 What is the significance of the idea of authority?
"A Theory of Psionic Influence on Infant and Child Development." When they were finally forced to recognize that this great and powerful force did indeed exist in human minds, with unimaginable potential if it could only be unlocked, they had plunged eagerly into the search, and found themselves in a maddening bramble bush of contradictions and chaos. They were trying to study phenomena which made no sense, observing things that defied logic. And the more they struggled, the thicker and more impenetrable the bramble bush became— But now David Lessing had discovered a pathway through that jungle, a theory to work by— At his elbow the intercom buzzed. But mostly, I want to see just what in psionic hell you're so busy making yourself an Authority about."
 It is one of many concerns the scientists have surrounding their research
 It is the only way Dr. Lessing will get enough traction to publish his book  It is the only thing that drives Dr. Melrose and his goals  It is one of many concerns the scientists have surrounding their research  It is the deciding factor in who gets to speak at the major conference