It was international news last week when Dallas-based so-called “de-extinction” company Colossal Biosciences pledged to do the improbable: bring back the Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, from extinction.
With 50 scientists and $15 million devoted to the project, the announcement attracted a lot of attention, and disapproval, from some in the biomedical community. “De-extinction is a fairytale science,” said Jeremy Austin from the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA.
Colossal Biosciences advertisement for the thylacine project.
So it seemed strange when, for a project already facing scientific doubters, the start-up turned to influencers to spruik for the project on Instagram.
Top of the list endorsing the project was Californian influencer Kendall Long, who describes herself as a “Science Enthusiast/Curiosity Explorer” and appeared on season 22 of The Bachelor and seasons five and seven of Bachelor in Paradise.
Also plugging the project is Laura Wells, a “Science communicator-Presenter-Model” who works as a freelance television presenter at Channel Seven. Wells does have scientific bonafides, with a degree in science and having been part of several environmental campaigns for Greenpeace, 1 Million Women and WWF Australia.
CBD heard that other scientists approached by Colossal were offered “a lot” of money, but could only hear about the deal if they signed a non-disclosure agreement prior to the offer.
As if that wasn’t strange enough, the company has also received funding from crypto and gaming companies Animoca Brands and Untamed Planet. Other investors include Paris Hilton and Chris Hemsworth.
“Scientific education and the proliferation of that knowledge is key to the advancement of society,” serial entrepreneur and Colossal co-founder Ben Lamm told CBD. As such it was critical to “reach younger generations in their social media platforms of choice”.
Not everyone is on board for the emerging trend of scientific influencers.
Professor Kristofer M. Helgen, chief scientist and director of the Australian Museum Research Institute, said he is aware of people being paid to tweet about the project – some of whom have been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.
“This is not normal in our fields of science. It is a complication of science performed in a corporate culture. This is a new dynamic. I don’t think it is necessarily a welcome one.”
A brave new world indeed.
Interested parties
A few of the 47th parliament’s stragglers have released their registers of interest since Wednesday’s gentle ribbing in this column.
That includes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose disclosure reveals his partner Jodie Haydon has taken over as chief patron of the National Portrait Gallery, a customary honour for prime ministerial spouses. The gallery’s website, which still lists Jenny Morrison as chief patron, could do with a refresh.
Since becoming PM, Albo’s received his share of gifts, including a bamboo bike from Indonesian President Joko Widodo (commemorating their time cycling round Jakarta together), tickets to a Jimmy Barnes concert from Barnesy himself, a coin celebrating Spanish artist Francisco de Goya’s 275th anniversary from NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (which he dutifully surrendered to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet) and of course, tickets to “various” South Sydney Rabbitohs games.
Father of the House Bob Katter dropped a disclosure that is typically Katter-esque and vague.Credit: John Shakespeare
Meanwhile, Father of the House Bob Katter dropped a disclosure that is typically Katter-esque and vague.
“I have some interests in cattle operations in the Gulf ... and in mining. Nothing definite at this stage,” it reads. “I own 100 heifers in Cape York,” Katter scrawls in pen.
A different world up north.
There’s also a reminder that the teal independents are pretty well-off. Wentworth MP Allegra Spender owns four properties, including two holiday house/investments in Great Mackerel Beach on Sydney’s northern fringes.
Not to be outdone, member for Mackellar Sophie Scamps has five – a farm in Wee Jasper and three investment properties to go with the Avalon family home.
Playing the part
Any reader who has watched a top-tier barrister in full flight might wonder just how much of their appearance is performative.
Renowned criminal barristers Robert Richter, QC, and Philip Dunn, QC, are known for their theatrical quips as much as their brilliant legal advocacy.
Turns out, at least for some, they are not naturally born like that.
Robert Richter, QC, is good with a theatrical quip.Credit: Eddie Jim
On Tuesday the Victorian Bar offered a seminar on “Commanding the room” from theatre director Richard Lawton, promising to improve barristers’ vocal delivery strength, communication style and body language, as well as tips for delivering a clear story, among other things.
The seminar, designed to couple legal argument with captivating style, received a ringing endorsement from Judge Ian Gray, formerly Victorian state corner, chief magistrate and County Court judge.
“You graphically reminded me of the value of giving your instrument [the voice] its full potential,” Gray said of the seminar.
Seminar graduates are not the only actors at the bar. Last week Darren Mort took home the gong for barrister of the year, after 30 years of practising in family law and family violence – and 30 years as an actor.
You might recognise Mort for his appearances on Neighbours, Dr Blake’s Murder Mysteries, Blue Heelers, City Homicide and Underbelly.
A Fidge too far
On Wednesday night, the seven wannabes vying for presidency of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners faced off in a virtual candidates’ forum.
And a deeper dive into one of those wannabes might raise a few eyebrows. Julian Fidge, a Wangaratta-based GP, recently wrote to the Therapeutic Goods Administration demanding the regulator end its ban on using Ivermectin to treat COVID-19, which he called “irrational, irresponsible, reckless and possibly criminal”.
While major studies have found no evidence of Ivermectin’s effectiveness as a COVID treatment, it’s still regularly pushed as a silver bullet drug – not usually by doctors like Fidge, but by figures on the political right including former Nationals MP George Christensen and Australia’s would-be next prime minister Craig Kelly.
Fidge seems to share some political stripes with those types: he ran with their conservative fellow travellers the Liberal Democrats for the Victorian seat of Indi at the last election.
And he was last in the news back in 2017 when he represented former Bendigo councillor Elise Chapman in a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing which found her guilty of misconduct over a tweet which the judge said gave voice to “ugly and unjustified stereotyping of Muslims”.
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