Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is one of the most prominent scientific organizations in the world with associations to such luminaries as Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Despite that proud history, British scientists are pushing to politicize the society and expel Elon Musk because they disagree with his political views. It is not simply anti-intellectual but self-destructive for a society committed to the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
Few individuals in history have had a more pronounced impact on scientific and technological advances than Musk. His work on Space X alone has reshaped space technology. The upcoming mission to rescue the stranded scientists only highlights his transformative role and that of his company.
However, more than 2,700 scientists have signed an open letter that cited his public attacks on figures such as Anthony Fauci. They also noted that ‘The situation is rendered more serious because āMr. Musk now occupies a position within a Trump administration in the USA that has over the past several weeks engaged in an assault on scientific research in the US that has fallen foul of federal courts.ā”
It is unclear what cases are being referenced, since there have been several rulings against efforts to enjoin DOGE and Musk. More importantly, such litigation has only just begun.Ā Whether the challengers or the Administration have āfallen foul” is yet to be determined.
Others made it clear that they simply disagree with Musk’s views.
Professor Dorothy Bishop, a University of Oxford psychologist, resigned earlier from the society, stating “I just feel far more comfortable to be dissociated from an institution that continues to honour this disreputable man.”
Others accused Musk of spreading “disinformation,” a much-abused category in the United Kingdom as a basis for censorship.
Many of these scientists seem selective in their outrage. I do not recall the Royal Society rushing to the defense of the many scientists who were fired or silenced over their dissenting views on COVID-19.
That includes the lab theory that led to scientists being denounced as conspiracy theorists or racists. Now, federal agencies agree that the theory is legitimate and indeed favored by some offices.
Some experts questioned the efficacy of surgical masks, the scientific support for the six-foot rule and the necessity of shutting down schools. The government has now admitted that many of these objections were valid and that it did not have hard science to support some of the policies. While other allies in the West did not shut down their schools, we never had any substantive debate due to the efforts of this alliance of academic, media and government figures.
Not only did millions die from the pandemic, but the United States is still struggling with the educational and mental health consequences of shutting down all our public schools. That is the true cost of censorship when the government works with the media to stifle scientific debate and public disclosures.
There is an alternative. The Royal Society could confine its review to the scientific contributions of figures like Musk. The subjectivity of this criticism should be antithetical to a scientific organization. Science is ideally a field that transcends political, social, and religious divisions. Few figures in history have advanced the cause of space travel and green technology as Musk.
I hope the Royal Society will decline to engage in such political exclusions, but I am hardly hopeful. However, in carrying out this expulsion, they will do far more harm to their society than to Elon Musk.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of āThe Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.ā
The Royal Society disagrees with giving telecom access (via StarLink) to war-torn areas of Ukraine and hurricane ravaged areas of the US, and it disagrees with rooting out hundreds of billions of dollars in fraud, waste, and abuse by the US government. It also is completely ignorant of how the American judicial system works. IOW they are a bunch of nitwits. Musk is far above their level and should have nothing to do with them. Any association with them can only harm a personās reputation.
These are people who disagree with Trump’s New Initiative – The NUT Zero Policy!
Yes, Trump is attempting to lower the ill effect of NUTS on our society! First, he is depriving may of them of U.S. tax dollars, forcing them to get real jobs, like slinging hash and digging ditches! No more International Head of Gender Awareness jobs for you! Second, he is ending the gravy train to the organizations who take our taxes to spread nuttiness to the whole world.
I bet you that some of the Royal Pains-in-the-Ass are getting U.S. tax dollars for their research, either directly thru grants, or indirectly, thru money sent to front organizations.
Outright, blatant discrimination of an African-American by the racist bigots at the Royal Society.
Nice to hear a comment from a representative, such as yourself, of the KKK.
I donāt think Vincente represents the Democrats.
@oldmanfromkansas: You are correct, I certainly do not, not by a long shot.
The KKK is aligned with today’s far right. You’re a racist and proud of it. I don’t get why you don’t stand up and be unafraid to to put a stake in the ground and say, “the whites of South Africa have been unfairly forced to treat blacks on an equal basis!!” It’s what Musk has said.
Karl, were the American Founders Members of the KKK?
_____________________________________________________________
Naturalization Acts of 1790, 1795, 1798, and 1802
United States Congress, āAn act to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,ā March 26, 1790
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That any Alien being a free white person, who shall have resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for the term of two years, may be admitted to become a citizen thereof…
Breaking News: Trump says Putin isn’t a murderous dictator and has been smeared by “lame stream” media.
” Trump says Putin isnāt a murderous dictator
And you note that because every right-thinking (i.e., brain-dead, platitude-regurgitating) woke twit (possible incorrect vowel there) KNOWS WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY that Putin is that?
There’s not a single Trump supporter who thinks otherwise. They think Putin is the good guy and Zelenskyy is the bad guy and would never condemn Trump for it.
Both Putin and Zelenskyy are bad. Putin is former KGB and Zelenskyy is just plain corrupt. This is why we should never have gotten involved in Ukraine in the first place.
“Both Putin and Zelenskyy are bad. Putin is former KGB and Zelenskyy is just plain corrupt. ”
Putin is obviously a survivor, and to be a survivor in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics no doubt required quite a bit of unsavory and amoral or immoral conduct (e.g, becoming a KGB operative). He certainly wouldn’t be on my short list of candidates for godfather for my descendants. Beyond that, I don’t have clue #1 about how bad an actor Putin is today. Do you? Zelenskyy’s corruption is right out there in the open for all with eyes to see.
Learn to fvking read, you gottverdammt nitwit.
From the attack on freedom of speech, to the Royal Societyās adopting leftist PC cancel culture, the benightenment of English society, paradoxically the cradle of the Western Enlightenment, proceeds apace. This is nothing less than the betrayal of the legacy of Locke, Smith, Mill et al. Western Civilization ending, as per T.S. Eliot, not with a bang, but a milquetoast PC whimper.
“…betrayal of the legacy of Locke, Smith, Mill…”
LOL, as if Trump believes in the ideals of Locke, Smith and Mill. As if Trump even knows who they are.
Quick flash poll*: in your Putin Trump fantasy are you…
A. Takin’ it from behind by Putin and giving it to Trump
B. Takin’ both Putin and Trump in all available holes
C. Circle jerking
*Not a scientific poll
He’s most likely taking it from behind by the little mediocre Ukranian comedian and (soon to be ex) dictator.
Just saying “hi” to all you Putin lovin’ traitors!
The Royal Society Moves to Expel Musk Over His Constant Lying
(the Royal Society is one of the most prominent scientific organizations in the world). Not any longer – it is now in the same league as the pulitzer price, the nobel prizes, the oscars and whatever group gave a country award to that fake blonde beyonce.
LOL, all those organizations don’t allow stupidity so you don’t like them and they are therefore bad.
So, giving a Nobel Peace prize to a guy who got if for getting elected while being black?? Because WHAT other reason was there??
still suffering from TDS, we see. You should really seek help before the rest of your brain is entirely mush
“still suffering from TDS”
“Trump Derangement Syndrome” seems to have morphed into “Musk Derangement Syndrome”. I’ve come to view both as simply symptoms of the entitlement mentality of permanently juvenile (no matter of what age), spoiled, over-privileged, a$$-hats, who have come to expect to be insulated from any personality who “rubs them the wrong way”. Candidly, Donald Trump’s personality often “rubs me the wrong way”, but so what? That does not render me incapable of admiring or appreciating the tremendously effective and desperately needed job he has done thus far.
“pulitzer price”
Freudian slip? Maybe they should hire Drew Carey to host their presentations (Barker is dead).
It was a typo (or not, perhaps my left hand ring finger knew which key to press lol.
I know you MAGAts don’t like Huffington Post but you need to look around You are being lied to by musk and his underling trump.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/doge-accounting-errors_n_67b6538ce4b0be61010d7653
Sooo, I went to your link, and yes it looks like someone wrote $8 Billion, instead of $8 Million. But when brought to their attention, DOGE corrected it. So, no big deal.
Which, when has Huffpo, or the Left, like you, ever corrected anything??? Have you ever admitted that the Russian Collusion Story was made up crap, started by Hillary’s campaign???
If not, here is your chance, since accuracy seems to be sooo important to you –
Say, “I was wrong about Trump and Russiagate, and I apologize.
Then, we can move on to other errors!
Don’t hold your breath! Democrats do not give a damn about Truth. That is an alien concept to them. For them, it is only POWER.
“donāt like Huffington Post”
Only brain damaged leftists have read the Puffington Host in the last 20 years. Lying s’tunt once pretended to be a libertarian – some of use are STILL pissed off about that deception…
“Huffington Post ”
Only brain-damaged leftists have read the Puffington Host in the last 20 years. Lying s’tunt once pretended to be a libertarian – some of us a still PISSED about that deception…
Ike Newton’s family has just announced that he has ‘communicated’ with them and made it known he wants his name taken off the list of members of the Royal Society due to its censorship.
The Royal Society lost its anchor and is flowing into the North Sea. Soon,, they will be far from help and to prevent insignificance will require Musk’s skills to bring them back to land.
“hey will be far from help and to prevent insignificance will require Muskās skills to bring them back to land.”
I’d prefer that he just launch them into orbit. Life support system optional.
Others made it clear that they simply disagree with Muskās views.
Where there is smoke there is Wuhan Institute of Virology. Dig deeper.
From your linked Daily Mail article:
Scientists try to expel space pioneer Elon Musk from the Royal Society after accusing him of ‘disreputable’ behaviour
….However, the Royal Society is now set to meet next month to discuss the possibility of revoking Musk’s membership after more than 2,700 scientists signed an open letter accusing the X owner of breaching the society’s code of conduct. The letter, penned by biologist Stephen Curry, cited Musk’s apparent shift from scientific pursuits towards right-wing politics both in the US and abroad as the principal concern of other members.
Who is Stephen Curry?
You might want to sit down for this and wear an N-95 Mask
Inhibition of viral suppressor of RNAi proteins by designer peptides protects from enteroviral infection in vivo. Fang Y,1,2,7 Zezhong Liu,3,7 Yang Qiu,2,7 Jing Kong,2 Yuhong Fu,3 Yujie Liu,1,2 Chong Wang,2,4 Jia Quan,1,2 Qian Wang,3 Wei Xu,3 Lei Yin,1 Jie Cui,5 Yi Xu,4 Curry S,6 Shibo Jiang,3 Lu Lu,3,* and Zhou X2,8,* Immunity. 2021 Oct 12;54(10):2231-2244.e6. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2021.08.027.
The lead researchers in all scientific papers are listed in the first (Fang, Y) and last (Zhou, X) positions.
Fang and Zhou are researchers at:
1. State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
2. State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430071, China
Stephen Curry is the only non-Chinese researcher, he is affiliated with Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
TL;DR: The Royal Society is covering for the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
No surprise here. Musk should sue Stephen Curry and the Royal Society for libel.
Since we now know (now debarred) Daszak’s EcoAliance Wuhan stunt was funded by USAID, Elon should take a closer look into USAID and RS connection.
# Thanks, that’s the connection. Perfect
The iron curtain of no free speech.
Estovir- Interesting, very interesting. Thanks for the Heads Up.
šš½
“That includes the lab theory that led to scientists being denounced as conspiracy theorists or racists. Now, federal agencies agree that the theory is legitimate and indeed favored by some offices.”
For what it’s worth, this is an appeal to political, not scientific, authority, which is not needed to find the “lab theory” credible. At the time, I read everything I could find on the subject and the preponderance of empirical evidence — not authoritative declarations, not findings by a government agency, not somebody’s opinion, not the ‘correct’ interpretation, — empirical evidence strongly suggested that the only place the virus could have come from was the lab in Wuhan (or Wuhan lab/experiments with bats/furmin cleavange=gain of function x outlawed in US/2012/EcoHealth cutout funds research in Wuhan lab + WHO coverup with head of Ecohealth = rational conclusion that the lab was the origin of the virus). Not to mention satellite images of the parking lots near the Wuhan lab and hospitals (actually on line) in November ’19 showing different traffic patterns, Daszak boasting on a video about getting round US sanctions, and on and one, including location of virus-bearing bats+teams of Wuhan scientists taking to lab + first ‘known’ casualties from lab . . . who cares what the federal agencies think? I sure don’t, especially after the mess they made of a pandemic that was no worse than two or three flu outbreaks (Asian, Hong Kong, Swine) and resulted in high death rates primarily among those with weakened immune systems, two or more serious health problems, and old age (most who died were over 74). And that was known in 2020-early 2021. Then there were the masks that were useless but mandatory, the six-foot ‘safe’ distance which miraculously appeared to Fauci one fine day, and lie after lie, accompanied by the suppression of free speech and the shut-down (think Attica prison 1969) of billions of people. Final straw? And it still is true — none of the government experts or media noticed the ‘control group’ in Sweden, which did better in overall death toll than all of the countries that shut-down, and kept its school open for those 16 and under, with no ill effects to students or teachers.
Well, at least the federal agencies now agree that the “lab theory” is “legitimate” — whatever that might mean; it’s not a term often found in a lab.
Don’t get me wrong. I admire Turley for printing that, and for standing up for free speech, but the COVID nonsense and the right to free speech (and free inquiry) are intertwined; they are not separate topics. Autocracy is autocracy, even when practiced by ‘experts’ and the well-meaning.
For printing what exactly? An opinion?
Honestly who cares about Royal something or other.
Just a bunch of Karen and Ken eggheads.
At the time, I did the same research and drew the same conclusions. The Lab Leak Theory was always the most likely origin. I shared my views with friends and family, and many of them thought I was a crank.
Most people just don’t take the time to research things for themselves, so they defer to “authority”, which is often politically influenced.
It was once said that āThe Sun never sets on the British Empireā. Now they have fallen so far that I am no longer certain if that sunlight even gets into the UK.
There definitely seems to be a shadow falling over that land and one wonders if that once proud nation of Newton, Wellington, Nelson, Churchill, Disraeli, Gladstone, Dickens will ever emerge again.
There is a certain segment there that still hates the North American colonists that have grown and eclipsed them in every way imaginable. And then to add insult to that Injury, Elon Musk leaves a commonwealth country , goes to another commonwealth country then leaves there and ends up in the clutches of those hated Americans and becomes the richest man in the world and revolutionizes mankindās ascent into space and now sits at the side of the supposed antichrist Donald Trump. Itās just more than any proper Englishman can take. Heads are exploding all over those benighted isles. The cleanup is probably going to be expensive.
What Gobbledygook. Your prose is pretentious. You’re no philosopher mister.
Anonymous at 9:36
You have to understand that GEB is already under the influence of alcohol at this hour of the morning.
He is well into his daily dose of Black Russians.
His pretentious verbosity is a direct result of the disinhibition induced by his alcoholic indulgences.
Anonymous-10:49
Prissy Bottom (borrowing from another reader) here has a fixation on projecting his personality disorder on those he disagrees with. Iāve heard worse and from better trolls than you.
^^^ grouchy today, are we?
Anonymous 10:07
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot for you
Professor Turley,
Did you even go to the Royal Society’s website to confirm the purpose of the organization before writing this post?
https://royalsociety.org/about-us/what-we-do/advising-policy-makers/
Literally, the first page under “What We Do” is to be a “leader in supporting evidence informed decision making in government and beyond.” This “means that the Society actively works to ensure that decision making, political debate and parliamentary scrutiny are informed by timely and accessible scientific advice, and a rich evidence base.”
So, YES, it is a political advocacy organization. So, this appears to be a big nothingburger.
Not only that – it appears this has been its purpose since its inception. Its “History” page says the following:
“How did the Royal Society advise Parliament through its history?
Throughout the Victorian period, although independent of government, the Royal Society had been consulted in matters of public interest and had acted in the administration of national institutions: either directly, for example in the management of the Meteorological Office (1865-1905) and Kew Observatory (1871-1899) or by their establishment, including the National Physical Laboratory (1900). In specific instances, the Society reported on a variety of scientific matters to Parliament or to colonial administrations: from progress on Babbageās calculating engine (1823-1831), to investigations into sleeping sickness (1896-1903) and malaria (1898-1903).”
So, what is the actual purpose of your post? That a political advocacy organization that believes in evidence-driven policymaking informed by scientific inquiry has pushed back on Musk given his decision to torpedo the NIH?
Why in the world would that be surprising?
āleader in supporting evidence informed decision making in government and beyond.ā
You are very confused.
Science informing public policy is not the same thing as: science is the handmaiden of propaganda.
reading comprehension is difficult. Those words come from the Royal Society, not me. How, then, is your conclusion that “I” am confused?
“How, then, is your conclusion that āIā am confused?”
Because you’re conflating the two. And you’re dropping the context of *this* controversy.
Your website quotes are the former. This campaign against Musk is the latter. (The proof for that is their own quotes, which you conveniently ignored.)
This is wildly incoherent.
Your analysis is flawed. Providing scientific facts, evidence, and theories to Parliament (or any government agency) is not political advocacy.
There are literally sections on “Public Engagement” and “Advising Policy Makers”! Did you look up what they did before writing this clearly erroneous response? Political advocacy is a massive part of what it does. Why would you make up some limitation on their activities?
https://royalsociety.org/about-us/what-we-do/advising-policy-makers/
https://royalsociety.org/about-us/what-we-do/public-engagement/
“From addressing climate change to developing new vaccines, the importance of science to our everyday lives has never been clearer, and the relationship between public and scientific research has never needed to be stronger. Thatās why we are passionate about ensuring public engagement ā the many ways that researchers share their work with others ā is an important and valued element of the research lifecycle.
We want everyone to have access to, and understanding of, scientific knowledge and the scientific approach. We want to listen to the views of the public, involve them in our work and inspire everyone to explore new discoveries as well as the rich history of science.
We commission public dialogues to understand public opinion on emerging and often controversial technologies. We work with the higher education sector to promote the importance of public and societal engagement as part of a healthy research culture. And we create events and digital content for all ages and all interests, from our annual Summer Science Exhibition to videos exploring the scientists who shaped our world.
The Society has long shown leadership and innovation in public engagement: from the Bodmer Report in 1985, to the establishment of the Michael Faraday Prize; from the founding of the Committee for the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) to the establishment of our Science Book Prizes and the Summer Science Exhibition.
Our work is governed by the Public Engagement Committee, chaired by cosmologist Professor Carlos Frenk FRS. It is delivered by the Public Engagement team in partnership with institutions across the UK and globe and is underpinned by three key deliverables.
A programme that promotes the importance of public engagement within the research sector
A dialogue programme that proactively informs, involves and listens to the public on emerging trends in science and technology
A public programme to inspire and enthuse all about science”
āOthers accused Musk of spreading ādisinformation,ā a much-abused category in the United Kingdom as a basis for censorship.ā
Of course, another country with its own rules and laws is entirely justified in its views. Turley ignored Musk’s admission that he often puts out āincorrectā information and should be corrected, but not by him. Thus, he deliberately posts disinformation to justify his false claims.
The Society is well within its prerogative to drop Musk despite his success in one field. The medical āexpertsā Turley mentions are those who have the credibility of āAs seen on TVā doctors peddling cures, lotions, and medical gadgets on midnight TV slots to the gullible and naive.
Turleyās defense of Musk overlooks his incompetence with the firing of individuals that ended up being crucial members of those who maintain, design, and protect our nuclear weapons. The firing of staff who are currently fighting the spread of bird flu which is contributing immensely to the price of eggs.
Elon isnāt some Tony Stark genius. Heās good at putting up an image that he is. Just like Trump. Both are idiots when it comes to politics and social issues and it shows.
Turley for his part is just offering some mealy mouthed opinion defending the obvioulsy bad choices and decisions that are going to come back and bite both Elon and Trump. Trump is already avoiding any responsibility for rising inflation on his watch and his supporters are starting to notice heās not delivering on his promise to lower prices and inflation. He routinely made promises to do so on day one. Lying was a big thing for Trump supporters. Trump is now lying to his supporters about lowering prices while engaging in policies and changes that will increase prices more, not less.
Democrats should just let Trump do what he wants and let him own it all. There would be no one to blame but Trump and Republicans who stood idly by and consented to their abdication of their power of the purse. The mid-terms could pose a huge problem for Republicans who failed to do their job.
In my Appalachian upbringing you would be referred to as “dumber than a coal bucket”
“[A]nother country with its own rules and laws is entirely justified in its views.”
Really?
So the Soviets were “entirely justified” in sending dissidents to Siberia?
South Africa was “entirely justified” in its apartheid policies?
Communist China is “entirely justified” in making dissident scientists and journalists “disappear?”
Behold the utter evil of the Left’s cultural relativism.
Oh no, it’s George. Ignore that thing behind those words.
Maybe we should nominate George for the Royal Society. They got a category for BS?
BS, perhaps they got rid of him because of his incessant lying. FSD? Yea, next year. He has been saying that for 15 years and in those years how many people have died with FSD? What a crock of smelly human excrement.
$8 Billion savings? Ooops, $8 million. Hey, when you’re worth $200 Billion plus what is the difference between a billion and a million.
Millions of dead people getting SS? Give me a break, what a lying sack of SH-T.
We have the charts to prove you, in fact, are lying. (I’d pull them up myself, but work computer doesn’t allow for X links) The COBOL 150 argument doesn’t hold water when there’s hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of recorded 150-340 year olds in the SS system.
BS, time will tell they might find a hundred, maybe 2, when they go over the data with a fine tooth comb. Something they do all the time anyway.
This was all a show for the MAGA idiots.
We cares what these people think. Musk is contributing more to the scientific community then they are. Musk should respond, “Gladly!”
WOW! Science is supposed to be open minded and is supposed to question things. Where are we headed? Society is going backwards, NOT forwards, and science is supposed to be forward thinking. š
No, science is not open minded to falsehoods.
Sorry, but EVERYTHING in science is ALWAYS open for debate and further research. That’s how we learn. Otherwise we would still be thinking the sun revolved around the earth and the earth was flat.
Well said but for George the world is flat. He still thinks Galileo is an apostate.