Racism, misogyny prompt American Ornithological Society renaming of birds : science

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You can find a list on https://birdnamesforbirds.wordpress.com/historical-profiles/bios-by-region/ if you're interested.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Yet often it was his own stubborn and uncompromising nature that defined his life – his choices paint a picture of a man who was unable to heed the words of others. This undendinly antagonistic nature cost him friends, honours and ultimately put him into the dark role of colonialist.

He was "stubborn and uncompromising", which makes him "antagonistic", therefore a colonialist and racist. That's a pretty low bar. I don't think it makes sense to define racism in a way that makes all 19th century naturalists racist.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

You could have also picked the dude that desecrated indigenous graves to do phrenology.

Edit: Jesus Christ you left out that this dude was a literal colonizer in New Zealand. He was an officer in a militia during the New Zealand Wars.

He was also a committee member of The New Zealand Company, which existed to systemically colonize New Zealand.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_John_Swainson#New_Zealand_estate

So maybe it is slightly misleading to say he was labeled racist for being “antagonistic”??

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

Admittedly, I only checked this one article. I think it's hard to judge how evil he really was. Either way, not a hill I'm going to die on.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

This is a terrible source, as is Lemmy tradition.

Here's a better source I really wish that op would have been better about that. It's linked in the article they linked.

It appears that they are concerned with the tradition that the first person that scientifically describes the species gets to name it.

And, well, those people have been white.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Seems like stupid rationale IMO.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Do you think artists should be able to name their works?

Why shouldn't scientists also be able to name their works?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That's exactly what I'm saying. They should be able to.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 2 years ago

It's hard to communicate with pithy texts only. I misunderstood.

I agree that the renaming effort is an over reaction trying to be more DEI for no apparent benefit.

[+] [email protected] -24 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That's why people should be concerned. There's likely an ulterior motive here.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Lol, what? What exactly is concerning about renaming birds to be more descriptive?

Not everything is a conspiracy, my guy.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

First, they rename birds.

And then, they'll make all of our kids gay trans Korean lizard people!!!!

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