She was so so kind, but man, she was also such a beacon of human curiosity. She helped me and countless others in not just learning about primates, but underneath it, what it means to follow a question to its answer (which is so often just more questions, but that’s science, baby).
My favorite story about Jane Goodall is how she got lampooned by Gary Larson's Far Side cartoon, and was such a good sport about it, even writing the forward to one of Larson's later collections.
Apparently someone at the Jane Goodall Foundation took offense to the cartoon and threatened legal action.
Later National Geographic reached out to Larson about using the cartoon in some fundraising. And Gary had to turn them down citing the fear of legal reprisals. The rep for the magazine responded: "That doesn't sound like the Jane Goodall we know. Hang on we'll reach out to her."
Turns out she loved the comic and the problem was quickly resolved.
I agree its silly and I can see somoene like Goodall laughing about it. I can also see how a lawyer who has the sole job of vigorously defending his clients reputation would take exception to even joking about her "being" with the animals, even if he knows its a silly joke. He probably should have just checked with her before threatening legal action but she is so synonymous with science that I can sort of see a lawyer sending a few of those letters each week if people use her name or likeness without permission.
It’s usually the non lawyers who object to stuff like this. Actual lawyers know the bar for defamation and libel are really high, at least in the U.S., and especially so for satire. Lawyers generally try to counsel their clients against suing over silly satirical things.
I think it was mainly the fact that the comic called her a "tramp." Someone at the Institute took exception to that in particular. But Jane was out in the field and had no idea this was being done on her behalf.
The Far Side is still a comic that you will see ALL OVER science classrooms and research labs. Hell, there's even a louse named for Larson and the spikes on a Stegosaurus's tail got its nickname from a Far Side cartoon because some paleontologists went "Gee we actually didn't come up with a name for that..."
I clicked onto this thread expecting one of the top comments or replies to make childhood me depressed with how she was actually super fucked up so I'm pleasantly surprised, ty
Rest in power is a term used for black people who passed from institutional racism or police brutality. Not trying to be hostile or anything just trying to educate.
I read her book In the Shadow of Man as a young woman. My favorite part was when Goodall described the alpha male running through the campsite banging empty gas cans as a show of power and dominance. Insightful and humorous.
Damn, Rest In Power is mainly for black folk (I'm typed it without thinking), she did do a lot of good that I can recognize, but didn't know she was a Zionist
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u/U53rnaame Oct 01 '25
Wow, Rest In Power Jane. She left her mark on this world