Ok, so now we are PC'ing up science?

Question

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411366/1409585

I do not agree with his comments nor do I think they are true. But its a scary world when a scientist, speculating on data he has gathered, is suspended/ostracized for his theories and views like this.

But then again, they did the same thing to scientists hundreds of years ago all in the name or RC instead of PC. (religious correctness)

First off, read his comments in their entirety. It wasn't discriminatory so much as it was mere hypothesizing.

James: Read his comments. he said Western Cultures and Style of politics most likely would not work in africa and he worries about that because of the data he collected. DO people disagree with his assumption? Absolutely.

Does that mean he's racist? Absolutely not. Does it mean he's wrong? No. Does it mean he's right? No.

He works in a field of facts and data followed up by educated guesses. There is no room for feelings, emotions and "mommy he huwrt my feewings"

First off, read his comments in their entirety. It wasn't discriminatory so much as it was mere hypothesizing.

James: Read his comments. he said Western Cultures and Style of politics most likely would not work in africa and he worries about that because of the data he collected. DO people disagree with his assumption? Absolutely.

Does that mean he's racist? Absolutely not. Does it mean he's wrong? No. Does it mean he's right? No.

He works in a field of facts and data followed up by educated guesses. There is no room for feelings, emotions and "mommy he huwrt my feewings"

Simon, thank you for your post. I was well thought out but I do disagree with some of it.

For starters, sickle cell anemia and heart attacks. If one race of people is more prone to these "physical" "defects" (very poorly used term) why is so outlandish to hypothesize that there could be mental differences?

And I thank you all for your answers and for staying on topic

Bill Nye, what a rip-off scientist.

Beakman, as in Beakmans World! was THE kid's show scientists. hahaha

Good points though, thank you very much, evolved.

Answer 1

Why was he suspended from his lab?

Being a jerk doesn't make a person a bad scientist... That's just weird. And unfair. Freedom of speech, even to those I disagree with.

Answer 2

You should not speculate on data.

You definitely should not speculate on shoddy data.

You deserve all you get if you speculate on shoddy data by claiming it justifies discrimination.

There are genetic differences between Africans and Caucasians. Two that spring to mind are the probability of a heart attack and sickle cell anemia.

However, the science on these thing are well founded and they are facts. It does not say anything about the intelligence or ability of the two groups. To talk about these things may be considered not PC by some but that does not alter the facts.

For a scientist to establish the result and then arrange the facts to match, which is what Watson appears to have done, is unacceptable. Doubly so if it perpetrates a message of discrimination.

It is a sadness that someone of this stature and intelligence can not overcome his preconceptions on race.

Answer 3

I'm sure the suspension is just a political move. Boards of Trustees have no agenda other than their self-interest. They just want to keep the heat away from them (and it's already drawn a lot of heat). Had he said something equally as inaccurate, but not at all impolitic, there would have obviously been no suspension. Don't read too much into it.

Answer 4

Bill Nye, you know The Science Guy, was booed off a stage in Texas for saying that the moon does not give off any light itself, it merely reflects light from the sun.

The genius parents in the audience screamed at him, that they knew the truth because, and I quote, "The Lawd creattited a big laaaht and a lttel laaaaht, we know its true, its in the Baaaahbul"

(Did I mention it was Waco, Texas).

No one likes to hear things that contradict what they have accepted.

Answer 5

This isn't a matter of political correctness! His comments were totally ungrounded and absolutely LUDICROUS.

All of these so-called "intelligence tests" are completely biased - this is common knowledge, and in fact, when IQ tests are tailored to the cultures that they live in, they do just as well. This has nothing to do with race, but cultural differences.

Don't be ridiculous.

Answer 6

It's the only way idiots like Al Gore can have their "truth" become accepted.

Answer 7

I agree, the man is a SCIENTIST! not a politician...if he can prove his theories, let him be...