February 14, 2026
Hot takes vs lab coats
Epstein's Ugly World of Science
Genius Boys’ Club or Guilt by Association? Commenters Clash Over Epstein’s science circle
TLDR: Epstein’s files reignited scrutiny of elite science circles that kept ties with him after his 2008 conviction, from book-salon culture to MIT. Commenters split between demanding accountability for a sexist status club and warning against guilt-by-association—with dark jokes and cynicism about labels fueling the fire.
The latest look into Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to elite academics has commenters declaring open season on the “genius” boys’ club—and each other. The article lays out how a network of big-name scientists and thinkers kept courting Epstein even after his 2008 conviction, from the Edge Foundation’s star salon Edge to the MIT Media Lab. The crowd reaction? Equal parts disgust, dark humor, and debate.
Some are furious at the arrogance and status-chasing. One user recalls the 2014 Reddit “gender wars,” saying being “woke” meant simply not harassing women, and now sees how reactionary academics fit the picture. Others go introspective: a veteran physicist admits “there but for the grace of God,” confessing the pull of fame is real. And then there’s the gallows humor—one commenter jokes their university escaped the drama thanks to a “shitty airport.”
But the pushback is loud: skeptics warn this is morphing into a guilt-by-association witch hunt. As one puts it, money is money, and party invites don’t prove complicity. Another adds a cynic’s punchline: don’t trust labels—“woke,” “progressive,” whatever—because people lie. The only consensus? The myth of the pure, all-brain, no-ego scientist just took a hit, and the community can’t agree if that’s accountability—or a pile-on.
Key Points
- •The article states Epstein maintained ties with scientists and academics after his 2008 conviction, including continued socializing and funding.
- •Named figures in Epstein’s orbit include Robert Trivers, Noam Chomsky, Lawrence Krauss, Martin Nowak, and Larry Summers.
- •Stephen Hawking and Richard Dawkins are reported to have visited Epstein’s island; the article notes no evidence of sexual wrongdoing tied to their visits.
- •Joichi Ito resigned as MIT Media Lab director in 2019 after concealing Epstein-related funding to the lab.
- •John Brockman’s Edge Foundation, promoting a “Third Culture,” is described as having Epstein as a major funder; some severed ties post-2008, while others did not.