I have listened to Smith's talk. This comment 'PLOS should be ashamed to be associated with this point of view' is interesting. Even as a doctor who publishes in journals I find some of the comments made rather opaque. The one above appears to demonstrate significant over sensitivity to an abstract metaphor and indicates that the speaker has touched a tender spot. Such reactions tell me more about the respondent than the Speaker. When people are being sensitive, and a little precious, in such exchanges experience teaches that they are usually uncomfortable about their position and attitude, and are probably being less than entirely straight-forward and leaning towards motivations more related to self-interest.