Corona Daily 368: The Case of the Anthropology Professor

In the twitter world, she was known as @Sciencing_Bi. Using a simple name ‘Alepo’, and a flower as her avatar image, she had some 6000 followers. @Sciencing_Bi was a geologist/paleontologist, a professor at the Arizona State University, bisexual, from a Hopi Native American background. An outspoken activist, her tweets about racism, sexism, and other discrimination in academia attracted followers. On twitter, one professor described her as a prominent Native American anthropologist. Her activism became strident when she became sick with Covid-19, and began tweeting about her battle with the disease.

Blaming Arizona State University for her condition, she said the university forced her to give lectures to 200 students instead of closing the school in April. As if this was not enough, the university had cut 15% of her salary when she was in hospital. In late June, @Sciencing_Bi asked her supporters to donate to her through Professor McLaughlin’s Venmo account. She said the dean had asked her to take a DNA ancestry test to prove her status as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color).

In early June, @Sciencing_Bi also claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Theodor Bestor, a Harvard professor. Her tweet mentioned this event took place during a scientific meeting.

On 31 July, her friend Dr BethAnn McLaughlin, a neuroscientist, announced that @Sciencing_Bi had died from complications of the virus. In a long twitter thread, she paid testament to her humanity and strength. Gary Wright II, an LGBQT Alabama activist said the news was painful. She meant so much to diverse communities. Professors and scientists tweeted messages of sympathy, grief and general Covid-19 awareness. A Zoom memorial service was arranged by Dr McLaughlin.

*****

Melissa Bates, a professor at the University of Iowa attended the Zoom memorial meeting. Ms Bates tweeted that it was attended only by four people- herself, Dr McLaughlin, Mr Eisen and one more man. Though they spoke warmly of the departed soul, Dr McLaughlin was the only one who had ever met @Sciencing_Bi. It was understood that in life, @Sciencing_Bi was reluctant to reveal her true name. But even after death, nobody had learnt of her identity.

*****

A spokesman from the Arizona State University clarified they were not aware of any such person ever working for them. The university had closed classes in March; there was no question of a lecturer contracting the virus in April. No salary was cut, nor was anybody asked to prove any Native American Status.

Twitter followers and mourners began raising their suspicions. Except Dr BethAnn McLaughlin, nobody had ever met @Sciencing_Bi.

*****

Dr BethAnn McLaughlin campaigned against sexual assault and harassment of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Assistant professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University, she launched the #MeTooSTEM website in 2018 for women to tell their stories. She turned out to be a racist, bully and harasser herself, to an extent where everyone left her organization. She was removed from the university.

In 2016, she created the identity of @Sciencing_Bi presumably to refute she was racist or homophobic. With people getting suspicious, she decided to kill her. On Monday, twitter removed both accounts. Yesterday, through her lawyer, she gave a statement to NYT acknowledging her cat-fishing act. As much as is known, there is no punishment for such a hoax.

Social media identity frauds are now easier. In Covid times, a person can easily say he/she can’t meet. The lesson is to make sure you know the person exists before getting involved, or posting a mourning message.

Ravi