Comments on: We need the Taxonomy Hulk

By: Expiscor (19 April 2013) | Arthropod Ecology

Expiscor (19 April 2013) | Arthropod Ecology — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:51:29 +0000

[...] does some fine work (and it was given a stamp of approval by Taxonomy Hulk – yes, we do need him, [...]

By: David Shorthouse (@dpsSpiders)

David Shorthouse (@dpsSpiders) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 23:14:38 +0000

Sounds like there’s a dearth of Hulk concepts in need of revision.

By: Chris Buddle

Chris Buddle — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:50:53 +0000

Yes, Raphael – the twitter hulks needed their taxonomy partner to join in the fun… a twitter joke, but with an undercurrent that is relevant and important re: larger topic of correct taxonomy.

Terry – I ‘sensed’ that Prof X was fully engaged with this topic… (my spidey senses perhaps)

By: terry wheeler

terry wheeler — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:03:18 +0000

Chris – Professor X sez “Like”. Well, I suppose he really only has to think it.

By: Rafael Maia

Rafael Maia — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:58:05 +0000

Just to make sure everyone is in the same page, “X Hulk” is a recurring twitter joke… There’s Feminist Hulk, Film Crit Hulk, Tea Party Hulk, and even Grammar Hulk (#wat). for the science-y folks, there’s Open Access Hulk, Data Curator Hulk, Thesis Hulk, Metrics Hulk and Oxytocin Hulk that their Taxonomist brother has joined. No need for inadvertent smashing

By: Chris Buddle

Chris Buddle — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:38:40 +0000

Thanks for the comments- my response: different strokes for different folks! There are many ways to cultivate knowledge, came careful and gentle, and some IN CAPITALS. Some with the use of humour, some that are humourless.

If Taxonomy Hulk can help “the cause” with some fun reminders – sounds like a good idea to me.

Terry – Professor X (and his/her tutorial) is a fine idea, also. I’m sure Hulk wouldn’t mind – There’s room for both.

By: proflike substance

proflike substance — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:26:48 +0000

Seriously, doesn't everybody know that it is their responsibility to carefully and gently educate someone for being too lazy to understand what they are writing? How dare anyone use humor when they should be spending their time to cultivate knowledge among those who can't even be bothered to google. Frankly, I'm dismayed.

By: terry wheeler

terry wheeler — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:43:57 +0000

I may get smashed for this . . .

I agree that taxonomy needs a superhero. But I wonder if we’d make more progress with Professor X (might as well stick with the Marvel universe). In other words – is the cause of taxonomy better served by promoting the importance of good, clear, careful taxonomy, or by seeking out and smashing mistakes IN CAPITALS? That may come across as a Humorless Old Fart argument, but I think we can transmit the message that good taxonomy matters by taking the Professor’s “it’s good to be good” approach in addition to the Hulk’s “IS BAD BE BAD!!!” approach.

An example – incorrect use of italics for scientific names (genus yes! species yes! family NO!) makes me go a bit green, but how many non-taxonomists actually LEARN that rule to begin with? A quick tutorial with Professor X might do more good than being smashed for a Newbie Font Fail.