text: The Post Whatever Thread | Page 5 | Sciforums
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  Hmm, I didn't know all that, certainly.
  However I don't think you can include sexist comments made in 1968 as evidence of much. The whole western world was unbeliveably sexist by modern standards in that era. Just watch any film from that period.
  Hmm. Well here's what he wrote about Rosalind Franklin. Judge for yourself.
  "By choice she did not emphasize her feminine qualities. . . . There was never lipstick to contrast with her straight black hair, while at the age of thirty-one her dresses showed all the imagination of English blue-stocking adolescents. So it was quite easy to imagine her the product of an unsatisfied mother who unduly stressed the desirability of professional careers that could save bright girls from marriages to dull men. . . . Clearly Rosy had to go or be put in her place. The former was obviously preferable because, given her belligerent moods, it would be very difficult for Maurice [Wilkins] to maintain a dominant position that would allow him to think unhindered about DNA. . . . The thought could not be avoided that the best home for a feminist was in another person's lab."
  Watson was incredibly lucky (and not entirely ethical) in getting a glimpse of Franklin's x-ray data on DNA. Without that, it seems likely that Franklin herself might have discovered the structure of DNA on her own in the next few weeks.
  She was poorly treated by both Watson and Crick, in terms of giving credit where it was due.
  The comments from 1997 onward seem to me more troubling. Goes to show that heroes in science can be total gits in other respects, just like anyone else.
  I am no expert on Watson, but my own impression is that he was not the main driver of the DNA research; Crick was far more significant. And Watson was no match for Franklin in terms of dotting I's and crossing T's (i.e. doing careful, methodical research).
  For more on Franklin's contributions, and the whole DNA discovery story, here's a reasonable place to start:
  https://www.strangescience.net/rfranklin.htm
  James R, Feb 14, 2019
  From the link in the post above:
  Reflecting on the DNA research of the early 1950s, science historian Philip Ball criticizes Franklin's risk aversion while completely understanding it.
  "Watson, Crick and Pauling felt confident enough to foul up. All three committed howlers in trying to get the prize — Pauling's triple helix, published in early 1953, contained elementary errors. . . . For a scientist to thrive, there must be the freedom to fail. In Franklin's time, it is not surprising that a female scientist would think that she could ill afford that luxury. I am not at all sure that even a young Watson and Crick today could so freely take the risks they did."​
  See was poorly treated by both Watson and Crick, in terms of giving credit where it was due.
  How very unpleasant, even for 1968. One senses the presence of a rather Trump-like ego.
  exchemist, Feb 14, 2019
  serenesam, Feb 25, 2019
  Could Obama actually be a Dominant Fe in terms of MBTI?
  serenesam, Mar 10, 2019
  Gawdzilla Sama, Mar 10, 2019
  I have a vegetarian propaganda sign to hang in the kitchen, sez "RATATOUILLE MON AMOUR"
  And a flock of wild turkeys shitting all over my driveway.
  A plastic cup won't fill up, but a china one will.
  Jeeves, Mar 10, 2019
  serenesam, Mar 11, 2019
  serenesam, Mar 13, 2019
  serenesam, Mar 14, 2019
  Yes, in terms of Spiritualism or New Age, I'm most certainly an INFP.
  serenesam, Mar 19, 2019
  Back in 2017 I started a thread about religion and at one point I eventually found myself posting anxiously and repetitively about my ancestry. I apologize for that. I was experiencing confusion and anxiety over my ancestry and identity back then. Thanks!
  mmatt9876, Apr 29, 2019
  Game of Thrones is epic. No spoilers, but if you're not caught up yet with this season...make it a priority!
  wegs, Apr 29, 2019
  wow ! thats really top class propaganda
  quiet and smiling were the nazis gently helping the jews into the gas chambers
  RainbowSingularity, Apr 29, 2019
  civil rights act of 1964(& pretending civil rights are a proxy skin colour non discrimination legal constitutional law) is more important than modern non gender discrimination laws ?
  pretending not to be racist by attempting to pander to rich ultra conservative asian Christians
  what type of radical extremists are these ?
  I just wanted to share that I like this forum and I am grateful for it and the community. One last time I wanted to express that I am sorry for anything stupid I have said here in the past.
  mmatt9876, Apr 30, 2019
  I'm grateful, too. I lost touch with this site but lurked here and there. Not sure what inspired me to return, but glad I did. It's nice to see some familiar names, and the site still running.
  wegs, Apr 30, 2019
  RainbowSingularity and mmatt9876 like this.
  It is great to hear that you have decided to return to the forum. It is always fun to learn something new and share your knowledge.