12 January 2019: The decline of mental inhibition

The New York Times recently published an article about the acclaimed scientist, James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA, and his bizarre thoughts about differences in IQ between ethnic groups, click here. The article can best be summed up by the statement of Dr. Michael Wigler, a scientist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, which revoked some of the honors it had bestowed upon Dr. Watson:

It is not news when a ninety year old man who has lost cognitive inhibition, and has drifted that way for decades as he aged, speaks from his present mind,” Dr. Wigler wrote in an email. “It is not a moment for reflection. It is merely a peek into a corner of this nation’s subconscious, and a strong whiff of its not-well-shrouded past secrets.”

Detroiters may recall a similar situation when veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas started spouting anti-Semitic views, click here. Wayne State University ultimately revoked an award in her name, click here.

I suggest that family and friends of public figures need to protect their legacy by keeping them away from situations that will be harmful. All of us have evil thoughts, but our intact intellect keeps us from making them public. But when we lose that inhibition under the influence of  alcohol or when suffering from dementia or other mental decline, it is not surprising that we will say terrible things. Of course, this is true for those who are not public figures, but their friends and family know their true nature, and that this is part of their condition.

In addition, I suggest that the awards should not be revoked. These individuals did great things, and their statements, although terrible, were made when their minds were damaged. We should not hold that against them.

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