Science & technology | Fellow feelingsElon Musk is causing problems for the Royal SocietyHis continued membership has led to a high-profile resignationThe great resignationPhotograph: Alicia Canter/Eyevine Nov 28th 2024ISAAC NEWTON was a self-interested tyrant. James Watson, a Nobel laureate, spouted racist and sexist notions all his life. These men nevertheless managed to keep hold of one of the British scientific establishments highest baublesfellowship of the Royal Society, the oldest scientific academy in the world. The latest member of that club to be accused of unbecoming behaviour is Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and, now, a confidant of President-elect Donald Trump. His continued inclusiondespite what some other scientists have called anti-scientific behaviourhas led to a fracas.Explore moreElon MuskThis article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline Fellow feelingsFrom the November 30th 2024 editionDiscover stories from this section and more in the list of contentsExplore the editionReuse this content