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Another example that being a genius doesn’t cure bigotry: Noble-Laureate James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA double helix, was a racist and a sexist (archive.ph)
submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by Confidant6198@lemmy.ml to c/comradeship@lemmygrad.ml
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Often celebrated as a pioneer of genetics alongside Francis Crick, racist and sexist remarks tarnished his reputation in later years.

Often celebrated as a pioneer of genetics, allegations of uncredited work and discriminatory and inflammatory remarks cast a shadow over his legacy.

He was accused of making racist and sexist observations and was quoted as favoring genetic engineering to do away with "stupidity" and make "all girls pretty."

The scientist's "legacy in regard to eugenics is complex," Lombardo said. Although Watson helped found an ethics office at NIH and condemned state-sponsored eugenics programs that included forced sterilization, his repeated remarks indicating that racism might be genetically justified tarnished his reputation.

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[-] Saymaz@lemmygrad.ml 20 points 6 months ago

Blud wasn't even a genius. He stole it from the real genius, Rosalind Franklin.

[-] Vika@lemmygrad.ml 9 points 6 months ago

Rosalind, Lise Meitner... how many exceptionallly talented women humans have done dirty is mind boggling

[-] Arlaerion@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 6 months ago

Chien-Shiung Wu is another one. Her two male colleagues got the Price, even mentioned her at the ceremony.

[-] amemorablename@lemmygrad.ml 13 points 6 months ago

Is genius even a worthwhile term in the first place? It comes across as in the same space as Great Man Theory to me; putting too much focus on individuals as "exceptional" rather than seeing it more as boiling points being reached out of steadily shifting conditions and contradictions.

[-] Vika@lemmygrad.ml 9 points 6 months ago

This is called Nobel disease or Nobelitis! I didn't invent it. It's an actual term because it's very common! Also remember that Watson and Crick won the nobel but Franklin did not. Most people get to be truly exceptional (if they ever are) at one or two things. Once they get the validation of the nobel prize they forget they are humans and become a living authority fallacy lol

[-] Saymaz@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 6 months ago

Linus Pauling's obsession with Vitamin C.

this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2025
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