Hi Silvia, et al. Four quick thoughts on what lies below:
1. The French should demand the immediate return of the Statue of Liberty. 2. Everyone should use Signal with end-to-end encryption, and disappearing messages, for personal communication. (Just because you are paranoid, it does not mean they aren’t out to get you). https://signal.org/ 3. It is probably time for those who haven’t gone insane to boycott and sanction the US. Although it might sound a bit quaint, for those who still insist upon traveling here, ‘they’ need to produce a search warrant to get into your phone. 4. Navdeep is my hero. Somebody please buy Navdeep a beer for me. Peace and joy, Bill > On Mar 19, 2025, at 8:25 PM, Silvia Onesti <[email protected]> wrote: > > Personal ‘words’ can also get you into trouble… > > https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-french-scientist-detained?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other > > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On 17 Mar 2025, at 12:40, Harry Powell >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Hi folks >> >> At this time, I am reminded of Martin Niemöller’s poem… >> >> Harry >> >>> On 16 Mar 2025, at 10:32, Navdeep Sidhu <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Dear Colleagues, >>> >>> >>> What can one say beyond "Shameless sexism, racism and ableism"? Perhaps >>> this: >>> >>> >>> "To omit or to minimize [the] voices of resistance is to create the idea >>> that power only rests with those who have the guns, who possess the wealth, >>> who own the newspapers and the television stations. I want to point out >>> that people who seem to have no power, whether working people, people of >>> color, or women—once they organize and protest and create movements—have a >>> voice no government can suppress.” >>> -- Howard Zinn, from the Introduction to "Voices of a People’s History of >>> the United States" >>> <https://www.zinnedproject.org/materials/voices-of-a-peoples-history-of-the-united-states/> >>> >>> >>> And this: >>> >>> "Don't mourn. Organize." >>> -- Wobbly songwriter Joe Hill >>> >>> >>> By the way, George Orwell's own introduction to "1984" was successfully >>> suppressed for decades because in it he'd lamented self-censorship in >>> Britain. The Kommissar lives within us too. >>> >>> But there are cultures in which this wasn't so, including aboriginal >>> cultures in North America, who understood the idea of "freedom" better. >>> It's thought they were likely behind the ideas of the European >>> Enlightenment. >>> >>> >>> Diversely, with best wishes, >>> Navdeep >>> Germany >>> >>> >>> --- >>> On 13.03.25 19:24, David J. Schuller wrote: >>>> https://gizmodo.com/we-are-witnessing-a-new-brain-drain-as-scientists-flee-america-for-france-2000575654 >>>> >>>> <https://gizmodo.com/we-are-witnessing-a-new-brain-drain-as-scientists-flee-america-for-france-2000575654> >>>> *‘We Are Witnessing a New Brain Drain’ as Scientists Flee America for >>>> France* >>>> ======================================================================= >>>> All Things Serve the Beam >>>> ======================================================================= >>>> David J. Schuller >>>> modern man in a post-modern world >>>> MacCHESS, Cornell University >>>> [email protected] >>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>>> *From:* CCP4 bulletin board <[email protected]> on behalf of V. >>>> Nagarajan <[email protected]> >>>> *Sent:* Thursday, March 13, 2025 09:43 >>>> *To:* [email protected] <[email protected]> >>>> *Subject:* Re: [ccp4bb] Words to avoid >>>> Here’s an article from ProPublica, explaining how they used AI to search >>>> through some 3,400 research grants called “woke” by Texas senator Ted Cruz: >>>> GettyImages-1097249104.jpg >>>> link.propublica.net >>>> <https://link.propublica.net/view/652e85710205761260069218n7d7l.31ll/c6f60ac7> >>>> <https://link.propublica.net/view/652e85710205761260069218n7d7l.31ll/c6f60ac7> >>>> From the article: ‘Among them: a $470,000 grant to study the evolution of >>>> mint plants and how they spread across continents. As best Philip and Song >>>> could tell, the project was flagged because of two specific words used in >>>> its application to the NSF: “diversify,” referring to the biodiversity of >>>> plants, and “female,” where the application noted how the project would >>>> support a young female scientist on the research team. >>>> Another involved developing a device that could treat severe bleeding. It >>>> included the words “victims” — as in gunshot victims — and “trauma.”‘ >>>> V. Nagarajan >>>>> On Mar 13, 2025, at 5:13 AM, ΕΜΜΑΝΟΥΗΛ ΣΑΡΕΙΔΑΚΗΣ >>>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The problem is not to ensure confidentiality of what one writes. It is to >>>>> ensure that one can write publicly (within some limits, see below) >>>>> without fear. >>>>> >>>>> To go back to the original conversation, I think we have here an example >>>>> of a “pendulum effect”. The onslaught on what cannot be said started on >>>>> the “progressist”, “woke”, “politically correct” side, as explained in >>>>> the article forwarded yesterday on this thread by Bryan Lepore. These >>>>> people were well-meant, on a high moral ground and earnestly dedicated to >>>>> rectifying earlier iniquities. Nevertheless, as often happens with >>>>> well-meant actions, these initiatives quickly degenerated, in this case >>>>> into rather indiscriminate censorship, nonsensical grammar (ungrammatical >>>>> pronouns and the like) and sometimes worse. >>>>> >>>>> Then, the pendulum swung, and the “progressist” bigots were replaced by >>>>> the real ones, who are not on a moral high ground, but are feeding on the >>>>> mistrust and outrage generated by the previous status quo. The real >>>>> bigots are of course many times worse than the ones that became so by >>>>> excessive enthusiasm, and this is what we are seeing now (mostly in the >>>>> US for the moment, but it’s spreading). >>>>> >>>>> So, I think the questions to ask are: is any form of censorship >>>>> acceptable and, if yes, to what extent? My answer to the first question >>>>> is yes: any bigot Right and Left should not be allowed to go around >>>>> spreading lies and victimising people. The US has been in many cases an >>>>> example of too little censorship: it is one of the most tolerant places >>>>> in the West for those who are openly Neonazi for example. The answer to >>>>> the second question must be: censorship should be tolerated to the least >>>>> possible extent, it must be well-vetted, well-justified and liable to >>>>> questioning, challenge and rational revision at all times. Ideally, it >>>>> should also have some rapport with a somewhat objective notion of truth. >>>>> Given the strained relationship of the present US Government with all the >>>>> above concepts, I have little hope. >>>>> >>>>> Emmanuel >>>>> >>>>> Dr. Emmanuel Saridakis >>>>> Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology >>>>> National Centre for Scientific Research "DEMOKRITOS" >>>>> Athens 15341, Greece. >>>>> >>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>>>> *From: *David <[email protected]> >>>>> *To: *CCP4BB <[email protected]> >>>>> *Date: *Thursday, 13 March 2025 12:10 PM EET >>>>> *Subject: *Re: [ccp4bb] Words to avoid >>>>> >>>>> I guess I should remind subscribers that the CCP4BB has a public >>>>> archive, at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=ccp4bb >>>>> <https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=ccp4bb>. >>>>> On a personal note, I always appreciate the courage of those who >>>>> call out the bullshit in the world, and I've enjoyed the eloquent >>>>> messages in this thread (though the content is depressing). >>>>> Best wishes, >>>>> David >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, 12 Mar 2025, 21:04 Katherine Sippel, >>>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> My response was more of a suggestion to make sure these >>>>> types of conversations are held via a personal email where >>>>> "The Man" would require sufficient probable cause for a judge >>>>> to issue a warrant rather than an institutional email that >>>>> does not have such a barrier. That being said, I have had more >>>>> than one work email recently where I asked myself "would you >>>>> want to have to defend this in front of a McCarthy-esque >>>>> congressional inquest" and made a phone call instead. So, >>>>> you're completely right. Thank you for the gut check. >>>>> Cheers, >>>>> Kat >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Mar 12, 2025 at 2:31 PM Artem Evdokimov >>>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> The first thing that happens as freedom of speech dies is >>>>> that diligent self censorship becomes the norm. People >>>>> acquire a Komissar inside their heads. >>>>> >>>>> When I was a kid, my parents had to remind me daily not to >>>>> share with school kids the jokes told at home because >>>>> 'mommy does not want to go to Gulag'. >>>>> >>>>> Word to the wise. >>>>> >>>>> Artem >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 15:21 Katherine Sippel >>>>> <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I love this conversation. It is an important one right >>>>> now that addresses the intersection between the >>>>> precise language needed to communicate science and the >>>>> greater zeitgeist around politicization of vocabulary. >>>>> It will be interesting to see how the etymology of >>>>> scientific language migrates in response to this >>>>> selective pressure. >>>>> However, if you will allow me to put on my tinfoil hat >>>>> for a moment, I feel compelled to remind the faculty >>>>> from publicly funded universities in the US that your >>>>> institutional emails may be subject to Freedom of >>>>> Information Act requests. I was at the University of >>>>> Florida when the Organic Consumers Association decided >>>>> to go after Kevin Folta via US Right to Know, and it >>>>> was nasty. I would not put it past the administration >>>>> to weaponize FOIA requests in the future to root out >>>>> dissent among US academics. Just something to consider >>>>> when engaging in these types of conversations. >>>>> Cheers, >>>>> Kat Sippel, PhD, ELS >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:41 PM Harry Powell >>>>> <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> "_golf_ of America” particularly apt with current >>>>> POTUS… >>>>> >>>>> Harry >>>>> >>>>>> On 12 Mar 2025, at 17:49, Oganesyan, Vaheh >>>>> <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> You never know what is on their minds >>>>> (Musk&Don). Would you guess anything related to >>>>> Greenland before hearing it, or golf of America? >>>>>> >>>>>> Vaheh >>>>>> >>>>>> From: CCP4 bulletin board <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> On Behalf Of Harry >>>>> Powell >>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 1:30 PM >>>>>> To: [email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>>>> Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Words to avoid >>>>>> >>>>>> I don’t thnk that’s why it’s been banned... >>>>>> >>>>>>> On 12 Mar 2025, at 17:09, Ian Tickle >>>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> --------- Forwarded message --------- >>>>>>> From: Ian Tickle <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>>>> Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2025, 14:08 >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Words to avoid >>>>>>> To: Herbert J. Bernstein <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I spell it 'polarisation' anyway (from Late >>>>> Latin 'Stella Polaris' = 'Pole Star'). >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Cheers >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- Ian >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Tue, 11 Mar 2025, 20:00 Herbert J. >>>>> Bernstein, <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>> Dear Colleagues, >>>>>>> When I got home today, Frances presented me >>>>> with an article from the >>>>>>> NY Times which contained the attached list of >>>>> words and the explanation, >>>>>>> "As President Trump seeks to purge the federal >>>>> government of "woke" initiatives, agencies have >>>>> flagged hundreds of words to limit or avoid, >>>>>>> according to a compilation of government >>>>> documents." >>>>>>> For this audience in particular, please note >>>>> that "Mx", "polarization", "orientation", >>>>> "status", "systemic". "discrimination", >>>>> "equality", "expression", "barriers", and "bias" >>>>> are among the words to avoid. Care should be >>>>>>> taken in writing proposals and reports since >>>>> AIs may be used for screening >>>>>>> and they are' likely to miss explanatory context. >>>>>>> Regard, >>>>>>> Herbert >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the >>>>> following link: >>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/WA-JISC.exe?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1 >>>>> <https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/WA-JISC.exe?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the >>>>> following link: >>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/WA-JISC.exe?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1 >>>>> <https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/WA-JISC.exe?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ######################################################################## >>>>>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the >>>>> following link: >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/WA-JISC.exe?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1 >>>>> <https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/WA-JISC.exe?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1> >>>>>> >>>>>> This message was issued to members of >>>>> www.jiscmail.ac.uk/CCP4BB >>>>> <http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/CCP4BB>, a mailing list >>>>> hosted by www.jiscmail.ac.uk >>>>> <http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/>, terms & conditions >>>>> are available at >>>>> https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/ >>>>> <https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/> >>>>>> >>>>>> Confidentiality Notice: This message is private >>>>> and may contain confidential and proprietary >>>>> information. 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