[Taxacom] Dishonorable people as species names

[Richard Jensen]

It appears that Michael reads everything literally and any departure from
his literal reading is open to question.  When I read Geoff's e-mail, I
believe I understood what he meant (Geoff will correct me if I am wrong):
the use of the names of dishonorable people (however defined) may influence
how people view taxonomists and, what's more important, taxonomic practice,
which we believe falls within the realm of science.  Negative attitudes may
influence a wide variety of decisions that impact the practice of taxonomy,
such as funding requests, work priorities, social interactions, tenure
decisions and more.

Michael's argument may have merit, but I suggest that names are more than
mere meaningless, inactive nouns that can do no harm.  If this premise were
true, then referring to someone as "Hitler" would do no harm.  Or, am I
reading Michael's comments too literally?

Cheers,

Dick


On Mon, Nov 11, 2019 at 9:41 PM Ivie, Michael via Taxacom <
taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu> wrote:

> Jeez, really? Use English much? A name is a noun.  As it is not a verb, it
> has no action.  A name can do nothing.  Further, Science is a process.
> Detriment is harm. I’m not sure you can harm science.  All the things I can
> think of harm something other than science specifically.
>
> __________________________________________________
> Michael A. Ivie, Ph.D., F.R.E.S.
>
> NOTE: two addresses with different Zip Codes depending on carriers
>
> US Post Office Address:
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>
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>
> ________________________________
> From: John Grehan <calabar.john at gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, November 11, 2019 7:11:17 PM
> To: Geoffrey Read <gread at actrix.gen.nz>
> Cc: Ivie, Michael <mivie at montana.edu>; taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu <
> taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Taxacom] Dishonorable people as species names
>
> Mike - since you defied Geoff to defend his statement perhaps you could
> present a defense of  your statement that "names do not contribute to nor
> act to the detriment of science". (I have no firm opinion either way, just
> interested to see the defense).
>
> John Grehan
>
> On Mon, Nov 11, 2019 at 5:07 PM Geoff Read via Taxacom <
> taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu<mailto:taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu>> wrote:
> Selective quoting Michael.
>
> The phrase was "and see the subsequent sniggering in the press, to the
> detriment of any science"  The sniggering at the silliness of the
> association of the famous person with the creature/plant being detrimental
> to public appreciation and possible evaluation of the worth of the science
> in the article. In my opinion. But maybe if you're keen on getting any
> attention you do it anyway.
>
> Geoff Read
>
>
> On Mon, November 11, 2019 8:11 pm, Ivie, Michael via Taxacom wrote:
> > I defy you to defend this statement:
> >
> > On 11/11/2019 12:03 AM, Geoff Read via Taxacom wrote:
> >> to the detriment of any science.
> >
> > Naming isn't science, and names do not contribute to nor act to the
> > detriment of science. Get real.  Don't try to defend your position with
> > such absurdities.
> >
> > Stick to reality -- you don't like it, you think it is undignified, or
> > whatever, but "to the detriment of any science?" Pure hyperbole.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> > --
> > __________________________________________________
> >
> > Michael A. Ivie, Ph.D., F.R.E.S.
>
>
> --
> Geoffrey B. Read, Ph.D.
> Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
> gread at actrix.gen.nz<mailto:gread at actrix.gen.nz>
>
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-- 
Richard Jensen, Professor Emeritus
Department of Biology
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556