Litigation's a fear. Another's the inevitable targeting from M*sk and his army of trolls, bots and bad actors. This shouldn't prevent action. It's a timely reminder that the slower we act, the more power abusers get. There'll always be a backlash, whenever the response. So act firmly - and fast. - ThreadSky

petraboynton.bsky.social • 2 days ago

Litigation's a fear. Another's the inevitable targeting from M*sk and his army of trolls, bots and bad actors.

This shouldn't prevent action.

It's a timely reminder that the slower we act, the more power abusers get.

There'll always be a backlash, whenever the response. So act firmly - and fast.

Reposted from Research Professional News

Royal Society ‘afraid of litigation if it expels Musk’.

Leadership urged to show “courage” at key meeting to discuss billionaire’s fellowship.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...

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petraboynton.bsky.social•2 days ago

Fear of EOs and potential litigation in the US has made people comply in advance. Fear of threats is understandable but shouldn't prevent action. Let him litigate. Force him to defend his horrific actions. Put him under pressure.

We push back together and we push back hard.

petraboynton.bsky.social•2 days ago

I don't think the RS has handled this situation well. They're following familiar scripts in academia when faced with threats, having cosied up to power.

There will be a backlash. So if we want M*sk ousted, we should support the RS.

I hope they've made safety provisions and taken legal advice too.

petraboynton.bsky.social•2 days ago

We constantly - and correctly - challenge bullying, abuse and other misconduct in academia. But it's not unusual when an organisation does act people argue over how bad/slow they were to respond.

Not unreasonable, but when an abuser needs removing, firmly back that process. THEN unpick the past.

petraboynton.bsky.social•2 days ago

It's a clear example of something that happens regularly in academia. Abusers thrive on passivity. By the time action's well overdue abusers are harder to dislodge and victims, members and others so frustrated and mistrusting they're more likely to attack the organisation then support an ousting.

petraboynton.bsky.social•2 days ago

This is why abusers stay in post, because those who could remove them don't until it's too late and at that point victims may have left or the will to remove the abuser is less than the desire to punish the organisation. The organisation and the abuser are intertwined, much to the abuser's advantage

petraboynton.bsky.social•2 days ago

Many things can be true at once:
The RS ignored advice, acted too slow, appear weak
They and others derailed this into a faux 'free speech' debate
People are rightly annoyed
M*sk will use all this to his advantage in his inevitable attack

One goal is clear. Push and support the RS to remove M*sk.

dialivia.bsky.social•2 days ago

Godsdammnit, we need courage!

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