Professor Alessandro Strumia is a man with fairly strong views. A couple of days ago, he expressed a view that the science of physics "was invented and built by men" and that physics was "becoming sexist against men". Professor Strumia's employers at the European nuclear research centre, CERN, have suspended him from his duties pending an investigation. Into what, I ask ?
If this isn't proof that we live in a world in which free speech no longer exists, I don't know what is. Professor Strumia has his point of view and, whether he's right or wrong, surely he's entitled to air them. It is a fact that most historic scientific research was carried out by men and most of the basic theories which persist today were proposed by men. Indeed, until Marie Curie emerged in the late 19th century it is difficult to think of any female scientist of any sort who achieved real prominence. Caroline Herschel worked alongside her brother, William, and became a noted astronomer in her own right, while Ada Lovelace is credited with being a founder of general computing, but who else is there ? From Archimedes to Einstein, most science and certainly most physics, has been the province of men.
That there may have been cultural reasons for at least part of this male dominance cannot be disputed but facts are facts and Professor Strumia is correct in his historical perspective. However,whether or not women are generally better or worse at physics than men and whether or not there is now a sexist bias in favour of appointing women to research posts in physics is a different matter and one that is unproven, possibly unprovable, but surely the Professor is entitled to voice his opinion on the matter without running the risk of being sacked from his job. There is no doubt in my mind that men and women have different interests and abilities and the Professor may well be right on that score. In terms of there being a "sexist bias against men", he may well be right in that too; we know only too well that there is a general clamour from some in many quarters for there to be quotas and other special arrangements aimed at increasing the number of women in a variety of careers and roles.
Professor Strumia's views may go against the currently prevailing tide of 'equality', but he has a right to have them heard. We already have 'no platforming' at many universities, no one is allowed to criticize Israel for fear of being called anti-Semitic, and to deny that the so-called Holocaust ever happened is increasingly labelled as a criminal offence. Now, expressing a personal point of view seems to be under threat.
The more that free speech is denied the more dictatorial our society becomes. Words cannot harm anyone; they can be discussed and debated, debunked or confirmed. If Professor Strumia is right, then he will have opened the way for discussion of future approaches; if he is wrong, he will be shown up for having been an old fool. Either way, it is the women who will benefit and only the Professor who may be harmed.
For heaven's sake, CERN, wake up to the real world, not the one in which no one can say anything which others may dislike or find offensive. You, of all people, surely know that it is by challenging established beliefs that progress is made.
