SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
MIT's Tech newspaper reports on a growing list of MIT faculty who have signed a statement opposing a number of Donald Trump's cabinet appointments and "reaffirming their dedication to 'principles at the core of MIT's mission.'"
The statement denounces discrimination, promotes open communication, and asserts the need to respect the scientific method. Signatories include four out of the ten Nobel Prize winners currently part of the MIT faculty, as well as author Junot Diaz and Affordable Care Act architect Jonathan Gruber. [...]
About 25 percent of MIT faculty have now signed the statement. [The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences], which comprises 17 percent of MIT faculty, represents a disproportionately large percentage of the signatories at about 22 percent. The School of Engineering is underrepresented, with also about 22 percent of signatories, but comprising 37 percent of total faculty. These differences may be a result of the thus far uneven dissemination of the statement across departments.
The MIT statement joins a growing litany of open letters from scientists to the Trump administration, with over 2300 scientists -- including 22 Nobel Prize winners -- signing another statement asking for a "strong and open culture of science" and "adhering to high standards of scientific integrity and independence." A group of female scientists concerned about racism and sexism in science initially aimed for 500 signatures from women scientists, but their list now has grown to over 11,000 worldwide.
The actual MIT statement with list of signatories can be found here. At the time of this submission, it had grown by over 10% since the Tech report was written on Wednesday afternoon and now has over 500 signatures.
[Continues...]
The complete text of the statement reads:
The President-elect has appointed individuals to positions of power who have endorsed racism, misogyny and religious bigotry, and denied the widespread scientific consensus on climate change. Regardless of our political views, these endorsements violate principles at the core of MIT's mission. At this time, it is important to reaffirm the values we hold in common.
We, the undersigned faculty at MIT, thus affirm the following principles:
- We unconditionally reject every form of bigotry, discrimination, hateful rhetoric, and hateful action, whether directed towards one's race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, citizenship, political views, socioeconomic status, veteran status, or immigration status.
- We endorse MIT's values of open, respectful discourse and exchange of ideas from the widest variety of intellectual, religious, class, cultural, and political perspectives.
- We uphold the principles of the scientific method, of fact- and reason-based objective inquiry. Science is not a special interest; it is not optional. Science is a foundational ingredient in how we as a society analyze, understand, and solve the most difficult challenges that we face.
For any member of our community who may feel fear or oppression, our doors are open and we are ready to help. We pledge to work with all members of the community – students, faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and administrators – to defend these principles today and in the times ahead.
I imagine some reactions may be to dismiss this as yet another college appeal for "safe spaces" and "diversity," but from first-hand experience with the MIT community, I can say it's definitely distinct from the average "liberal arts school" environment. When they say "open, respectful discourse and exchange of ideas" from different perspectives, they generally mean it; I've personally seen debates there that would be instantly "shut down" elsewhere. I only wish they had reversed the order of the three bullet points and put science upfront, because that's what really distinguishes their message from many other groups.
More coverage on these letters expressing concern about science in the new administration in the Guardian and the Washington Post.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday December 02 2016, @03:34PM
1) You are a special kind of stupid. Just because they aren't technically in office yet doesn't mean we don't know exactly what they're planning. These appointments are no accident; they're the Dominionists and corporatists setting up the system exactly as they want it. This has been at least 40 years in the making. Learn some fucking history.
2) I personally am not dumb enough to piss in my own gas tank. Many people are, metaphorically, and they seem to be PROUD of it. And they brag about it. A lot. So when someone tells them "that's fucking dumb, don't do that" their "you're not a mechanic, piss off" response is as harmful as it is predictable.
Fool.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @03:39PM
I'm astonished that you think you've provided a rebuttal. Why are you so bad at thinking?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by The Mighty Buzzard on Friday December 02 2016, @03:51PM
Yes, it means precisely that unless you can read minds. I mean, fuck, you're going by reports of what they've said by a media that outright and blatantly hates them. This is less than wise by any stretch of the word.
And there we go demonizing the people who disagree with you. Standard tactic from the regressive left. Do please call me a racist/misogynist/something-phobe next. I mean that is the only approved response in your official playbook.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @04:07PM
For someone who didn't vote for trump you sure get upset when people criticize him. Maybe you're just upset that things look like more of the status quo? Except with a real chance of regressive policies which will roll back civil rights...
(Score: 3, Insightful) by The Mighty Buzzard on Friday December 02 2016, @04:21PM
Oh I'm not upset. I'm quite enjoying this discussion. And if it looks like I'm defending Trump simply because I dislike the bullshit that comes out of the regressive left, that's probably because you're a member and can't conceive of anyone thinking differently than you.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @06:07PM
Then hop out of the conversation, you're just trolling for lulz. You want people to ignore statements of reality, Trump's own words, his cabinet choices, their opinion/stances on policy. Yes the media lies, on both sides, and you need to stop using that as some magic catch-all for your arguments. The media bias isn't even a factor in this current discussion.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @06:03PM
Yes, it means precisely that unless you can read minds. I mean, fuck, you're going by reports of what they've said by a media that outright and blatantly hates them. This is less than wise by any stretch of the word.
If all reporting on these people is untrustworthy why would you trust the reporting on what they actually do?
Once you start in with the lügenpresse, it is turtles all the way down.
The things they've said and done previously aren't made up. Its verifiable from multiple sources going back years, including video. Sometimes from their own websites because they don't think there is anything wrong with their positions.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday December 02 2016, @07:20PM
Believe me, Uzzard, when I call you "a special kind of stupid," this is not an insult so much as a fair description backed up by a couple years' observation. Stick to coding; you're useless at everything else.
You're deflecting here, thinking your tone-policing bullshit is going to shut me down--and the projection, Jesus fuck, you don't seem to get that the "regressives" as you call them are a direct, mirror-image response to what your kind has been doing for decades. Fortunately for you, they suck at it, possibly because most of them at least have good intentions instead of being sociopathic drones.
I am repeating nothing from the media about these people in his cabinet. I have researched them. They are a motley crew of Theonomists, kleptocrats, white supremacists, "race realists," and wealthy elite.
For a guy who didn't vote for Trump or any of his cabinet you are weirdly quick to rush to their defense when someone dares to point out the truth about them.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @08:29PM
For a guy who didn't vote for Trump or any of his cabinet you are weirdly quick to rush to their defense when someone dares to point out the truth about them.
That guy is deeply wedded to his pet theory that Trump will be unable to accomplish anything because "the establishment" abhors him. I've told him multiple times that regardless of how effective Trump is personally, he will end up surrounded by savvy political operators with the worsts intentions, exactly like Manafort. And being so firmly connected to the establishment they will be able to achieve all kinds of destructive goals.
Now that it is exactly what is happening. Buzzer so poorly understands human nature and politics that when easily predicted reality starts to slap him in the face, he's got nothing left but baldfaced denial.
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday December 02 2016, @08:52PM
I really want to hope that's true, tat he's more stupid than evil, but Hanlon's Razor is starting to lose its edge. Stupidity of this kind becomes a sort of secondhand malice.
And that's assuming that he isn't actually the complete trash-fire of a human being I suspect very heavily he is. As they say, when someone shows you what they are, BELIEVE THEM THE FIRST TIME.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 0, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @03:52PM
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA256
You got your car analogy all wrong. Trump's supporters are the gas tank, and Trump is the one doing all the pissing. Let's hope they can catch every drop of that sweet sweet trickle down. ~ Anonymous 0x9932FE2729B1D963
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v2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=R1Hi
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @04:03PM
It's astonishing that you think you've provided a rebuttal. Why are you so terrible at thinking?
(Score: 1, Flamebait) by Runaway1956 on Friday December 02 2016, @04:12PM
At least 40 years in the making - yeah, probably so. On the other side of the street, we have a vast left wing conspiracy that's been in the making for at least 100 years.
Looks like the right wing are better conspirators than the left wing?
(Score: 2) by DECbot on Friday December 02 2016, @05:14PM
Democrat conspiracy, Republican conspiracy, humbug!
This is a long running Whig conspiracy to regain the House.
cats~$ sudo chown -R us /home/base
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @06:34PM
This is a long running Whig conspiracy to regain the House.
Lies! This is all lies! Trump is not a Whig! That is his own hair!! It just looks like an extinct conservative political party.
(Score: 2, Flamebait) by Runaway1956 on Friday December 02 2016, @09:19PM
Some liberal minded person believes that plain facts are properly moderated "flamebait". So - tell me - which of the American parties embraces the idea of abortion, and ridding themselves of "human weeds"? Marge Sanger was a liberal, after all, a feminist, and a racist. Remember that, children!!
(Score: 2) by turgid on Friday December 02 2016, @07:28PM
I'm afraid that's the way the world is going. It's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. Hopefully it won't take the stupid too long to learn their hard lesson.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday December 02 2016, @07:33PM
I gave up on them after this election. I don't care whether they learn it or not, they can all go to hell. Right now my concern is getting the ever-merciful fuck out of Dodge before that "lesson" kills me in the backsplash.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @07:51PM
Have a nice trip, and don't let the screen door hit you in the ass on the way out.
(Score: 1, Redundant) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday December 02 2016, @08:07PM
Laugh while you can, idiot. You and your kind have condemned this nation to a Hell the likes of which you cannot possibly imagine.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 02 2016, @09:39PM
In Indiana, did Trump make United Technologies/Carrier "pay a damn tax" the way he promised?
Nope. The deal he made keeps FEWER THAN HALF of those jobs in the USA and to do that Trump gave Carrier a tax BREAK (with any other concessions to be revealed in the course of time).
Trump, at best, is a bag of hot air.
The only bright spot left is that the Blue minority in the Senate can use the auto-filibuster to make sure that nothing clears the Congress (the way that the Reds in Congress have been doing for 8 years to Obama's Neoliberal proposals).
It is indeed in the Executive Branch that the Trum Administration will do lots of damage.
Trump will cancel Obama's (already timid) executive orders on Day 1.
The 3 Reactionaries that Trump has lined up for the FCC will kill Net Neutrality on Day 1 as well as set-top box rule reforms.
The Interior Department will start rubberstamping oil lease approvals (more fracking) at a furious rate.
OSHA will be completely neutered and workplace safety will plummet even farther.
Yada, yada, yada.
Good luck, USA. You're gonna need it.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 03 2016, @07:48AM
Trump has no chance to win the primary.
Trump has no chance to win the election.
Trump is going to lose to Hillary in a landslide.
Trump is going to cause a stock market crash when he wins.
Don't you arrogant fucking losers ever get tired of being wrong? Ever?
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday December 03 2016, @08:32PM
Hey, dumbfuck: I was one of the people who was telling others not to get complacent. Trump's win is a bad idea whose time has come, much like, and for much the same reasons as, the Third Reich.
And if you think this win is a good thing for you and yours...well, give it a couple of years. If you're somehow still alive you'll envy the dead.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...