Letter/Copy letter

Scope and Content

From Donald Mackay, King's College London [Donald MacCrimmon MacKay, 1922-1987, physicist] asks about the "Macy" meeting this spring, [he is referring to the Macy cybernetics conferences in the US, the 10th and final one being held in April 1953]. He believes thinks [Rudolf] Carnap will be there and possibly [John] von Neumann. He went to the 1951 meeting and enjoyed it, saying the meetings are attended by "friendly people, full of idle curiosity". Turing's reply says he has already written to Warren McCulloch, who organises the conferences, to say he won't be attending. The meeting has appeal but would prefer not to go to the US; "I would not like the journey, and I detest America". He also doesn't want to ask the University for leave of absence.