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IT is a 365-year-old institution that respects the world and has past members including notable figures such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Dorothy Hodgkin. But now, the queue surrounding billionaire Maverick is putting royal society at stake, splitting fellowships, and raising existential questions about its role in society.
More and more scientists at the academy are seeking the conduct of Elon Misk, who was elected a fellow in 2018.
Critics have alleged that Musk’s actions violated the royal code, citing his inflammatory comments about British politicians, American doctor and scientist Anthony Faucie being prosecuted and his role in cutting research funding with the so-called US “sector of government efficiency” (Doge).
Musk replied: “Craven alone, the uneasy fools care about awards and membership. History is always and forever the actual judge. The above comments are carelessly ignorant, cruel and false. That said, which specific actions need to be corrected? I make mistakes, but I will try to fix them quickly.”
Perhaps it’s the face of Volte, like the royals list banks. This is because despite open letters signed by more than 3,500 members of the science community, resignations by fellow and journal editors, and meetings on Monday, the academy has yet to comment on technology entrepreneurs.
While Musk’s actions are very public, the Royal Society claims that the handling of concerns remains secret. Fellows have been instructed not to speak to the press while the academy itself issued a broad statement after Monday’s meeting, after reviewing peers’ concerns about the need to cut funding in the US and strengthen efforts to advocate for science and scientists.
“Society has agreed to advocate for science and scientific research and consider further actions that could counter misinformation and ideologically motivated attacks on both science and scientists,” the statement added.
It is unknown what form it will take. The Guardian understands that letters will be sent The Royal Society Musk (Though its contents have not been determined yet), and there are no formal litigation or investigations currently underway.
It’s not the first time Musk has split opinions among fellowships. Not everyone was happy when he was proposed for the election. It is an honor awarded for his work in areas such as space travel and sustainable electric transport.
Becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society is often considered the pinnacle of a long research career. However, some argue that Musk is a businessman rather than a scholar, and that he is not an innovator himself.
At the heart of the latest turmoil is whether Musk has violated it. Academy Code of Conductincluding the provision that Fellows “do not fail to act or act that undermine the mission of society or render society disgusting.”
“We haven’t yet come across anyone who has made a clear argument that Elon Musk is not violating the Code of Conduct,” said Stephen Curry, professor emeritus of structural biology at Imperial College, London.
Curry said the rebuttal focused on concerns that it would punish people with their political views. “But I would completely reject it,” he said.
Professor Dorothy Bishop, a leading expert in children’s communication disorders, revealed that she and other peers first raised concerns about masks’ behavior in the summer of 2024, and that the academy’s lawyers determined that masks were not violating the code. The group then set up gathering further evidence of the violation, but the situation became unacceptable for the bishop. she I resigned from her relationship November.
February, another fellow professor Andrew Millerfollowed by the suit.
Royal Society documents state that if an investigation into allegations of misconduct is supported, the matter will be passed to the Commissioner of Conduct, a hearing will be held, and – if misconduct is deemed to have occurred, sanctions will be applied and banishment between options will be made.
But Bishop said no peers have been kicked out of the academy for over 150 years.
“It suggests that the law is expressed as virtually impossible to do anything about a fellow violating the Code of Conduct,” she wrote. Her resignation statement.
One of the few friends who were kicked out was Rudolf Erich Laspe. 1775 After being charged with “diver fraud and trust violations.”
Expelling Musk might bring a new headache, especially since he is not the only controversial companion. By inviting fellows to Monday’s meeting, the academy President, Sir Adrian Smith“We believe that society’s business is an advancement in the cause of science through strict rational scientific discussions and councils when the association makes a judgment on the views of its colleagues and the acceptability of alliances, and we see as a difficult basis.”
Expelling Musks could be politically difficult even during periods of rising tensions between the UK and the US. Some of the science community are stubborn Science should not be politicizedand discussed Rescising mask fellowship can undermine trust in science.
“In short, my point is that public claims trust scientists more than politicians because they believe they are fair and objective experts. Fiona Fox, a Royal Society Fellow and CEO of the Science Media Center, risks losing that trust that scientists who become campaigners or supporters of certain policies beyond evidence.” “My concern is that removing musk from the Royal Society is considered a political move.”
other Scientists who have expressed their support for Musk Despite his actions being criticised, Musk claimed he has made a significant contribution to engineering.
Now, the Royal Society argues that “the issues raised regarding individual peers are addressed with strict confidence.” However, some fellows suggest that they should be kept secret based on organizational rules, whether or not they begin an investigation, so the Royal Society should issue an open letter or public statement condemning the attack on science.
Basically, it seems that royal society has to decide and explain where that red line is. Not just theory, but in practice.
Source: www.theguardian.com