"I am quite concerned about this 'Manifesto,'" TF Ted West wrote. "My own philosophy is that problem sets are an opportunity for students to learn about how to think about the material discussed in lecture and covered in the text."

"[Problem sets] should challenge students to think about the subject matter...They SHOULD do [that]. Which is to say, I don't think they do," replied Bromobenzene.

"The 'answer you are looking for' is usually the product of a quite plug'n'chug formula application," he wrote. "I see no depth in the problems, only good ol' down home high school style busywork."

At the bottom of his reply, a flashing signature sits above the well-publicized FBI sketch of the Unabom suspect.

Bromobenzene was joined by other students who expressed their frustration at the course.

"I agree totally with Bromobenzene Boy," reads one posting. "The problem sets are so unclear...it's just plain badly written."

But TFs in the course disagreed with Bromobenzene Boy's assertions.

"All of the questions were clear enough, and there were no glaring errors. [Bromobenzene] attempts to nitpick, but he fails to dig anything up," wrote TF Tim J. Dransfield in an e-mail yesterday.

Most of the students who posted replies did not side with Bromobenzene either.

"Little Boy - please grow up," wrote one student.

"Enroll in Chem 10. Maybe then you'll be happy," wrote another.

Members of the teaching staff also questioned Bromobenzene's motives in their replies.

"If you want to learn something deeper, BBB, it is your responsibility to do so!" wrote Dransfield. "This course cannot delve into Quantum Mechanics, but you can, if, as you say, you are truly interested in learning more, and not just spouting half-truths and nit picking."

Other TFs expressed concern about the effect on the discussion group.

"I am afraid that the discussion group has devolved from its original design as a source of academic help," wrote John F. Love. "I fear that your monopolistic use of it as an avenue for combative personal expression may have a chilling effect on others' willingness to use this wonderful tool of technology for more noble ends."