Whites smarter than Blacks. Really?

[theosai]

I am very disappointed in Dr. Watson, a figure revered by some of us when we were studying biology in Cuba back in the day. This is the same guy of "Watson and Crick" fame, the guys who first described the double-helix structure of DNA.

Dr. Watson has been controversial in the past and is senile now, but that is absolutely no excuse for his utterances about race (October 2007).

I think Dr. Watson has drowned in his past laurels and forgotten about the basic effects of the environment on gene expression. I dare him to travel back in time and be brought up by a single mum on the mean streets of Bedford Stuy or South Central LA. I dare him say his chances of discovering the structure of DNA would have been the same.

The scientific community ought to have strongly condemn such baseless, non-scientific pronouncements and even strip him of his Nobel Prize.

Read his comments and let's discuss:

The elementary DNA of Dr Watson
History will remember James Watson for the discovery of the double helix. But his pronouncements are often highly controversial. His former protegee examines the complex legacy of a Nobel laureate

Charlotte Hunt-Grubbe
The names Watson and Crick, it has been said, have “joined Darwin and Copernicus among the immortals”. The pair’s discovery of the structure of DNA, in 1953, has been hailed by fellow Nobel laureates as the greatest single scientific achievement of the 20th century. Today the only one remaining of the two, Dr James Watson, 79, stands alone as “the godfather of DNA”...

He says that he is “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” because “all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours – whereas all the testing says not really”, and I know that this “hot potato” is going to be difficult to address. His hope is that everyone is equal, but he counters that “people who have to deal with black employees find this not true”. He says that you should not discriminate on the basis of colour, because “there are many people of colour who are very talented, but don’t promote them when they haven’t succeeded at the lower level”. He writes that “there is no firm reason to anticipate that the intellectual capacities of peoples geographically separated in their evolution should prove to have evolved identically. Our wanting to reserve equal powers of reason as some universal heritage of humanity will not be enough to make it so”.

When asked how long it might take for the key genes in affecting differences in human intelligence to be found, his “back-of-the-envelope answer” is 15 years. However, he wonders if even 10 years will pass. In his mission to make children more DNA-literate, the geneticist explains that he has opened a DNA learning centre on the borders of Harlem in New York. He is also recruiting minorities at the lab and, he tells me, has just accepted a black girl “but,” he comments, “there’s no one to recruit.”

Watson will no doubt enthusiastically counter the inevitable criticisms that will arise. He once commented to a fellow scientist – perhaps optimistically – that “the time was surely not far off when academia would have no choice but to hand political correctness back to the politicians”. Even after a year at the lab, I am still unnerved by his devil-may-care compulsion to say what he believes. Critics may see his acceptance of “softer-science” studies – that attempt to link IQ with specific genes, but remove society and other factors from the equation – as a dangerously flippant approach to a complex issue. His comments, however, although seemingly unguarded, are always calculated. Not maliciously, but with the mischievous air of a great mind hoping to be challenged. I ask him how he placates those he offends. “I try to use humour or whatever I can to indicate that I understand other people having other views,” he explains.

As I motor back to New York, I reflect on a man who – at nearly 80 – is, and will remain, an immensely powerful and revered force in science. I wonder whether it’s possible, as his desire to shock seems so strong, that a fear of boring people really does play on his mind. Perhaps the best description of the man is from the driver. “Dr Watson’s so kind and still very young at heart,” he drawls as we leave the campus behind. “He’s got a lot of curiosity about everything and he’s always working. But to him it isn’t work: it’s a challenge to the mind. And if he runs into a problem, it’s fun time.”

Avoid Boring People by James D Watson (Oxford University Press, £14.99) is published on October 22. It is available at the BooksFirst price of £13.49, including postage and packing. Tel: 0870 165 8585

Dr Watson’s tips for success

- Always make necessary decisions before you have to

- Be the first to tell a good story

- Don’t back schemes that demand miracles

- Never be the brightest person in the room

- Only ask for advice that you will later accept

Full version here:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle2630748.ece

[sally]

Hello Theo,
The heading of the article alone nearly made me fall off my seat! After reading the whole thing however, I realised that in a way Slavery has never been abolished. Dr Watson's comments are definetly echoing powerful peoples thoughts. No comments have been made about this the way Sharon Stone's remark about China has caused outrage.
I am not saying it is in the same category but it ranks high up there enough to merit mention in International headlines. This obviously senile genius (and I hesitate in using the term senile because it could be just an excuse if possible) knows exactly how many steps backward his comment is causing and does not even care. Afterall, he is a Nobel prize laureate and a Genius of the 20th century and one of the few great men alive!!!
I say when people who are so highly revered make outrageous remarks like he has he should be made accountable just like all the politicians and big celebs do and when found wanting stripped of any accolades that might have given them this seemingly righteous attitude over all other human beings.
I am seriously beginning to wonder about the Nobel Prize and some of its winners.
Oh I am so mad!!!

[theosai]

Sally,

To me, he caused irreversible damage to his reputation and image. Back-pedaling is of no use in such sensitive matters. Then again, his justification for some of his comments are outright belittling and disrespectful.

There was a (rather subdued) backlash and he was punished (a bit) but like you said, the publicity was not nearly as much as it should have been.

http://www.theroot.com/id/46667?GT1=38002

Video here:

http://www.theroot.com/id/46685

[aporeigah]

Publicity came out of Sharon Stone's comment bcos the Chinese took serious actions that was worth mentioning. Just like the revolt of the Muslims when Mouhammed was depicted in a Cartoon. However, I don't think any African leader has even heard of Dr. Watson's comment(maybe they don't read) and even if they've heard about it, I don't think it bothers them. If Africa would take a harsh action like a boycott or trade sanctions, then it will become a headline and we will begin to be taken serious and by that we prove that we are not inferior.
If we are Inslaved, Colonized, Neocolonized, instigated to kill ourselves, overthrow our own progressive leaders, bribed to take-in their toxic waste, make them our bosses in our countries while we clean their toilettes in their countries then what else do we expect them to think of us? I am sadden by all these too!

[FABIOFABELO]

Pathetic is all I can say.

[theon]

Call me what you want, but as repulsive as what he said may be, what really have we to show for?Just take a look at the nonesense going on on our continent.the truth sometimes is painful.aren't we the cause of some these stupid comments we wake up to hear day in day out?though his comment might not be entirely true, i sincerely think our actions (especially our leaders) are what make some of these delusional intellectuals pass such silly remarks!