Sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but John McCarthy seems to have passed. While there don't seem to be any "official" sources, Wendy Grossman -- a friend of the McCarthy family and a journalist -- received news that Dr. McCarthy has died. See https://twitter.com/#!/wendyg/status/128554733714669568 If what is said is true, RIP John McCarthy 1927-2011. Regards, Robert Smith