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Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
11–20 of 121 posts
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#12A summary on scientists from the World Science Forum 2024:
"The emphasis has been placed on innovation, the rankings have reduced scientists to publication machines, and this brings with it increasing distrust towards researchers."
I think Musk is a perfect fit among modern era scientists and the author has no place there with his outdated views.
Idea: "scientists must focus on research that benefits humanity rather than financial gain or publication metrics" (Tamara Elzein)
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#13I respect the author's principle-based approach but many of her arguments seem a little off. If the RS doesn't expel people for their politics, then it doesn't make sense to expel Musk for, essentially, concerns about his politics. And if you expel crotchety scientists for disagreeing with the scientific consensus there won't be any left. The RS motto is literally "Take nobody's word for it"; I don't see how Musk dis…
It's a valid viewpoint, however membership to the royal society is judged via candidates having made 'a substantial contribution to the improvement of natural knowledge, including mathematics, engineering science and medical science'. I would argue Elon is fully within scope, outside of the fact that I think Elon is not the slightest fit to the general ethos of that specific organization.
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#14> Most of those I've spoken to agree that a serious breach of these principles was in 2022, when Musk tweeted: "My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci", thereby managing to simultaneously offend the LGBTQ community, express an antivaxx sentiment, and put Fauci, already under attack from antivaxxers, at further risk. This statement is clearly relevant to a scientific society. It is not just about unrelated bigotry by a fello…
Elons statements were obviously not aimed at Faucis role in vaccine discussions, but in his much more dubious role in gain-of-function research and especially covering up the origins of Covid.
While that is relevant to a scientific society, I think it's worth taking a good hard look on whether its wise to take a side on that, other than maybe denounce gain-of-function research.
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#15No loss. Whinging about politics and non-mainstream opinions. Is there genuine curiosity (even dare I say wrongthink) left in the RS or is it just another polite social club for people to gather and feel smug about the consensuses they've formed.
It's generally the latter.
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#16I 100% support that letter. Musk is a stain on the Royal Society.
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#17All politics aside, is it normal for business people to be elected to the royal society?
Even if you think Musk is a genius, it seems hard to label him as a scientist (instead of a CEO of science-related companies).
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#18All politics aside, is it normal for business people to be elected to the royal society? Even if you think Musk is a genius, it seems hard to label him as a scientist (instead of a CEO of science-related companies).
Membership to the royal society is judged via candidates having made 'a substantial contribution to the improvement of natural knowledge, including mathematics, engineering science and medical science'.
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#19A summary on scientists from the World Science Forum 2024: "The emphasis has been placed on innovation, the rankings have reduced scientists to publication machines, and this brings with it increasing distrust towards researchers." I think Musk is a perfect fit among modern era scientists and the author has no place there with his outdated views. Idea: "scientists must focus on research that benefits humanity rather…
Wow! Hurt 'scientists' are among us apparently, it only took some seconds to downvote (mostly the words of other scientists, the rest is caustic irony). Small people, no place for widespread critical view, facing problems, self criticism.
Re: Why I have resigned from the Royal Society
#20I know who Elon Musk is and his contributions. My apologies, but I have never heard of the author and their contribution, and why should I fucking care what they (and 80 of their politically like-minded friends) think out of a thousand other members? Obviously the Royal Society's own relevance is hinged on picking who they should keep between two opposing members.