A while ago, I got an email from a science aggregator offering me a chance to crosspost for…free. To paraphrase the wisdom of the philosopher Tone Loc, I get paid to do the blog thing (actually, that’s not the case anymore. I pay $30/year to keep ads off the site. But I yoostabee paid!). Anyway, after looking at the aggregation site, I decided not to join, in part due to copyright issues, so I ignored the email.

Unlike the Mad Biologist, science blogger DNLee listened to those who taught her manners and attempted to have a civil correspondence with said aggregator. You might guess it didn’t go well.

Since I occasionally like to use my superpowers for good (and for free, no less), I’m going to turn the blog over to DNLee, and then have some comments at the end. Onwards comrades….

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wachemshe hao hao kwangu mtapoa

I got this wrap cloth from Tanzania. It’s a khanga. It was the first khanga I purchased while I was in Africa for my nearly 3 month stay for field research last year. Everyone giggled when they saw me wear it and then gave a nod to suggest, “Well, okay”. I later learned that it translates to “Give trouble to others, but not me”. I laughed, thinking how appropriate it was. I was never a trouble-starter as a kid and I’m no fan of drama, but I always took this 21st century ghetto proverb most seriously:

Don’t start none. Won’t be none.

For those not familiar with inner city anthropology – it is simply a variation of the Golden Rule. Be nice and respectful to me and I will do the same. Everyone doesn’t live by the Golden Rule it seems. (Click to embiggen.)

The Blog editor of Biology-Online dot org asked me if I would like to blog for them. I asked the conditions. He explained. I said no. He then called me out of my name.

My initial reaction was not civil, I can assure you. I’m far from rah-rah, but the inner South Memphis in me was spoiling for a fight after this unprovoked insult. I felt like Hollywood Cole, pulling my A-line T-shirt off over my head, walking wide leg from corner to corner yelling, “Aww hell nawl!” In my gut I felt so passionately:”Ofek, don’t let me catch you on these streets, homie!”

This is my official response:

It wasn’t just that he called me a whore – he juxtaposed it against my professional being: Are you urban scientist or an urban whore? Completely dismissing me as a scientist, a science communicator (whom he sought for my particular expertise), and someone who could offer something meaningful to his brand.What? Now, I’m so immoral and wrong to inquire about compensation? Plus, it was obvious me that I was supposed to be honored by the request..

After all, Dr. Important Person does it for free so what’s my problem? Listen, I ain’t him and he ain’t me. Folks have reasons – finances, time, energy, aligned missions, whatever – for doing or not doing things. Seriously, all anger aside…this rationalization of working for free and you’ll get exposure is wrong-headed. This is work. I am a professional. Professionals get paid. End of story. Even if I decide to do it pro bono (because I support your mission or I know you, whatevs) – it is still worth something. I’m simply choosing to waive that fee. But the fact is I told ol’ boy No; and he got all up in his feelings. So, go sit on a soft internet cushion, Ofek, ’cause you are obviously all butt-hurt over my rejection. And take heed of the advice on my khanga.

You don’t want none of this

Thanks to everyone who helped me focus my righteous anger on these less-celebrated equines. I appreciate your support, words of encouragement, and offers to ride down on his *$$.

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Mad Biologist here. If you want to know what the term ‘privilege’ means, read no further than that email exchange. Had I bothered to respond as DNLee did–expecting that if someone else makes money from my writing, that I should be compensated too (CURSE YE, WHORE OF BABYLON!)–I doubt I would have been called an urban whore.

Another thing that bothers me is the idea that scientists are supposed to give everything away. We already are expected to devalue our labor–name one scientist who works to rule based on the hours specified in a grant–we are the worst federal contractors EVAH! (though I’m sure Halliburton works off the clock too. STOP LAUGHING! STOP LAUGHING NOW!). If someone is making money off your writing, you should too.

Note to aggregators: insulting the talent is not a good business model.

Update: Scientific American apparently censored DNLee about this–the aggregator has ties with Scientific American. I feel like having a Pepsi.