You make some good points.

The "poisoning" you speak of is similar in some ways to the wild eyed speculation that went on for hundreds of years about "lost civilizations" in the Americas and Africa. Or -- save us all -- the continuing cults of "Pyramidology."

Interesting passtimes, I'm sure, but... (my tongue is bitten bloody!)

Hoaglandism is simply a mystery to me. Sometimes I want to show them the tens of thousands of enormous pyramids all over the planet! Were they all built by ancient civilizations? For criminy sakes, WHY?

It's a lot more interesting to me to explore what kind of surface processes -- without the mediation of civilization -- could produce such an abundance of pyramidal objects on such scales.

I don't see anybody looking into it in any detail, and sooooo many other things get neglected partly because of that "poisoning." It's a shame. (Here's a question: Where did all the dust come from and why is it primarily deposited in a few discreet locations? The answers may seem obvious, but.... )

As for the hostility toward Malin... well we should be more grown up about these things, and if anyone else has better imaging systems orbiting Mars, I'd like to see them!

To me, Mars is a fascinating object of exploration, where the spirit can soar in the quest for discovery. Something remarkable happened there, amazing stories are yet to be told, and wonders beyond measure will one day be revealed. I don't want that day put off any longer than necessary!

I hope you can continue to use your considerable talents and insights to shove things forward.

Cheers, BRFelix