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Is the British Royal Society about to Boot Elon Musk from its Membership? [1]
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Date: 2025-03-02
Here’s an interesting story in the Independent about how the world’s “oldest continuously existing scientific academy in the world’,” the British Royal Society, is meeting tomorrow to discuss whether Elon Musk (who was elected to the Society’s Fellowship back in 2018) has actually broken their code of ethics. This is in response to an open letter from Stephen Curry, Emeritus Professor of structural biology at Imperial College London, and signed by 2,400 people (including a number of Nobel Prize winners)
Ahead of Monday’s meeting, Professor Curry said that scientific integrity, as well as adherence and respect for evidence and truth, are central to the code.
He added: “This is not about policing political views, this is not about enforcing some kind of political conformity.
“I think the main charges that are troubling to many people is that Elon Musk has not shown respect for evidence.
“He’s widely reported to be one of the most active disseminators of misinformation on Twitter and that’s not something that is consistent with the code of conduct.”
The structural biologist said “fellowship is an honour” predicated on following the code, and fellows are responsible for exemplifying “the very highest ideals and standards of behaviour” expected of all scientists.
“In that respect it seems to me, and it seems to everybody who has signed the letter, that Mr Musk has deviated from that standard in a very serious way”, he added.
…
On Tuesday, the Royal Society released a statement headed “science under threat” that Professor Curry said addresses some concerns he raised.
It does not name Mr Musk but the professor said it was “a step in the right direction” and he was pleased to see it.
The statement said: “Ideological agendas are being used to suppress research, threaten academic freedom and to cut funding.
“Scientific evidence and those who advocate for it are under attack by those who wish to undermine rational debate.
“Platforms that should facilitate open, transparent debate are giving free rein to harmful misinformation and ideological attacks on people and ideas.
“The Royal Society will use its voice and the expertise of our fellows to resist the various challenges to science.”
It added that the academy “stands for equality, diversity and inclusion.”
Professor Curry told PA [news agency] that he does not believe the Royal Society will reach a decision about Mr Musk on Monday.
But people need “a clear account” of the academy’s options and whether it is satisfied that Mr Musk did not breach the code, he said.
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