If and when the hit piece on Prof. Quimron comes out, I wonder if it will include the but-look-he’s-LAST-author-on-most-of-his-pubs smear like they did with Judy Mikovits? I think I sustained minor injuries from rolling on the floor laughing so hard when I heard Judy mention that in an interview.
If and when the hit piece on Prof. Quimron comes out, I wonder if it will include the but-look-he’s-LAST-author-on-most-of-his-pubs smear like they did with Judy Mikovits? I think I sustained minor injuries from rolling on the floor laughing so hard when I heard Judy mention that in an interview.
This kind of smear tactic is a good indication of how low those committed to protecting the narrative are willing to stoop. The narrative protectors know that few people outside of scientific research understand that ‘last author’ is a highly valued ‘position’ in the author line-up of a research paper. And why would they know such a trivial and, frankly, somewhat embarrassing little factoid that outside of these bizarre times would be totally irrelevant to them? (Embarrassing because academics and other researchers fight and squabble over such on a regular basis…) So most people don’t know that being ‘last author’ indicates that you led the research, that is, you were the brains of the operation. In fact, for researchers past their early-career phase, ‘last author’ is more prized than being 1st author. This is the technically-true-but-purposely-misleading trick used in advertising all of the time. You know, like the bright orange little "NO CARBS" sticker on that package of corned beef in the grocery store (apologies to meat-avoiding readers. I’m not trying to offend anyone. It’s just that this particular example sticks in my mind because it actually "worked" on someone I know). But as Steve and many others have pointed out many times, this is the kind of stuff you gotta do when you don’t have facts…
So all of you fellow readers who make their living in other ways, you are now FULLY INOCULATED against this particular strain of smear-virus (sorry about the lack of informed consent, but that’s the trend nowadays). Nope, no boosters needed unless maybe you end up in some kind of Matt-Damon-Bourne-Identity-amnesia kind of scenario. In rare cases like that, yes, a booster may be necessary. But, I’m sure it will be covered by your CIA-NSA-even-the-agency-name-is-classified group health plan. [que Extreme Ways by Moby] 🙂
I should probably point out for the sake of the general audience that although my comment above does indeed contain some humor (or at least my attempt at it), my point that Judy Mikovits discusses in a video interview that she was the recipient of a last-author smear was completely serious (although I can’t seem to put my hands on the source video at the moment…Judy has a LOT of interview videos!) If someone else recognizes this and could supply a web link, that would be great. The other thing I recall from this particular video is that her lawyer pops in for a second and attests to the fact that no formal charges were ever levied against her when she was arrested and jailed by the FBI for… well…apparently nothing.
Also, I was being completely serious in my description of the last-author position in the context of academic/scientific career progression.
And just one more thing. I have three comments here in succession. All three address very serious topics, but in different manners with different literary tones. So to avoid any misunderstandings:
- The "this is one brave professor" comment is just straightforward "reporting". No sarcasm, not even in the final question (which is a very sad commentary on the current state of affairs…).
- I’ve already explained in this sub-comment that the "last-author" smear tactic comment is a mix of fact and humor.
- The "MSM Universal Translator" comment is…well…I’ll leave that one for the individual reader to figure out. A few hints. 1) please read the whole comment and 2) the definitive key to determining the tone of the comment is the final emoji.
Thanks Joomi! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Any thoughts on my adjacent ‘MSM Universal Translator’ post? I see from your bio that you’re a data scientist and I’d be grateful for an opinion from someone in your field.
Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad to hear you think the translator is accurate as well. As far as techniques, I used cutting-edge adaptive learning algorithms running on the most sophisticated neural net-based portable hardware platform known to science - the human brain. Mine, in this particular instance. 🙂
Oh, I missed it before that you have your own Substack on the role of the media in the pandemic. I’d definitely like your input on my adjacent ‘MSM Universal Translator’ comment. I’ll have to check out your Substack! Right now I have to get back to my day job. While still have it. Seriously. Request for accommodation re: vaccine submitted. Awaiting reply from management…
If and when the hit piece on Prof. Quimron comes out, I wonder if it will include the but-look-he’s-LAST-author-on-most-of-his-pubs smear like they did with Judy Mikovits? I think I sustained minor injuries from rolling on the floor laughing so hard when I heard Judy mention that in an interview.
This kind of smear tactic is a good indication of how low those committed to protecting the narrative are willing to stoop. The narrative protectors know that few people outside of scientific research understand that ‘last author’ is a highly valued ‘position’ in the author line-up of a research paper. And why would they know such a trivial and, frankly, somewhat embarrassing little factoid that outside of these bizarre times would be totally irrelevant to them? (Embarrassing because academics and other researchers fight and squabble over such on a regular basis…) So most people don’t know that being ‘last author’ indicates that you led the research, that is, you were the brains of the operation. In fact, for researchers past their early-career phase, ‘last author’ is more prized than being 1st author. This is the technically-true-but-purposely-misleading trick used in advertising all of the time. You know, like the bright orange little "NO CARBS" sticker on that package of corned beef in the grocery store (apologies to meat-avoiding readers. I’m not trying to offend anyone. It’s just that this particular example sticks in my mind because it actually "worked" on someone I know). But as Steve and many others have pointed out many times, this is the kind of stuff you gotta do when you don’t have facts…
So all of you fellow readers who make their living in other ways, you are now FULLY INOCULATED against this particular strain of smear-virus (sorry about the lack of informed consent, but that’s the trend nowadays). Nope, no boosters needed unless maybe you end up in some kind of Matt-Damon-Bourne-Identity-amnesia kind of scenario. In rare cases like that, yes, a booster may be necessary. But, I’m sure it will be covered by your CIA-NSA-even-the-agency-name-is-classified group health plan. [que Extreme Ways by Moby] 🙂
This was a hilarious comment.
I should probably point out for the sake of the general audience that although my comment above does indeed contain some humor (or at least my attempt at it), my point that Judy Mikovits discusses in a video interview that she was the recipient of a last-author smear was completely serious (although I can’t seem to put my hands on the source video at the moment…Judy has a LOT of interview videos!) If someone else recognizes this and could supply a web link, that would be great. The other thing I recall from this particular video is that her lawyer pops in for a second and attests to the fact that no formal charges were ever levied against her when she was arrested and jailed by the FBI for… well…apparently nothing.
Also, I was being completely serious in my description of the last-author position in the context of academic/scientific career progression.
And just one more thing. I have three comments here in succession. All three address very serious topics, but in different manners with different literary tones. So to avoid any misunderstandings:
- The "this is one brave professor" comment is just straightforward "reporting". No sarcasm, not even in the final question (which is a very sad commentary on the current state of affairs…).
- I’ve already explained in this sub-comment that the "last-author" smear tactic comment is a mix of fact and humor.
- The "MSM Universal Translator" comment is…well…I’ll leave that one for the individual reader to figure out. A few hints. 1) please read the whole comment and 2) the definitive key to determining the tone of the comment is the final emoji.
Thanks Joomi! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Any thoughts on my adjacent ‘MSM Universal Translator’ post? I see from your bio that you’re a data scientist and I’d be grateful for an opinion from someone in your field.
Ha! Looks like a highly accurate MSM translator. You must have used some fancy techniques like deep learning, etc.
Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad to hear you think the translator is accurate as well. As far as techniques, I used cutting-edge adaptive learning algorithms running on the most sophisticated neural net-based portable hardware platform known to science - the human brain. Mine, in this particular instance. 🙂
Oh, I missed it before that you have your own Substack on the role of the media in the pandemic. I’d definitely like your input on my adjacent ‘MSM Universal Translator’ comment. I’ll have to check out your Substack! Right now I have to get back to my day job. While still have it. Seriously. Request for accommodation re: vaccine submitted. Awaiting reply from management…
Good luck!
Thanks!