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Why mathematicians are boycotting their biggest conference

scientificamerican.com

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Re: Why mathematicians are boycotting their biggest conference

#31

Post by xigoi »

FridayoLeary wrote: post #7
jleyank wrote: post #2

Nobody will care if the conference isn’t held in Philly. Holding it elsewhere will probably make it a little easier and possibly a little cheaper for people to attend. I doubt mathematicians are part of the 1%, so cash and travel hassle should matter. And given today’s Internet, there’s going to be remote attendance which can happen most anywhere. While it’s still convenient to gather together to discuss a field, it’…

It's just grandstanding.They are mathematicians not political activists. If they want their organization to slide into irrelevance, getting involved in left wing (or right wing, but with academia it's usually left wing) politics is a great way to do that.

Not wanting to travel to a dangerous country is not politics.

Re: Why mathematicians are boycotting their biggest conference

#32

Post by em-bee »

sQL_inject wrote: post #27
bjourne wrote: post #26

There are many researchers who already avoid US conferences. The risk of arbitrary arrest, being denied entry, or general asshattery from border guards who want to snoop through your social media is just too high. The needless and unjustified war against Iran is just the final straw.

This comment is devoid of data. There have been less stoppages and detentions than you can count on one hand of scientists and mathematicians. There are hundreds of thousands classified via various levels of visa. None have been arrested in some unlawful manner, and the onus is on you to define "asshattery" in a way that is defensible. Foreign adversaries have been embedded within the US academic institutions before…

when i consider traveling to any country i don't care about statistics. i care about feeling safe. unless you can prove and guarantee that i will not be bothered when crossing the border then i'll stay away.

Re: Why mathematicians are boycotting their biggest conference

#33

Post by snthpy »

> The petition cites the 2022 decision by the ICM’s organizing body, the International Mathematical Union (IMU), to move the last congress out of Saint Petersburg, Russia, in response to the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. The event was moved mostly online, with a small in-person awards ceremony held in Helsinki, Finland. > > “Holding the ICM in the United States, after it started two illegal wars, represents a double standard, given that, practically immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine, the ICM in Russia was canceled,” says Michael Harris, a mathematician at Columbia University. Harris is a scheduled panelist for the conference, though he is listed by the petition as an ICM speaker who shares its values.

The logic checks out. Must have some logician signatories.

Not to mention the risk of getting blocked at customs or arrested by ICE.

Re: Why mathematicians are boycotting their biggest conference

#34

Post by croisillon »

hereme888 wrote: post #17
blipvert wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe they are not fans of American citizens being shot in the face?

Which specific incident are you referring to? Not the one where the American citizen tried to run over the ICE agent with her car, right?

the usual flipfloppers who support both the Jan 6 riot and the killings of anybody not agreeing with their dear leader

Re: Why mathematicians are boycotting their biggest conference

#36

Post by GuB-42 »

sQL_inject wrote: post #27
bjourne wrote: post #26

There are many researchers who already avoid US conferences. The risk of arbitrary arrest, being denied entry, or general asshattery from border guards who want to snoop through your social media is just too high. The needless and unjustified war against Iran is just the final straw.

This comment is devoid of data. There have been less stoppages and detentions than you can count on one hand of scientists and mathematicians. There are hundreds of thousands classified via various levels of visa. None have been arrested in some unlawful manner, and the onus is on you to define "asshattery" in a way that is defensible. Foreign adversaries have been embedded within the US academic institutions before…

I think that mathematicians can do the maths...

But it is not just about the numbers, you are probably right that statistically, mathematicians don't have much to fear at the border, but the current administration seems to go out of its way make the US unwelcoming. All countries will protect their borders in some way but they usually don't make a show out of it like the US does.

If you go to a hotel and are greeted by a grumpy guy who asks how how you dare book a room on their property, it is a natural reaction to move to the hotel next door where the staff is hopefully more friendly.

Re: Why mathematicians are boycotting their biggest conference

#37

Post by hereme888 »

hagbard_c wrote: post #19
hereme888 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which specific incident are you referring to? Not the one where the American citizen tried to run over the ICE agent with her car, right?

Clearly that one although it is unclear if she really wanted to run him over. That was a sorry event on all sides from the 'professional protesters' who think they can just interfere with police operations without running any risk themselves - the woman's partner screamed 'why did you use real bullets' - to the policeman who, having been dragged along by an illegal several weeks ago was clearly hair-triggered when it…

A balanced statement. But unwelcome in these unreasonable times where you're supposed to pick one crowd or be treated like an enemy.
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