Why is Atkins vilified? Here's my guess: it's due to more of what his WOE represents than the man personally. His WOE scares people who have bought into the low fat, high carb recommendations so prominent over the past 40 years as a prescription for health, his WOE scares vegans/vegetarians for the same reasons, but who have agendas beyond human health, his WOE scares the medical community who have promoted low fat lifestyles for CVD/CHD health, and his WOE scares business (pharma, food manufacturers). His name is associated with many unfounded negative health myths to the point where invoking the name "Atkins" alone stirs all of these fears from several large groups. This has spanned five generations. Yes, these fears are unfounded and scientifically unsubstantiated, but they're real. These "beliefs" have been status quo for a long time. We should understand the complex dynamics behind the negative associations with Robert Atkins' name, not the man and his work.