Editor:

Regarding "A Burning Question" (Mailbox, Dec. 20): Alan Sanborn wonders why the fine tuning of universal fundamental constants has any more relevance than his leaving his house at exactly 10:17 a.m. on Tuesday. I have it on good authority that what he didn't realize is that he'd been singled out by malicious extraterrestrials as the one human on Earth who could avert their dastardly plan to annihilate our planet. Having a sporting streak, they allowed that they would call it off if — and only if — Mr. Sanborn was seen leaving his house at 10:17 on Tuesday ... which he did, serendipitously saving us all. Thanks Alan!

Barry Evans, Eureka