Keith Böhlerkeithnator3000@universeodon.com
Oct 26, 2026, 2:44 PM@koen_hufkens @frincon @hannorein
Not disagreeing, but do you have something more on the political dimension of doing science?
Replies
Koen Hufkens, PhDkoen_hufkens@mastodon.socialOct 26, 2026, 4:07 PM@keithnator3000 @frincon @hannorein The general gist of it is that even abstract concepts such as data and code ultimately touch people. This makes it political. However, many scientific domains like to keep things abstract and forget to acknowledge the human component.
- Koen Hufkens, PhDkoen_hufkens@mastodon.socialOct 26, 2026, 4:09 PM
@keithnator3000 @frincon @hannorein This can play out on many levels, from the where and what of collecting data (e.g. violations of indigenous rights), the processing of said data (failing to acknowledge field work / students with credit flowing to the top), aggregation of data in meta-work as a power play (where large labs use their clout to coerce unbalanced data sharing agreements). Layered on top of that are similar code dynamics.
- Koen Hufkens, PhDkoen_hufkens@mastodon.socialOct 26, 2026, 4:11 PM
@keithnator3000 @frincon @hannorein On top of that is the fact that science is still a very vertically integrated business, with all the problems it brings, despite claims otherwise (i.e. merit).