Pledge program prompts columns

An online column about a PBS pledge-drive special, The UltraMind Solution, has sparked a debate on Salon.com. The show offers a combination of books, DVDs and home questionnaires to reportedly help participants sharpen their minds and lessen depression and anxiety. The program ran during pledge drives and related items were given as pledge bonuses. Dr. Robert Burton, a former hospital chief of neurology, calls physician and author Mark Hyman's medical theories a "fringe opinion" and is troubled by the show's appearance of an infomercial. Hyman responds that his program is based on sound medical research and is grateful for PBS's "courageous stand" in airing the show.