” are wel- come to do so. Letters can be on any topic related to acous- tics, and may be comments on material in recent issues. Letters will be published on a space-available basis. Submitters should feel free to express their opinions, but are expected
to follow the normal rules of polite writing. Letters should be free of commercialization. Submission implies giving the Editor and the Publications Office Staff the authority to make minor editing changes to improve the quality of writing and clarity. Inclusion of any letter is at the discretion of the edi- tor. Letters should be no more than 150 words (no figures or mathematical equations) and may include up to two citations in the form of footnotes (citations are not included in the word count). Citations should include full title, all authors, and source.
Want to Contribute to Acoustics Today?
To suggest ideas for articles or inquire about authoring one, contact Arthur Popper at: apopper@umd.edu
-
8 | Acoustics Today | Winter 2014