Mary Roach's books and stories delve into topics like sex, death, and the people who study them. So it's not unusual for her human subjects to be wary, she tells Matt Shipman: "When someone says no, I try to deconstruct it. What exactly is making you uncomfortable? Can we address this somehow? What if I show you your quotes or let you fact-check the chapter? I find that more often than not, it’s a simple fear of the unknown, and some specifics will help pave the way."
