I've just exchanged a series of emails with the aforementioned Ben Goldacre of the Guardian and his Bad Science blog, and the thing that most strikes me is he's so bloomin' prickly! We've discussed the article and he makes the points I'd expect him to - I've no problem with that at all and I think he'll publish some of it on his blog. I'm all for discussing the maths with him and the stuff we've both written.

But I've also endured a dig at my age and a dig at comments on this website (an unfair one I might add), which just seems a bit unnecessary and irrelevant. He seemed to be out to have a go at me from the start. It makes me glad I don't have to endure this kind of bickering day in, day out, in what is - for the most part - a job full of very pleasant, positive people. I'm sure Ben's like that normally but this afternoon he seemed determined to get under my skin.

"I don't really get blogs," says a colleague sat next to me. "I don't get why you assume people want to read what you write." And here are Ben and I sat writing agitated emails. It's probably a nice day outside... I need that attitude! Consider all maths-related blogging here closed.