Pick of the week’s correspondence

A presumption of guilt To The Times

While I yield to no one in my condemnation of sexual assault and harassment, the decision of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to expel Harvey Weinstein remains troubling. That allegations of sexual harassment and assault have been made against Weinstein is not in doubt. But at the moment, these are allegations. Surely Weinstein is entitled to the presumption of innocence until a legitimate finding of guilt?

I note that the Academy has not yet expelled Roman Polanski, who in 1977 pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful intercourse with a minor. Can the Academy please explain why it has expelled Weinstein but not Polanski? Professor Geoffrey Alderman, University of Buckingham

Not-so-clever computers To the Financial Times

Facebook and Google claim that they struggle to find Russian ads aimed at influencing elections. But they also claim that they are worldleading artificial intelligence companies – able to make sense of data on a huge scale. Something that presumably would allow them to find rogue advertisers. The most likely explanation? AI is overhyped by the internet giants. Good news for anyone scared of clever computers. But bad news for democracy. Rob Blackie, Rob Blackie Digital Strategy, London

Over-clever PMS To The Guardian

In the discussions of how intelligence does not necessarily lead to wise judgement, it is worth remembering that the two worst errors of political judgement since the War – Suez and the 2016 EU referendum – both occurred under PMS who had Oxford Firsts. Roger Bardell, Welwyn, Hertfordshire

Later life “squatters” To The Times

Apparently many of us older folk are “sitting in houses that really are too big for their needs” (chance would be a fine thing), and Jackie Doyle-price, the Social Care Minister, says,

“We do need to have those conversations about what’s appropriate earlier.” Perhaps Doyle-price and her colleagues need to have conversations about stamp duty, to give us an incentive to downsize.

It’s bad enough having to deal with the onset of gammy hips and knees without being “got at” for living in, and enjoying the security of, our own homes. After inheritance tax and stamp duty, there won’t be much left for our children anyway. Vivian Fowler, London

Feeling the cold To The Guardian

Men often complain to me that their wives turn up the thermostat because they prefer warmer conditions. As a thermal comfort researcher, I can say there is no such thing as a single comfort temperature. A thin lady is likely to feel colder than a plump one. A sample in English homes recorded living room temperatures from 10°C to 25°C. Thermostat settings are driven by many factors, including environmental beliefs, routines, incomes or different approaches to heating. The energy industry would love us to heat whole buildings, but often all we need

to do is heat the people inside them. Average winter living room temperatures in New Zealand are around 14°C, where people sit by a small heater when relaxing. In Japanese homes temperatures can fall to 5°C indoors, because people keep warm with a kotatsu, a small heater covered by a shared rug. We all adapt to those temperatures we normally occupy. If uncomfortable, and we can afford to, we change our environments. Emeritus professor Sue Roaf, Oxford

Doctors and sex To The Times

Further to your report “Doctors may have to ask if patients are transgender”, the duties of a doctor registered with the General Medical Council are set out in its “good medical practice”, and include the obligations to: “Treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity; treat patients politely and considerately; respect patients’ right to confidentiality.”

Unless it is relevant to the clinical circumstances in hand, asking questions about sexual orientation would be irrelevant, disrespectful, intrusive and prurient. Doctors who ask such questions, or allow their practice staff to do so, should be reported by the patient to the GMC for practising unethically. Richard Rawlins, FRCS, Kingswear, Devon

Puffing away To The Guardian

The Government’s audit on race reveals that white teenagers are four times more likely to be smokers than black teenagers. Obviously, black teenagers and their families are doing something right. What could it be? Can we look forward to the Government funding research to find out? I’m not holding my breath. Marjorie Shephard, Hove, East Sussex

Coins down the sofa... To The Daily Telegraph

The Royal Mint claims there are 500 million old pound coins still in circulation. That is £7.62 for every man, woman and child in the UK. Where do they think they all are? I am guessing on the beach, in the garden, lost in overseas visitors’ luggage, and down the back of the sofa. David Sleath, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

...can be put to good use To The Daily Telegraph

When everyone has found their round pound coins in the back of the sofa, I suggest they put them in a Poppy Appeal tin.

This year’s appeal will start at the end of this month. The Royal British Legion will accept any old pound coins until 17 November. Cate Goodwin, Stamford, Lincolnshire