Elon Musk, entrepreneur and founder of companies like Tesla and SpaceX, is facing strong criticism from the British scientific community. More than 3,000 scientists, including several Nobel Prize winners, have requested his expulsion from the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious institutions in the United Kingdom in the field of science.
Reasons for the Expulsion Request
The petition, signed in February and disclosed by AFP, argues that Musk has promoted “unfounded conspiracy theories,” which, according to the signatories, violate the Royal Society’s code of conduct and ethics. The criticism focuses on his use of the X platform (formerly Twitter) to spread false or inaccurate information about sensitive issues, such as vaccines and COVID-19.
Among the proponents of the request is Stephen Curry, emeritus professor of structural biology at Imperial College London, who stated on the social network Bluesky that Musk is “one of the most active spreaders of fake news.”
Geoffrey Hinton, 2024 Nobel Prize winner in Physics and considered one of the pioneers of Artificial Intelligence, also supported Musk’s expulsion due to the “enormous damage he is doing to scientific institutions in the United States.”
Elon Musk’s Response
Following the dissemination of the request, Musk responded directly on X, showing indifference to a possible expulsion: “Only fools, cowards, and insecure people care about awards and memberships. History is the true judge, always. Your comments are ignorant, cruel, and false.”
His reaction reinforces his defiant stance towards criticism and controversies, an attitude he has maintained throughout his career.
The Royal Society’s Stance
The Royal Society, founded in 1660, has more than 1,800 members, including 85 Nobel Prize winners. It has had historical figures such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking among its ranks.
In response to the petition, the institution issued a statement to AFP indicating that “any issues concerning individual members are handled with strict confidentiality.” Additionally, after a meeting held on March 3, no information has been released regarding Musk’s membership status or whether the petition has been formally considered.
Conclusion
Elon Musk remains a highly polarizing figure within the scientific and technological community. While his contributions to space exploration and technological innovation are undeniable, his statements and use of his platform to spread certain ideas have generated rejection among scientists. It remains to be seen whether the Royal Society will make any decision regarding his membership or if this controversy will remain a public debate.