Talk:David Levy
From Slackerpedia Galactica
I'm not sure where the negative language of the original version of this came from -- David's a nice guy, and well-respected. I'm tempted to take out the references to being French-Canadian entirely.
Is there some reason to describe him as the original writeup did other than anti-Quebecois bias? I don't think I've ever heard David say a word about being Quebecois other than the fact that he was from there.
He lives in Arizona full-time now, so I don't know that it's even an issue...
I wasn't impressed with the original entry either and although Moby Dick's rewrite was a vast improvement I think that trying to make a joke out of someone's ethnicity is probably not in the best taste. Therefore, I've removed the reference.
Matt 10:59, 10 November 2006 (EST)
Shows how much I know. I wasn't aware he was from Canada.-- Kevin 13:22, 10 November 2006 (EST)
I concur. Thank you all so much for catching this.
The Guidelines For Posting say: "Opinions are okay - encouraged, even. But no personal attacks or nasty language." I think this qualifies as personal - although I do think the original author meant it as a joke. I added some more text and a link to the SA interview he gratiously gave us. David is a very nice and smart man and a real asset to astronomy. --Aaron 13:25, 10 November 2006 (EST)
You think I really have a problem with David Levy or any astronomer? The field is anemic enough as it is which is why people, especially in the field, tend to rib each other about something trivial and irrelevant - the nation of their origin. This is especially so between many of the former British countries, such as the U.S. and Canada. I apologize if you misread the joke, but jokes about "The US Canadian War" abound in every field from astronomy to music.
Although has there ever been a racist astronomer to anyone's knowledge?
Taospark 03:24, 23 November 2006 (EST)
As to racist astronomers, I always get a bit angry when I read about Arthur Eddington and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. However, I'm not sure if this was racism or just professional jealousy.
Matt 05:16, 23 November 2006 (EST)
There were similiar rivalries between American paleontologists in the late 19th Century. Fights actually broke out between the respective work crews of their "boss". While not racist, it is a testament to the "Wild West" (literally and geographically) that was science just a century ago.
Taospark 05:21, 23 November 2006 (EST)
I was more concerned with him being described as "rotten French Canadian" than "French Canadian". The owners of the site and some of the participants (including myself) actually know and work with David. Just be civil, please -- funny and civil can co-exist, amazingly enough...
And to Matt, yes there are racist astronomers. Astronomers are human beings so they're subject to the same biases, conceits, and irrationality as everybody else.
--Moby Dick 09:13, 23 November 2006 (EST)
