Oppo Research in the Tradition of Einstein (Free Republic under fire)

The Washington Post has published an unintentionally amusing article this morning about one Danielle Allen, a "razor-sharp, 36-year-old political theorist" at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Studies. Allen, with doctorates from Cambridge and Harvard, won a $500,000 MacArthur Foundation genius grant a few years ago and now conducts studies at the Institute, where, according to the Post, "she works alongside groundbreaking physicists, mathematicians and social scientists. They don't have to teach, and they face no quotas on what they publish. Their only mandate is to work in the tradition of Einstein, wrestling with the most vexing problems in the universe."

And one of the most vexing problems in the universe, which Allen has decided to pursue in the tradition of Einstein, is the origin of a number of e-mails claiming that Barack Obama is a Muslim. Using the advanced research tools at her disposal, the razor-sharp Allen found…a couple of posters on the Free Republic website, plus a former political rival of Obama's who sends out zillions of e-mails to reporters every day.

The former political rival appears to have been completely open about the stuff he sent out, some of which was based on arguments similar to an op-ed that appeared in the pages of the New York Times. As for Free Republic, according to the Post, Allen "counted 23 freepers among those engaging in regular discussions about Obama's religion, and isolated a handful whom she began to suspect as having a role in the e-mail. Sifting through hundreds of postings, she began to piece together their identities."

Allen gave her information to the Post reporter, who used it to track down two allegedly offending freepers, one a 69-year-old retired grandfather in the suburbs of Boston and the other a 60-year-old schoolteacher in rural Washington state. Both said they had nothing to do with the emails. And that's about it.

But the article has a pretty clear subtext, and it is that the exchange of such information on the Internet should be controlled. "I started thinking, 'How does one stop it?'" Allen told the Post. "Citizens and political scientists must face the fact that the Internet has enabled a new form of political organization that is just as influential on local and national elections as unions and political action committees…This kind of misinformation campaign short-circuits judgment. It also aggressively disregards the fundamental principle of free societies that one be able to debate one's accusers."

Of course, we have laws that regulate the political activities of unions and political action committees. Is it going too far to guess that the scholar from the Institute for Advanced Studies might be searching for some way to do the same for Free Republic?

A sociologist, eh? Funniest afternoon I spent in grad school was listening to a PhD in Sociology defend his ability to claim that he was doing anything that could be described as a science.

Claiming that the lady is working with physicists and is therefore a “scientist in the tradition of Einstein” is almost more of a slander on real science as anything Al Gore has presented in his long-winded snake oil scam. Producing this drivel for WaPo to run as the opening gambit of attempts to frighten FReepers (just for starters) into silence is only validation of my theory on that subject.

These sophomoric antics are about to get on my last d*** nerve. The MSM has apparently decided that, since they have so thoroughly wrecked their own credibility, they can now dress their propaganda as “scientific study” and continue as before. I can only hope that they don’t destroy the reputations of too many genuine scientists while they’re engaged in this ploy.

Finally, if the lady is actually teaching or having any effect on the curriculum, I guess I’ve just added another school to the list of places that I would definitely NOT recommend to any of my family. Or MY students.

Institute for Advanced Study
Administrative Policies and Procedures

3.4 Conflicts of Interest and Outside Activities

Institute community members have the responsibility to protect the Institute from conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest may arise if an individual's personal interests interfere with their professional relationship and obligations to the Institute. Conflicts of interest can also arise if an Institute community member interacts inappropriately with other members or uses his/her status at the Institute for inappropriate purposes. (For more information, see the Institute’s policies governing Harassment, Personal Relationships in the Workplace, and Consulting and Work Performed by Staff for Other Members of the Institute Community.)

The concept of conflict of interest is complex and every potential situation cannot be addressed in a single policy, but it is useful to establish general guidelines. Generally stated, Institute community members are obligated to act with integrity and exercise good judgment in all of their activities and to be sensitive to situations that may be actual conflicts or create an appearance of a conflict of interest. Similarly, Institute community members must avoid situations that benefit, or appear to benefit, themselves or their families rather than the Institute. Institute resources, facilities, equipment and information may not be used to further an Institute community member's involvement in outside activities.

Although every kind of conduct that could lead to a conflict of interest cannot be included here, some examples may be helpful:
Outside employment or consulting during Institute work time
Significant financial interest in business concerns that are vendors to the Institute
Accepting gifts from vendors or other business concerns
Hiring members of one's family on an employment or contract basis
Professional associations and civic activities that might conflict with the Institute’s mission
Inappropriate use of the Institute’s name
Exploitation of one's association with the Institute for private gain

Institute community members who are concerned that some activity or conduct may conflict with this policy should speak with their supervisor or the Manager of Human Resources prior to engaging in that activity or conduct. Actions that contradict this policy may subject individuals to disciplinary action. Where government funds are involved, a conflict of interest may also result in civil and/or criminal penalties.

Outside Employment
Consistent with this policy, staff members may not take on additional work for themselves or any third party during work hours. Additional work that is performed outside normal working hours should not be competitive with or detrimental to the Institute’s best interests. Employees considering additional employment should speak with their supervisors about the nature of the work, the commitment that would be required, and other relevant details. If it is determined that this work would create, or has the potential to create, a conflict of interest, the request will not be approved. Any employee who takes additional employment against the wishes of the Institute will be subject to Institute action, up to and including dismissal.

Professional Associations and Voluntary Activities

The Institute recognizes the importance of participating in (1) professional associations and societies that align with career interests and (2) certain voluntary civic and community activities. Even so, such activities may raise actual and/or perceived conflicts of interests in terms of time commitment and other employment obligations. Institute community members must remember that during working hours, their primary commitment is to the Institute, and they should not allow outside activities to interfere with this commitment. Institute community members should establish clear boundaries to separate outside activities from Institute commitments.

Confidential Information

Employees in certain offices or departments may have access to confidential and/or proprietary information as part of their responsibilities. Such information must be treated with care inside the Institute and with strict confidence outside the Institute. Confidential information or knowledge must not be disclosed to other employees (unless there is a recognized business need), third parties, family members, colleagues, or friends; this obligation continues after an employee discontinues working at the Institute. Employees who disclose confidential information without clear need and prior consent or in any way violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

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