Though Shannon praised an early draft of the article, calling it a “bang-up job of scientific reporting,” he took characteristic exception to these two opening paragraphs. “Much as I wish it were so, communication theory is not in the same league with relativity and quantum mechanics. The first two paragraphs should be rewritten with a much more modest and realistic view of the importance of the theory.” Shannon also urged Bello to acknowledge Norbert Wiener for his contemporary work on cybernetics—and to make sure Bell Labs researchers were given their due.
