Science and Society

The man did alot for humanity. Shame on people for not letting the man speak his mind from a scientific standpoint. He apologized. LEAVE WATSON ALONE!!!

We all say things we later regret.

It is statistically undeniable that human evolution has taken slightly different paths with respect to geographical location. SO WHAT!!! We are all unique and have plenty of attributes that far out weigh our short commings.

Yeah, leave him alone...its ok to denigrate entire races from the standpoint of science, and then retreat when the idiocy of his statement is challenged.

So...as modern humans put it...as to not offend anyone, there is no such thing as a conquered people....as in, Native Americans (my people), Incas, Aztecs, etc. If what Dr. Watson said was not true...then explain to me why not at anytime in history has the black people as a whole not been able to produce a single country that can thrive...and don't feed me with that "the man has kept them down" crap. I am not racist, most of my friends are black....but Dr.Watson is correct, but blacks are not the only ones. I am offended that Dr.Watson feels the need to appologize because people are offended by the truth. If this world were to stop crying over stupid things and come together and use the intelligence that EVERYONE God has blessed them with, this planet would not be in the shambles that it is and has been in for so long. Constructive criticism is supposed to bring out the best in people, not get people banned, barred and discredited.

Ok, is there any chance what he said has a bit of truth to it, ignoring the need in our society to be politically correct? Just what are the odds that the races evolved over thousands of years in different locations and different environments, and evolved different colors, different physical sizes and appearances, and such BUT, during the same period of time, the brain evolved at exactly the same pace EVERYWHERE in the world and in the totally same way? Think about that? If you're honest in looking at the facts, isn't it likely that the races evolved on somewhat different schedules, and that there are some differences, with some being faster, some being taller, some being smarter, some being stronger, etc.? And in that view I think Africans come out on top in several respects, but NOT ALL RESPECTS, just like Caucasian and Oriental peoples are not the best in the world in numerous respects. So what’s so wrong with saying that?

It's simply not productive to speak about the African/black issue in any way. It's now totally within the realm of politics. You cannot follow any academic endeavor unless you are willing to follow the truth wherever it might lead.

There is absolutely no evidence that White people are intellectually superior than Black people based solely on skin color......HOW RIDICULOUS A STATEMENT!!!! Why are you people so caught up with this evolution junk? Do you really think that you came from a monkey or some sea animal? As much as I would like to say "perhaps you did..." I would not be speaking what I believe.......I did not evolve from a monkey dude......I came from God....from His image and from His likeness........

The Nation of Islam under the late Elijah Muhammad taught that White folks were made by a mad scientist as devils......How many folks believe that nonsense? There's a teaching within the Black race of superiority too......But because of them being such a minority, you don't here much of that.......Mr. Watson spoke a lie, and I was very troubled how so many weak and unsuccessful idiots took his side.....Folks, get a life.....Whites are not superior to Blacks in nothing....

What Dr.Watson said it's very true about blacks being the least smart. Not trying to be racist or anything but I agree with Green Boil, the African people could have not evolved as much because they never did create a country. Once having established one then they can truly advance. Just look at the incas and the Aztecs those people continuosly evolved, they were great in Math and Astronomy. And African people are the oldest but never moved on from their old ways.People should really apologize to him instead because he's right and he isn't trying to be racist.

He's just speaking from his scientific experience. If more people understood statistics the hatred for "racism" when speaking from a purely scientific bias would dwindle. Let's be real, the only reason we fight racism on this level is to protect the masses.

Blacks are not a worldwide minority. Unfortunately for him, Dr. Watson is ahead of his time and speaks an unpopular message. Well, not so much a message as a finding. Races are different. Racism has occured on one level or another in almost every culture in every generation in modern history. It has its drawbacks of course, which keep it unpopular. But simply saying that one race may be less intelligent than others is not cause for crucifixion.

Btw, just because a scientist says blacks may be less intelligent on the whole doesn't necessarily mean that person feels whites are superior. Whites are never mentioned.

Let science prevail and not prejudice. If Dr. Watson had said that the Black Race had evolve into faster running humans, that would be belivable. When is the last time a white man won the 100 meter dash? Agility is another advantage that the Black race may have. Look at any NBA team and you have mostly Blacks on the team. Now that the debate has begun let science verify Dr. Watson's findings and not fear or prejudice. If he is right then honor his remarks, if he is wrong make that known too. Through personal observation I do not share Dr. Watson's findings however as a Black man I can handle the truth. Besides, there is enough mixing of races to keep everyone here and viable for the rest of time.

Step out of box a bit. Look at the world. Eastern civilization gave us arts, cuisine, gunpowder, the Great Wall of China, the Art of War. Western civilization gave us the printing press, universities, scientific method, innoculations, space travel. People in the Eastern and Western worlds live in air-conditioned homes and watch color TV's and have fine doctors and fine dining. Sub-Saharan Africa has given us...AIDS, Ebola. A mere 25% of Africa’s urban population has access to toilets connected to sewers. Disease is rampant. You be the judge what races handle themselves better. But, in then end, we are all human beings, and while we may be different, no race should have dominion over another. Just recognize the differences and live with it.

THis controversy is one of the problems with evolution.

Race incorporates characteristics that include skin color, body shape, body size, muscular development, eye color, facial features, etc. - so it would make sense that race also incorporates intelligence. The thing about science is that you have to be willing to surmount politics to have good science. For example, if people want to believe in "color blindness" and that all people are "equal" - then it makes it very difficult to develop effective medical treatments for different sexes and races. The medical community is JUST discovering that one size doesn't fit all in medicine. To make vital advances in medicine - the medical and scientific community has to study the DIFFERENCES of race and sex.

You are morons if you think that evolution doesn't exist. The mere fact that you take the bible as the only truth, while thousands of times, evolution has been proved, then you are "unevolved".

In labs, you can test the evolutionary science in a matter of days. Take fruit flies with certain characterists. Seperate out the ones you want and keep breeding them. After several generations, you will notice the dominant trait. Look at dog species. Their DNA is almost exact, but they've isolated the genes that affect height, shape, etc. People are taller in general than they were even 200 years. Just look at antique beds. Primate DNA is over 90% exact to humans. You guys are totally in denial.

They've found skelatons of anthropithicas?, a near-human named Lucy that dates back several hundred thousand years ago. Almost like man, with only a few minor changes. Evolution exists, period. And I totally agree that certain races are more intellectually developed than others.

This speaks very loud and clear to the idea that we have a long way to go in terms of race relations in this country and throughout the world. Unfortunately for this dialogue to take place a mnority had to get pushed under the bus.

It is disgraceful that a man of science would make such ignorant remarks. It is very sad that in this country we still suffer from this kind of prejudice and ignorance.

It's amazing how prison and nearing death in old age can bring people to reach moral conclusions. Regardless what he said....I do believe it is feasible that U.S slave owners did some selective breeding for brute strength and stamina over intelligence....common sense would dictate not wanting a highly intelligent slave population.

I have read the comments here and it has brought tears to my eyes. I am more disturbed by these blogs that what Dr. Watson said. I read Dr. Watsons statement and thought...ridiculous. I read these blogs and thought.. Has the entire world lost it's mind? How can we call ourselves evolved in any way, scientifically, emotionally, intellectually or politically and still generalize entire races by certain attributes. I am ashamed and embarrassed that the human race still finds the need to indulge any form of racial degradation for what ever reason. I think Dr. Watson proved that being white does not make you intelligent. But we as a whole continue to prove that being apart of the human race does not make us human. Shame on us.

It is undeniable that there are evolutionary differences between the races. However, it is immoral to judge someone by the color of their skin and not by the content of their character.

I think the only thing that is apparent here is that whites want so desperately and firmly to establish their dominance and cultural/racial superiority in the world. Period. Among the peoples of the world, whites are the most "insecure" and "neurotic" about race--always wanting to point out the supposed weaknesses of others. It's always the same old argument--Africans have not developed nation states like Europeans and Asians therefore they must be inferior! But science doesn't support any intelligence differences among the races (according to Watson himself). So, could it be possible that all of the differences that we see among people are either social contructs or geographical adaptations? Let's put this to rest people, it's pointless and counter-productive. We've got much more important work to do--like making the world a better place for all!

One only needs to read the above posted comments to realize how irrationally prejudiced some Americans are. If this is an indication of the views of a cross-section of the readership of ABC, then it is indeed sad.
Anyone that really cares know, should read Steven J. Gould's book "The Mismeasure of man." It will explain to you how most "intelligence testing" stack the cards against individuals of African origin.

Just like in Germany, many things are simply not allowed to be said in modern day America. So much for freedom, we can carry death-wielding guns but we can't say what we believe.

this old man spoke his mind and said what he had said. there is no need to apologyze because he said it in the first place. my point is anyone can say anything for instance " apes are smarter than blacks " and go back and take his or her statement back and apologyse. i think it too easy, people just need to be careful when they open their mouths.

You know, it might just be easier to apologize for the crime against humanity that was slavery and African colonisation than repeatedly attempting (futily) to justify how we continue to rob the planet of talent and resource by operating an "Invisible Africa" agenda.

Reading some of the comments here, you wouldn't believe that the scientist himself said the following "To all those who have drawn the inference from my words that Africa, as a continent, is somehow genetically inferior, I can only apologize unreservedly. That is not what I meant. More importantly from my point of view, there is no scientific basis for such a belief."

Regardless! Assuming that most of those writing here (and struggling to find some basis to reaffirm their bigotry) can use the internet; I would suggest a quick and rudimentary research to confirm or deny the following: 1. That Africa actually had a history before the Europeans arrived. 2. Egypt, Lunda and the great recorded history and historical structures we sometimes marvel at are actually in Africa. 3. That democracy as we know it today was invented in the Shongai Empire, Oh yes in Africa. The list goes on..

The annoying misnomer in all this is that people continually confuse race and ethnicity. There is only ONE human race with diverse ethnicity. To hear some treat the issue as if people from other continents are a different species only confirms that as a whole, WE are not very bright at all!

Is it too hard to believe that their are genetic differences based on race. If it happens in the animal kingdom why not humans. I believe, in general Asians are Smarter than Whites, Whites are smarter than Blacks. But I also believe Blacks are better athletes than Whites and Whites are better athletes than Asians. Are these Racist statements? Or can they be proven scientifically IN GENERAL? Of course there are always exceptions. Think about it.

Mr. Watson’s comments are from a man who has been economically and socially blessed. Perhaps if he spent time in Africa trying to survive in an oppressed society that not only has it riches of diamonds, oil and other precious resources taken away; but also has to fight for a daily meal. All humans are born with the ability to learn and how much they develop are based on a myriad of circumstance including; what opportunities are available in their geographical location, be it Africa or New York City. From the living room of comfort, Americans can make any comment, the food is good, TV’s on, air or heat is on. and make a comment that someone is not as intelligent. Now real intelligence may be tracking an animal in the woods or on the African Plain to survive, to feed your family. Now some of us depend on welfare to do that but we can read about it in a book, does that make us more intelligent, no matter what race we are? Hey lets Google on how to fix the world’s problems, we all have that don’t we? We are all in this fish bowl together; and the words of wisdom from a man that found forgiveness in his heart, “Can we just get along”.

I have long heard the argument that, in general, "blacks are better athletes than whites." But I know this to be false. I have participated in a mixed-race basketball league for several years and have encountered numerous white players that were incredible athletes and numerous black players that were average athletes. The difference largely appears to be the individual committment to the game. I think whites have as much capacity as blacks to successfully compete in track and field sports but a lot of whites are discouraged because society says that they can't compete with blacks, so they never even try! So, the low number of whites in track is not necessarily biological, but probably more sociological!

Um, yeah, right, Dr. Watson; you're a day late and a dollar short with the mea culpa. Time to put your money where your mouth is. Consider yourself guilty by self-proclamation. It will take some genuine work on your part to prove your innocence again.

Yes, different populations of humans would have evolved small differences due to geographic separation. The problem is that the terms "black" and "white" do not refer to different populations of humans. Each of these "groups" contain a wide diversity of populations, with a great deal more variation within the groups than between them (with the diversity being highest in Africa). Groups that are lumped together because of general skin color are not necessarily even related to each other. "White" and "black" are strictly cultural terms with no basis in evolutionary history. And no difference in intelligence has been found between the groups anyway, not surprisingly.

Those Nobel Prize Pickers sure pick the best ones don't they? Gore's right up there with this idiot, Arafat, and Lê Ðức.

Think about evolution people, the fish who stayed in the water cannot be as smart as the one who went out and learned new things. They are both related but the one that went out of the water is more intelligent of course. I am not trying to be racist but this is true. Dr. Watson isn't saying this from being racist or anything but research does show that Africans are the least smart from all the races. Look it up yourselves people, from test scores and IQ tests.

I looked up race and IQ and found the following interesting tidbit on Wikipedia:

"A university study in the US was carried out in order to determine whether a relationship existed between prejudice and IQ. Students were given an IQ test and a test that measures racial prejudice. The study found that students who scored lower on IQ tests were more prejudiced."

I guess it speaks for itself.

James Watson has never been a politically correct guy. In 1952, James Watson and Francis Crick basically built on research by a truly outstanding molecular biologist named Rosaland Franklin. They took her X-ray crystalography photos, and interpretations that she had already written (but not published) while a professor at Kings College. Because Dr. Franklin was a woman, Watson and Crick never saw a need to credit her at all in their Nobel Prize winning paper.

Rosalind had died of cancer after photographing and documenting DNA's double-helical structure, and thus never published on the discovery. Watson and Crick picked up her work, published a ground-breaking paper, and took all the credit. Never mentioned her once.

As for the rest of you yahoos, arguing if whites are smarter than blacks, or if evolution is even true; get a life. To even argue the point only demonstrates the sorry condition of the American intellect.

It's a shame this man has been punished for having an opinion. He is an extremely intelligent and honorable man who has done alot for the world. Apparently political correctness is more important than ANYTHING else. Bow down to the multicultural police state or lose your job. Goodbye freedom of expression.

I just really think it is shame that we still have ignorant people out here.I'm really tired of all this racism and all these racist comments. It is very hurtful when you have to hear and read all of these negative things about your race, never do you hear the positive. Why are people always trying to bring African Americans down.The apology did not mean anything, because he meant what he said.

Watson made far reaching claims with no evidence by his own standards to support it other than the invalid IQ test with no cultural relevance to Africans. Africa itself has been under attack for over 2,000 years by caucasions,and asiatic hordes. No wonder its people were pushed back from the northerly areas into sub sahara. There are several great African Empires to all of you non learned. Ur, Chaldea, Egypt, Sumeria, Mali, Timbuctu, Songhai,to name a few, all of them over 600 years ago.