From an FBI interview to death threats to being dubbed "Dr. Doom," UT biology professor Eric Pianka has endured international criticism after twice delivering a speech in which he expressed his beliefs about the negative effects of the proliferating human population on ecology.
The controversy began one month ago when Forrest Mims, chairman of the Texas Academy of Science's environmental science sector, denounced Pianka's speeches March 3 at the Texas Academy of Science and March 31 at St. Edward's University as distasteful. The public erupted Sunday when The Gazette-Enterprise in Seguin reported on the speeches, stating that "humanity's collapse is a notion he embraces."
The lectures delivered were the sixth and seventh time Pianka has addressed the topics of global warming, biodiversity and the possibility of pandemic with diseases like HIV, bird flu and the Ebola virus. Although Pianka was quoted saying, "HIV is too slow. It's no good," in reference to eliminating human populace, biology junior Daniel Scanterbury, who has worked with Pianka on various research projects, said these statements were used for humorous purposes only.
"His whole speech was just a satire. As an ecologist, he sees firsthand how destructive human beings are," Scanterbury said. "It's not that he wants human beings to die, it's just that we keep growing, and with more contact, we become perfect substrates for diseases."
Allan Hook, professor of biology at St. Edward's, stressed that the main point of the lectures was to describe the rapidly disappearing world habitats and resources. Pianka pointed out that disease could cause a population crash, something which microbiologists have been saying for years, Hook said.
"I didn't advocate genocide," Pianka said. "Humanity is so mobile, social and dense that all it takes is one ill-infected individual for an epidemic in the making."
Pianka said the talks were pleas to "let wild animals have some of the earth" and that he was depicted unfairly, being quoted only on the last 10 minutes of his lecture, when he said the talk became "heated." He said there was tension in the room when he discouraged the notion of humans as the center of the universe.
Attacks made on Pianka are currently estimated in the thousands, varying from e-mailed death threats proposing the slaughter of Pianka's family to name-calling with titles such as "Dr. Doom." Mathematician and self-proclaimed neo-creationist William Dembski said he has reported Pianka to the Department of Homeland Security, according to "Uncommon Descent," an intelligent design blog site.
"I am required to meet with an FBI agent tomorrow for an interview," Pianka said. "They are questioning me on charges of possible terrorism threats. It is ridiculous."
Because of the pressing tension from the media and reactionaries, Pianka turned off his phones and allowed his e-mail inbox to overflow. University officials have supported Pianka, providing him with a public relations officer and standing by his right to express himself.
Pianka said because of The Gazette-Enterprise's quote obtained from a course evaluation by a one of his former students saying, "PIANKA IS GOD," the ideas behind the teachings in his classes have been falsely interpreted as warping and bending the minds of young people.
"Getting a good course evaluation from a student does not make me dangerous," Pianka said.
Scanterbury said he believes the public's misinterpretations resulted from the intensity of language used in evolutionary debate. Because an unavoidable, morbid situation is not a fun subject to discuss, the injection of humor is good to keep the audience's attention and lighten the mood, Pianka said.
"It all just got a little misinterpreted," Pianka said. "But not addressing these issues is like cutting the word love out of a love story every time it is mentioned and putting it in a jar. Where is the story then? There is no content."
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