I need to relate a somewhat complicated story about James Watson, Seed, Scienceblogs, Me and You.James Watson was on the board of directors of Seed Magazine at the time he made remarks mentioned in this post (reposted earlier today). I was just coming on board Science Blogs at that time, so I’m a little fuzzy on this, but my understanding is that many/most/all Sblings issued some sort of complaint, in blogs or via the Sb staff or whatever (as I say, I was barely aware of my surroundings at the time, having just been born), about Watson’s affiliation.After a period of time, there has been additional discussion of this, but since it is all “back channel” I am not at liberty to discuss any of it. All I will say is that this came up again recently when someone realized that Watson was “still on the board”… Which would be a little troubling given that his inexcusable remarks were made over a half a year ago.However, if you look real close, Watson is not actually listed as a board member. Rather, he is listed as an adviser to the board. This, to me, looks a little odd. Board are advisory bodies. Moving Watson from board member to adviser to the board looks and smells to me like a way of technically removing him from the board while at the same time not really removing him from the board.I hasten to add that I am not as familiar with the situation as I probably could be, and I’ve never been in direct contact with anyone at the highest levels of Seed. There is a certain chance that I am misinterpreting this “adviser” position, or that I am simply misinformed. However, I have made complaints about the Watson connection, and no one in authority has responded directly to me or to my knowledge to anyone (yes, there were “responses” and “conversations” but nothing I was privy to and I know of no details).A few months ago questions came up as to why Watson was still on the board, and a few Sblings blogged their discontent. II wrote a very strong post about this issue and sent the draft to the editors, without posting it, hoping a calm, cool, and collected transition could occur. A day or so later assurances were made that this problem was being dealt with.But now, months have gone by and Watson is still a prominent member of “The Team.” I will not be making any more back channel comments. Nor will I go out of my way to attack Seed, it’s owners, or Watson on my blog. But I will be writing about the issue of race, racism, and the stuff James Watson says about it.You may want to lock the children up. This is not likely to be pretty.Meanwhile, if you feel badly that Seed continues to support Watson and/or visa versa, in this strange and sticky relationship, I recommend this post for further consideration and, indeed, instruction.
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As the Republicans should have learned by now, “the coverup is worse than the crime.” If Seed is being deceptive about the status of their relationship with Watson, that is a bad thing in itself.
The remarks Watson made were certainly racist, but I thought the reaction by Scienceborgers was overblown. Watson lost his primary job as a result, as head of a government lab where his racism might conceivably have been an issue in personnel matters. Does the probability that he is racist matter to his relationship with Seed? Does he influence hiring decisions? If not, why should Seed kowtow to demands to sack him? I suspect most of the Scienceborg crew would agree with the wrongness of “zero tolerance” policies in most matters.
The more I hear about James Watson, the more appalled I become at his behavior and his “ideas”. Please, please, rant and rave about this. Somebody needs to do this. You may remember that shortly after Watson made his last round of appalling remarks regarding the supposed lack of intelligence of people of Afircan descent, William Saletan actually tried to defend the guy!Dr. Watson can and should be remembered for discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule. This was an important scientific achievement. But he has spent so much of his career peddling uscientific tripe atout races, sexes, etc., that, to me, it is a shame that he is still on the board of a supposed scientific media outlet. This should not be tolerated.And while I believe completely in freedom of speech and thought and ideas, if Dr. Watson really wants to express these appalling apinions of his, he should not be doing this in a scientific capacity. At all. And it is for this reason I clicked the link you posted, which leads to another link to SEED’s e-mail address. I sent them an e-mail, urging them to get rid of Watson as “adviser” to their board. I did it politely, because I was brought up to be polite, but I did try to lay out my case as clearly as possible.As for “locking up any children” while you rant and rave about Dr. Watson, I think children should learn early, that there are some types of behavior that are simply not acceptable in this day and age, and while it is best to be polite and courteous, even as you rant and rave, some latitude can be excused in the pursuit of decent behavior toward all and the need to edge closer to the spirit of scientific inquiry. Dr. Watson has done neither.Anne G
I don’t think seed is being particularly evil. I do think they have been less than brilliant about how to handle, make use of, a board of directors.
Indeed Greg. “Never ascribe to malice that which can easily be explained by sheer asshatery” or however that goes.
Somebody kick me before I post without previewing again.
…for the record, I hold no malice toward asses. In fact, I’m rather partial to the small and nicely shaped ones.
Watson was always an adviser. He was never on the official board. But as you point out in your other post, now he’s not even an adviser.
Dave,Thanks for the clarification. By the way, loved your post on homicidal thoughts.