The fact that he understands so much about literature and so little about life is testament to his obsession

The fact that he understands so much about literature, and so little about life, is testament to his obsession. It is also the flaw in his critical work.For Professor Bloom, what is right for him is right for everyone. A life spent reading great literature has not taught him how to relate to people Therefore reading can be of no benefit to society. Similarly, he likes nothing more than to be antagonistic, so the writers he admires must all be antagonistic too. I hope, like Professor Bloom, that we will not abandon the canonical study of great literature. But I can't help feeling that despite appearances, it will be no thanks to him if we don't.'How To Read And Why' is published by Fourth Estate, £15.99. Scientists are about to unveil the "naturally" decaffeinated coffee plant in what could be the most significant development in convenience food technology since sliced bread.

Scientists are about to unveil the "naturally" decaffeinated coffee plant in what could be the most significant development in convenience food technology since sliced bread. The plant will be genetically modified to eliminate a gene that produces caffeine. Its beans will taste as normal but will not create the heart-pounding effects of caffeine.Tea as well as coffee could benefit. Professor Alan Crozier, of Glasgow University, working with Japanese colleagues, has identified the key enzyme involved in the natural synthesis of caffeine. He believes it would be simple to eliminate this enzyme from a genetically modified coffee or tea plant."Consumers concerned about the possible adverse effects of caffeine consumption will welcome this development towards caffeine-free drinks that retain their flavour," the researchers report in the journal Nature.The caffeine is normally removed chemically from coffee and tea but leaves a residue. "The other problem, is that it removes other components from the coffee that give taste and aroma and this is why decaff coffee tastes like dishwater," said Professor Crozier.Caffeine raises blood pressure, induces palpitations, gastrointestinal disturbances, anxiety, tremors, hypertension and insomnia.Selflessly, Professor Crozier will not benefit from his breakthrough. "For me, I'd still prefer drinking a big, black cup of coffee," he says.. A robot security guard has been developed in Thailand that can fire bullets either by itself or through instructions from humans via an internet link.

A robot security guard has been developed in Thailand that can fire bullets either by itself or through instructions from humans via an internet link. Fears are mounting that Roboguard - which has infrared sensors able to track people as they move and the potential to fire a laser-guided gun in automatic mode - could run amok, even with the internet connection.Developed by Pitikhate Sooraksa of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology in Bangkok, the robot consists of a motorised trolley holding a gun and a video camera, which can be pointed separately."This is a bad idea of prize-winning magnitude," said a posting to comp.risks, a website about potentially dangerous computer systems. Another said: "The apparent goal here is to make remote firepower available on-the-spot from around the internet" whichwould almost certainly lead to someone hacking into the robot's controls remotely.The designer of the robot said the internet controller would have to use a password to tell the machine to fire. "We think the decision to fire should always be a human decision - otherwise it could kill people," Mr Sooraksa said. He hopes to interest the army in it and is planning a walking version.Kevin Warwick, a cyberneticist at Warwick University, told New Scientist he was worried about the implications.