Category Archives: Ethics

Dishonesty About Cheating

Posted on January 2, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

Jessica Lahey, at the Atlantic, posts this letter from a serial cheater (boldface mine): I cheated all throughout high school. Not only that, but I graduated as a valedictorian, National AP Scholar, Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, and I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics | 2 Comments

Just Because You’re Paranoid Doesn’t Mean the TSA Isn’t After You

Posted on October 23, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

A while ago, after yet another outrage by the TSA, I wrote (boldface added): But the real question is why did no one else do anything to stop it. Why did no one say anything? I’m sure some people just … Continue reading →

Posted in Basic Human Decency, Civil Liberties, Ethics | 1 Comment

The Test For Some Important Lessons Is One Hopefully You Never Have to Take

Posted on October 19, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Yesterday, I wrote about the insane New York policy of high-stakes testing for kindergarten students. While the harm inflicted on the students is not funny at all, this bit did amuse me (boldface mine): Teachers said kindergartners are bewildered. “Sharing … Continue reading →

Posted in Basic Human Decency, Education, Ethics | 1 Comment

Scientific Fraud: Same As It Ever Was

Posted on May 8, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

From our far-flung network of correspondents, we come across this NYT Magazine article about scientific fraud. While the whole article is worth a read, a couple sections are noteworthy: But while the system rewards priority of discovery, it penalizes with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness, Ethics | 3 Comments

Purchasing Pundits: The Ezra Klein Edition?

Posted on April 11, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

So this came across the Twitterz recently: How much is the insurance industry paying Ezra Klein? http://t.co/KmSQSGQ5ON Probably $15,000-$25,000 http://t.co/9trhSfjKOc — Jamison Foser (@jamisonfoser) April 9, 2013 If you don’t follow the links, Washington Post policy blogger Ezra Klein is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness, Ethics, Healthcare, News Media, Progressives, Public Speaking | Comments Off on Purchasing Pundits: The Ezra Klein Edition?

Quote of the Day: Concentrating the Mind

Posted on March 22, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Charles Pierce: The eagerness of smart young people to join in the circle jerk back in 2002 and 2003 was one of the more disillusioning aspects of the whole business — and not a bad argument for reinstating the military … Continue reading →

Posted in Basic Human Decency, Ethics, Fucking Morons, Iraq | 2 Comments

The Overproduction of PhDs and the NIH’s Failure of Governance

Posted on February 7, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Last week, I briefly mentioned that the overproduction of PhDs is a failure of governance. As the whole issue of the PhD glut has spread around the intertoobz, one of the points I’ve seen raised in comments sections is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Funding, NIH | 2 Comments

If Any PI or IRB Approved This Protocol, They Would Be in Jail

Posted on November 27, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

I’m guessing I wouldn’t be able to get away with this–nor would I want to (boldface mine): Over the past decade, the EPA has apparently been paying hundreds of people $12 an hour for the privilege of exposing them to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Public Health | 3 Comments

The Republican Party Is Not Full of Racists: It Just Panders to Them

Posted on October 29, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

And the distinction is very important. Noah Smith recently fired this over the Twitters: Well, WE HAZ DATAZ. And we like sharing. According to a poll by the AP, the Republican Party does contain more racists, but that’s damning with … Continue reading →

Posted in Basic Human Decency, Conservatives, Democrats, Ethics, Racism | 5 Comments

Healthcare and the Lesser of Two Evils

Posted on October 24, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

With Election Day drawing nigh, there is the predictable patter of blogposts from some on the Left arguing that the only ethical choice is to not vote for Obama (it goes without saying that they’re not considering voting for Romney). … Continue reading →

Posted in Democrats, Ethics, Healthcare | 4 Comments