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April 14, 2005
Meet the beetles! (A taxing argument for traditional values?)
An email from a friend directed me to some vital science news. It appears that two scientists have named slime mold beetles for Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld! The following comes from the text forwarded to me without a link: Slime-Mold Beetles Named for PoliticiansIntrigued by this, my immediate reaction was to put up a blog post, but I like to verify facts before I run around repeating possible Internet rumors and urban legends. Sure enough, I found a scientific abstract listing the above species! A dirty left wing trick, you say? Not so fast. Here's the BBC: Two US scientists have paid tribute to their favourite politicians by naming three species of beetle after them.The contention that these men were "conservative scientists" intrigued me even more, as I'm used to seeing creative uses of political terminology, and I've been known to do so myself. According to science-oriented blogger John Daly, Quentin Wheeler has (along with the controversial E.O. Wilson) in fact co-authored an important argument for "traditional taxonomy": ... traditional taxonomy has been downsized in favor of molecular techniques, and as a result we are running out of knowledge with which to properly interpret the DNA data. They call for a new synthesis of traditional, molecular and ICT based approaches.Mr. Daly thinks that President Bush should be paying more attention to traditional taxonomy, which he argues is more important than the space program. Certainly, insect naming is one way to direct the Bush administration's attention to long-neglected traditional taxonomic values. Sure sounds conservative to me! (But then, I've been fooled before....) As to Dr. Wheeler's beetles, I have to admit, they all look the same. Didn't Spiro Agnew say something like, "When you've seen one, you've seen 'em all?" posted by Eric on 04.14.05 at 01:45 PM
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» But...It's a BEETLE, For All Love! from Tributaries
Which it ain't no testudo aubreii, either. I am pausing in the obvious rant/wail/confession/vomit of my past to bring to you something that Classical Values posted : a peculiar honor ... [Read More] Tracked on April 15, 2005 01:29 AM
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Since the Linnean system of taxonomy is under review and probably will be scrapped in favor of something more straighforward, this bit of tomfoolery is pretty meaningless and the way to grab a headline or two. Go get 'em boys! Sarah · April 14, 2005 07:35 PM Testudo aubreii!! Yep...I am no big head in the field of science....just a mere strapling who checks it out every now and again, but I do seem to remember that amongst scientists, to name ANY creature/plant after a friend was considered the highest form of honor. If you have read any of the O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin series, you know that Maturin was always on the lookout for unique beetles for a friend and 'spy supervisor' (so to speak) who specialized and loved studying beetles. Just gabbing... Sharon Ferguson · April 14, 2005 11:24 PM You all need to stop and realize that there are thousands and thousands of species out there. It is not that easy coming up with names. Did YOU go to college for years and years to earn the right to name newly discovered beetles? I don't think so. They have every right to have fun while doing so. I can assure you, this was NOT a way to "grab the headlines". I'm sure that you would name a new species that you discovered after someone that you admire. Why can't they? Before you know all the details, don't go criticizing their actions. If I were you, I would also take a closer look at those beetles. They look nothing alike. Anonymous · April 30, 2005 01:30 PM |
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Actually, I always consider naming bugs to be a sign of respect. This page lists all of the famous people names that scientists have used; new species don't come along often enough for scientists to use up naming rights on petty hates.