“As an NMR person I create a lot of Mx (magnetization)” >> more X than the X-ray crystallographers, MX-Macromolecular Crystallographers and synchrotron magnetizations here? Sorry, could not resist, despite the trying times..:)
Best, Debanu On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 08:11 Remco Sprangers <remco.sprang...@ur.de> wrote: > Dear all, > > this development is really worrying and sad.....But, before banning whole > words, one should maybe start by banning some letters. In this context I > suggest we all stop using (the letter) X and alike. > > Best, Remco > > p.s. As an NMR person I create a lot of Mx (magnetization), does this make > me suspicious as of now (also outside this mailing list)? > > > On Sun, 16 Mar 2025, Navdeep Sidhu 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 > >> schul...@cornell.edu > >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> *From:* CCP4 bulletin board <CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> on behalf of V. > >> Nagarajan <tato...@gmail.com> > >> *Sent:* Thursday, March 13, 2025 09:43 > >> *To:* CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK <CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> > >> *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 > >>> <000100730073ca33-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk> 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 <dgwater...@gmail.com> > >>> *To: *CCP4BB <CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> > >>> *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, > >>> <katherine.sip...@gmail.com <mailto:katherine.sip...@gmail.com>> > >>> 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 > >>> <artem.evdoki...@gmail.com <mailto:artem.evdoki...@gmail.com>> > >>> 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 > >>> <katherine.sip...@gmail.com > >>> <mailto:katherine.sip...@gmail.com>> 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 > >>> <0000193323b1e616-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk > >>> <mailto:0000193323b1e616-dmarc-requ...@jiscmail.ac.uk>> > > >>> wrote: > >>> > >>> "_golf_ of America” particularly apt with current > >>> POTUS… > >>> > >>> Harry > >>> > >>> > On 12 Mar 2025, at 17:49, Oganesyan, Vaheh > >>> <vaheh.oganes...@astrazeneca.com > >>> <mailto:vaheh.oganes...@astrazeneca.com>> 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 <CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK > >>> <mailto:CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK>> On Behalf Of Harry > >>> Powell > >>> > Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 1:30 PM > >>> > To: CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK > >>> <mailto:CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> > >>> > 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 > >>> <ianj...@gmail.com <mailto:ianj...@gmail.com>> > wrote: > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > > --------- Forwarded message --------- > >>> > > From: Ian Tickle <ianj...@gmail.com > >>> <mailto:ianj...@gmail.com>> > >>> > > Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2025, 14:08 > >>> > > Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Words to avoid > >>> > > To: Herbert J. Bernstein <yaya...@gmail.com > >>> <mailto:yaya...@gmail.com>> > >>> > > > >>> > > I spell it 'polarisation' anyway (from Late > >>> Latin 'Stella Polaris' = 'Pole Star'). > >>> > > > >>> > > Cheers > >>> > > > >>> > > -- Ian > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > > On Tue, 11 Mar 2025, 20:00 Herbert J. > >>> Bernstein, <yaya...@gmail.com > >>> <mailto:yaya...@gmail.com>> 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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Any > >>> unauthorized use or disclosure of the contents of > >>> this message is not permitted and may be unlawful. > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > 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/> > >>> > >>> > >>> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >>> > >>> 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> > >>> > >>> > >>> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >>> > >>> 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> > >> > > > > ######################################################################## > > > > To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the following link: > > 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, a > mailing > > list hosted by www.jiscmail.ac.uk, terms & conditions are available at > > https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/ > > > > ######################################################################## > > To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the following link: > 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, a > mailing list hosted by www.jiscmail.ac.uk, terms & conditions are > available at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/ ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the following link: 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, a mailing list hosted by www.jiscmail.ac.uk, terms & conditions are available at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/
