Royal Society will not discipline Elon Musk
The Royal Society has decided not to take disciplinary action against Elon Musk, despite concerns from some of its fellows about his behavior. The academy believes that investigating Musk could lead to more harm than good for science. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has faced criticism for comments he made and actions he took that some argue violate the society's code of conduct. This includes offensive remarks and significant cuts to scientific funding in the US. The code states that fellows should not undermine the society’s mission. Sir Adrian Smith, the president of the Royal Society, stated that the council discussed various opinions at a recent meeting. Ultimately, they decided against exploring the matter, as doing so might create political challenges and damage the society's reputation. Some prominent scientists have called for Musk's expulsion from the academy, while others have warned that such a move could set a troubling precedent. Smith emphasized that the council does not condone harmful behavior but believes that the focus should remain on larger scientific issues. Smith mentioned that the Royal Society will enhance its efforts to advocate for science and will engage more directly with fellows in both the UK and US to better understand their challenges. The contents of a letter sent to Musk by the society's president-elect have not been disclosed. The decision has sparked frustration among some fellows, who feel that the Royal Society is ignoring serious issues related to Musk's conduct and failing to address the concerns of its members. They worry that by not holding Musk accountable, the academy risks losing its authority within the scientific community.