Scientists should not name new species after celebrities in case they fall out of favour or are 'cancelled', an expert has said.
What's he an expert in, creepy-crawlies, or PR?
In recent years, a millipede has been named after Taylor Swift, a moth after Donald Trump and a rubber frog after Sir David Attenborough. But Professor Robert Poulin, from the University of Otago in New Zealand, has said the trend should be avoided as it can lead to 'nomenclatural regret'.
He's an expert in parasitism, apparently, which gave me a chuckle...
What a place. It's clear it drives its students as mad as its professors...
He also lambasted scientists who name new bugs and creatures after their girlfriends, pets, wives, husbands and friends as 'nepotism and cronyism'.
...and, he adds, if you are going to name a creature after a scientist, try to honour women scientists as much as you honour men - as most creatures named after people are named after male.
*sighs*
"try to honour women scientists as much as you honour men"
ReplyDeleteThey never fucking give up, do they?
Otago University is my local University and is always in the news for one thing or another.One of the professors is an epidemiologist who is peddling the "We are all doomed" scene for all he is worth.None of the students listen to him as they party like there is no tomorrow every weekend.
ReplyDeleteSo Joseph Banks and all the old scientists were at fault in naming things after their mates instead of thinking of the sensibilities of the future.
It's not only women scientists who should be included. I understand there is a South American beetle (can't find the link, I'm afraid) which gives off an aroma to deter predators by rubbing its legs together. Perhaps Angela Raynor would feel appreciative?
ReplyDeleteName after women scientists?
ReplyDeleteRight, just make sure to budget for the guaranteed lawsuit and damages, and plan for the destruction of your professional career, personal finances and probably family too, when 'she' (or some other random woman who has never met her, but still decides to take it personally/as an attack against all wymyn) takes offence at it being unattractive/attractive, poisonous/or not, too tall/short, large/small, fat/thin, white/black/wrong colour, have too many/not enough wrong/right associations, ... ad infinitum, it's guaranteed 'something' will give offence.
If any man, or organisation, stepped into that particular well signposted (with multiple bells, whistles and sundry bodies lying around it) minefield, they deserve everything they 'will' get.
"They never fucking give up, do they?"
ReplyDeleteThey are like the Twrminator - relentless.
"Otago University is my local University and is always in the news for one thing or another."
Good grief, so I see!
"Perhaps Angela Raynor would feel appreciative?"
🤣
"...when 'she' (or some other random woman who has never met her, but still decides to take it personally/as an attack against all wymyn) takes offence at it being unattractive/attractive, poisonous/or not, too tall/short, large/small, fat/thin, white/black/wrong colour, have too many/not enough wrong/right associations, ... ad infinitum, it's guaranteed 'something' will give offence."
How very true!