Appeal to Steve Featherstone – Author of 2012 Popular Science Article (Brandon Hurd)

This is an email I sent to Steve Featherstone, the author of the 2012 Popular Science Article, “Can Andrea Rossi’s Infinite-Energy Black Box Power The World–Or Just Scam It?” http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-10/andrea-rossis-black-box?nopaging=1

I wrote it after a recent failed attempt at editing the E-Cat Wikipedia article, which quotes that piece. That article in its present state, has left me with a great feeling of frustration and injustice in its unfair handling of Andrea Rossi and the E-Cat. Hence, I felt the need to do something about it. The best thing I could think of doing, was to write this email:

From: Brandon Hurd
Date: 15 October 2014 00:42
Subject: E-Cat Third Party Report
To: Steve Featherstone

Dear Steve

I am an interested follower of the story of Cold Fusion / LENR.

I think it is one of the most, if not THE MOST fascinating stories of our time.

I am a former sceptic. I have done a lot of reading on the subject and I have always carefully read every point made by the sceptics. I have strived throughout my journey of discovery to keep an open mind on the subject.

At present, I have to admit to falling in the camp of the believers. This is what I believe:

  • I believe in LENR as an energy source that can change our world for the good (although admittedly, it is disruptive in the short term) and that needs recognition and funding for research.
  • I believe that the scientific community has failed mankind in it’s despicable handling of this field.
  • I believe that Pons & Fleischmann deserve recognition.
  • I believe that Andrea Rossi deserves recognition.

There are numerous injustices in the handling of this field but at present, I think one of the greatest injustices is this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Catalyzer

Specifically where you are quoted in the lede of the article:

Steve Featherstone wrote in Popular Science that by the summer of 2012 Rossi’s “outlandish claims” for the E-Cat seemed “thoroughly debunked” and that Rossi “looked like a con man clinging to his story to the bitter end.”[12]
Will you please write a new piece on the latest developments around the E-Cat and specifically, the recent third party report and give it your most fair assessment possible?
Regards
Brandon Hurd
Cape Town, South Africa