Nathaniel Comfort
@nccomfort.bsky.social
Historian of science & medicine and writer @ Johns Hopkins & Berkeley. Biography of James Watson coming soonish from Basic Books. Also rock climbing, roots music, tattoos, dogs, humor. My opinions are his –>
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Nathaniel Comfort
@nccomfort.bsky.social
· Mar 18
Hello world! I’m a historian of genetics who writes for both academic and gen’l audiences. Author of books on Barbara McClintock and medical genetics & eugenics + many articles. Currently writing a biog. of James Watson. Other loves= dogs, music around the world, inappropriate humor.
Just so. Attentive historians of recent science will say, "Today, we understand this to be the case." Tomorrow, we may well understand it differently. That's how science works, no?
I’m very allergic to the phrase “we know that” in science communication, especially when it extrapolates from limited evidence. Findings don’t equal facts.
November 11, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Just so. Attentive historians of recent science will say, "Today, we understand this to be the case." Tomorrow, we may well understand it differently. That's how science works, no?
"The memo,... pointed to the way the Panorama documentary had stitched together separate sections of Trump’s speech. The result gave the appearance that Trump had encouraged the Capitol Hill riots."
FFS! *Of course* he encouraged it. Cowards.
FFS! *Of course* he encouraged it. Cowards.
November 11, 2025 at 4:20 AM
"The memo,... pointed to the way the Panorama documentary had stitched together separate sections of Trump’s speech. The result gave the appearance that Trump had encouraged the Capitol Hill riots."
FFS! *Of course* he encouraged it. Cowards.
FFS! *Of course* he encouraged it. Cowards.
I mean I think one should always place a substantial amount of salt on a biographer's notion of their subject's importance (it is always interrelated). But I think @nccomfort.bsky.social and @matthewcobb.bsky.social's careful account of the discovery (and who did what) is a model history.
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:12 AM
I did a Q&A with Jon Cohen at Science, talking about Watson, his partnership with Crick, and more…
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
James Watson: Titan of science with tragic flaws
Science historian Nathaniel Comfort reflects on the “most famous scientist of the 20th century, and the most infamous of the 21st”
www.science.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I did a Q&A with Jon Cohen at Science, talking about Watson, his partnership with Crick, and more…
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
HISTORIAN OF THE LIFE SCIENCES position at CSHL!
I’m thrilled to announce that the CSHL Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology is inviting applications for this position.
This is a remarkable opportunity to join a unique, internationally recognized institution and the Center
I’m thrilled to announce that the CSHL Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology is inviting applications for this position.
This is a remarkable opportunity to join a unique, internationally recognized institution and the Center
Career Opportunities | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Careers
www.schooljobs.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
HISTORIAN OF THE LIFE SCIENCES position at CSHL!
I’m thrilled to announce that the CSHL Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology is inviting applications for this position.
This is a remarkable opportunity to join a unique, internationally recognized institution and the Center
I’m thrilled to announce that the CSHL Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology is inviting applications for this position.
This is a remarkable opportunity to join a unique, internationally recognized institution and the Center
“A human a day keeps RFK away”?
I'm predicting the FDA is going to start recommending cannibalism.
RFK Jr: "President Trump is revising the dietary guidelines which is gonna dramatically change the food culture in this country."
November 10, 2025 at 10:34 PM
“A human a day keeps RFK away”?
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
Very interesting thread 🧵 on the history of science 🧪 🧬
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 10, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Very interesting thread 🧵 on the history of science 🧪 🧬
I'm delighted that Nell Greenfieldboyce used my quote about "Corn flakes Jim" in her obituary of James Watson on @npr.org. I got that from my interview with @ewanbirney.bsky.social. Birney nobly tried to persuade Watson that the science on race + IQ did not hold up. Sadly, Watson couldn't hear it.
James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA, has died at age 97
James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA has died at age 97. He was a scientific superstar until he made racist remarks that made him an outcast.
www.npr.org
November 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I'm delighted that Nell Greenfieldboyce used my quote about "Corn flakes Jim" in her obituary of James Watson on @npr.org. I got that from my interview with @ewanbirney.bsky.social. Birney nobly tried to persuade Watson that the science on race + IQ did not hold up. Sadly, Watson couldn't hear it.
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
Now that the dust is settling, read this excellent thread - the opposite of a hot take - by Watson’s biographer (out in a year or so!) You’ll see how complicated a 97 year life can be.
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 9, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Now that the dust is settling, read this excellent thread - the opposite of a hot take - by Watson’s biographer (out in a year or so!) You’ll see how complicated a 97 year life can be.
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
That he never did the reading is a feature of Sharon Begley’s obituary too.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
That he never did the reading is a feature of Sharon Begley’s obituary too.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
It's NOT correct at all. It's ideology-driven & lazy virtue signaling. "When the legend become fact, print the legend" etc
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It's NOT correct at all. It's ideology-driven & lazy virtue signaling. "When the legend become fact, print the legend" etc
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
James Watson made some tremendous contributions to science, and expressed many grotesque views, which were racist, sexist and ignorant. These are all well documented.
November 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
James Watson made some tremendous contributions to science, and expressed many grotesque views, which were racist, sexist and ignorant. These are all well documented.
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
In case your loved ones are spending their afternoons arguing with racists defending James Watson on Twitter…
Here’s a book they can and should link in their replies which is one of the best ways in to understanding what DNA is but especially what it is not!
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Here’s a book they can and should link in their replies which is one of the best ways in to understanding what DNA is but especially what it is not!
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
How Life Works
“Bold and intriguing.”—Wall Street Journal • “Penetrating. . . . Provocative and profound.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) • “Offers plenty of food for thought.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “...
press.uchicago.edu
November 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
In case your loved ones are spending their afternoons arguing with racists defending James Watson on Twitter…
Here’s a book they can and should link in their replies which is one of the best ways in to understanding what DNA is but especially what it is not!
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Here’s a book they can and should link in their replies which is one of the best ways in to understanding what DNA is but especially what it is not!
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
Like Dawkins, Harris, Pinker, even Harden all give a veneer of credibility. That allows the "moderates" to entertain otherwise toxic ideas by framing the debate with an appeal to authority. Watson was useful to say "this Nobel winner agrees Balcks and women are naturally inferior, who are you to...
November 9, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Like Dawkins, Harris, Pinker, even Harden all give a veneer of credibility. That allows the "moderates" to entertain otherwise toxic ideas by framing the debate with an appeal to authority. Watson was useful to say "this Nobel winner agrees Balcks and women are naturally inferior, who are you to...
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
I agree scientific racists are made and not born, but I think the sense of legitimacy Watson and his ilk provide are a major part of how scientific racists are made.
November 9, 2025 at 4:22 AM
I agree scientific racists are made and not born, but I think the sense of legitimacy Watson and his ilk provide are a major part of how scientific racists are made.
OK time for a clarification thread on my discussion of racism in my thread on Watson. Those of you who know my work know that this is a v imp issue to me. I want to get this right.
1/n
@dialecticbio.bsky.social
@erinsopran.bsky.social
@lcdriammdmph.bsky.social
@ayahnerd.bsky.social
1/n
@dialecticbio.bsky.social
@erinsopran.bsky.social
@lcdriammdmph.bsky.social
@ayahnerd.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 3:29 AM
OK time for a clarification thread on my discussion of racism in my thread on Watson. Those of you who know my work know that this is a v imp issue to me. I want to get this right.
1/n
@dialecticbio.bsky.social
@erinsopran.bsky.social
@lcdriammdmph.bsky.social
@ayahnerd.bsky.social
1/n
@dialecticbio.bsky.social
@erinsopran.bsky.social
@lcdriammdmph.bsky.social
@ayahnerd.bsky.social
Absolutely Watson's comments were racist!
Watson for me, partly, is a case study to understand how scientific racism develops, b/c if we understand it we may be able to kill it (or at least maim it badly).
It *is* messy. Messy is hard, esp in tweets. But messy is where we gotta go, right?
Watson for me, partly, is a case study to understand how scientific racism develops, b/c if we understand it we may be able to kill it (or at least maim it badly).
It *is* messy. Messy is hard, esp in tweets. But messy is where we gotta go, right?
I think Watson didn't think he was racist or hateful, but I think his comments on race and IQ among other things were definitely racist and hateful. It's a messy spot to inhabit...
November 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Absolutely Watson's comments were racist!
Watson for me, partly, is a case study to understand how scientific racism develops, b/c if we understand it we may be able to kill it (or at least maim it badly).
It *is* messy. Messy is hard, esp in tweets. But messy is where we gotta go, right?
Watson for me, partly, is a case study to understand how scientific racism develops, b/c if we understand it we may be able to kill it (or at least maim it badly).
It *is* messy. Messy is hard, esp in tweets. But messy is where we gotta go, right?
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 9, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
Looking forward to reading his book once it is out. My orbit was on the edges as I worked as a technician for one of Delbruck’s post-docs and my first scientific meeting was at CSHL. I have a lot of respect for a number of scientists of that generation.
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 9, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Looking forward to reading his book once it is out. My orbit was on the edges as I worked as a technician for one of Delbruck’s post-docs and my first scientific meeting was at CSHL. I have a lot of respect for a number of scientists of that generation.
You heard the man…
;)
;)
Please read this on Jim Watson, by his most thorough biographer
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 9, 2025 at 12:50 AM
You heard the man…
;)
;)
Funnily enough, I’ve thought about Watson and farce. The Double Helix has many farcical elements. Right down to the stereotyped caricature-characters. And then I noticed that Judson makes ref to Crick as Scaramouche
He could actually have read some Italian farce in the Hutchins program @UChicago
He could actually have read some Italian farce in the Hutchins program @UChicago
A fascinating thread on Watson, from an expert historian - though I wonder if farce would be a more effective motif than tragedy
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 9, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Funnily enough, I’ve thought about Watson and farce. The Double Helix has many farcical elements. Right down to the stereotyped caricature-characters. And then I noticed that Judson makes ref to Crick as Scaramouche
He could actually have read some Italian farce in the Hutchins program @UChicago
He could actually have read some Italian farce in the Hutchins program @UChicago
Reposted by Nathaniel Comfort
The real Jim Watson, in all his complexity. Brilliance and bigotry, he contained multitudes.
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 8, 2025 at 11:33 PM
The real Jim Watson, in all his complexity. Brilliance and bigotry, he contained multitudes.
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
James Watson with his younger son, Duncan, 1978. Courtesy @cshlaboratory.bsky.social archives
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 AM
James Watson with his younger son, Duncan, 1978. Courtesy @cshlaboratory.bsky.social archives