Dr. Eric Pianka: sick, mad scientist
But there was a gravely disturbing side to that otherwise scientifically significant meeting, for I watched in amazement as a few hundred members of the Texas Academy of Science rose to their feet and gave a standing ovation to a speech that enthusiastically advocated the elimination of 90 percent of Earth’s population by airborne Ebola. The speech was given by Dr. Eric R. Pianka (Fig. 1), the University of Texas evolutionary ecologist and lizard expert who the Academy named the 2006 Distinguished Texas Scientist.
[...]
One of Pianka’s earliest points was a condemnation of anthropocentrism, or the idea that humankind occupies a privileged position in the Universe. He told a story about how a neighbor asked him what good the lizards are that he studies. He answered, “What good are you?”Pianka hammered his point home by exclaiming, “We’re no better than bacteria!”
I’m just still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that this guy isn’t in a mental institution, rather than a university as a “distinguished scientist” (although I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess).
ScottG says in comments at Misha’s post:
Notice again how it’s an academic who spouts this stuff and not some general. Who’s the dangerous one?
Don’t you kinda wonder if this Pianka guy might be inclined to just take it upon himself to get the plan underway to eliminate the human population?
Tags: science, nutty science, fanatics, nutcases
McGehee says:
“Don’t you kinda wonder if this Pianka guy might be inclined to just take it upon himself to get the plan underway to eliminate the human population?”
Ever read Tom Clancy’s book, Rainbow Six?
Beth says:
No, is it pretty much that, where some deranged “scientist” decides to solve what he thinks are the world’s problems?
chez diva says:
What frightens me more than what Prof. Nutcase said is that he got a standing ovation from his peers. I truly believe that some of these scientists/ researchers don’t live in the same world as you and I do. They are completely out of touch with reality.
Airborne Ebola? That nutbag is advocating an act of terrorism. I hope that the guys in charge of the WOT take note. This jerk should have a first class ticket to Club Gitmo.
gnadfly says:
Did he want “One Milllllion Dollars?”
mech says:
It’s Rainbow Six.
LC Scott says:
university = mental institution
At least for the Professors.
:mrgreen:
moioci says:
This TX news organization contacted Dr. Pianka to hear his side:
http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=4720390
DieGoth says:
Osama Bin Laden is a crybaby compared with this guy!
Philip McNichol says:
It would be best for all if Dr. Eric Pianka
would be the first to set his plan in motion.
This way he would destroy the biggest piece
of bacteria first. Yours truly, Phil
Randy says:
I was there! I heard him! I thought he was a hypocrit in that he was complaining about having neighbors move into his domain and spoiling the ecological system there. But he is living there. He was the first to begin the soiling of his domain.
I guess since he is the award winning all great Dr. Pianka this gives him special privliges mere mortals do not enjoy.