copy of http://recursed.blogspot.com/2008/07/institute-of-advanced-scientific.html

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

"Institute of Advanced Scientific Researches" Changes Name, Threatens Me

I previously commented on the odd solicitation I received from the "Institute of Advanced Scientific 
Researches". I observed in passing that the name was odd, as most North Americans would be more likely to use 
"research" instead of "researches".

Over the past couple of days, the Institute has apparently changed its name to the "Institute of Advanced 
Scientific Research". But instead of thanking me for correcting their English, they are now threatening me.

I have now received several incoherent e-mail messages from "Zahra K. Khalafi" who claims to be the "Director of 
Institute of Advanced Scientific Research" and accuses me of writing "fake" and "counterfeit" messages. He 
states he will "take action by the law and we will see you in court in USA or CANAD" [sic] and asks if I am a 
"Canadian government agent". Really, I have no idea what he is complaining about. I found his institute's 
solicitation odd, and I said so. I found his Institute's name odd, and he apparently changed it. It seems to me 
he should be grateful.

If Mr. Khalafi wants to encourage other researchers to join his efforts, inviting people to join editorial 
boards and then threatening to sue them is probably not the optimal way to go about it.

Posted by Jeffrey Shallit at 7:41 AM