Talk:Alexander Goldfarb (biologist)

Hi, I am the subject of this article. It states that I died on January 18, 2021. The reference is to the death of my namesake. I am very much alive. Please correct.

International Foundation for Civil Liberties claims he was worked for Soros Foundation in Russia. Perhaps we need more sources and incorporate note about it here. 24.218.100.40 04:01, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

Untitled

He described his work for Soros Foundation and personal meetings with Soros in his book "Death of dissident".Biophys 04:11, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

Goldfarb likes to say that he "helped Alexander Litvinenko to leave Russia". What exactly is such a help, if you leave a country from where everybody can freely travel? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.78.65.108 (talk) 13:27, August 30, 2007 (UTC)

Any extra data on Goldfarb's career in Kurchatnik?

Something in Goldfarb's bio does not add up. He was born in 1947, so he could not graduate uni before 1968 (most likely 1969). Than, according to bio, he worker in Kurchatnik and immigrated in 1975. Sorry, but even floor sweepers in some more sensitive departments of this organization were not allowed to go abroad 10 years after they left organization, and anyone involved in anything remotely resembling R&D could not emigrate within 10 years after parting ways (which was the explanation for an awful lot of refuseniks). How was it possible for him to leave? RJ CG (talk) 19:36, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

See this Russian article. Extremely POV, but it tells about his parents and early career.Biophys (talk) 21:53, 27 March 2008 (UTC) Seems to be a valid source, written by Zhores Medvedev. Of course his brother Roy Medvedev worked for the KGB, but still qualifies as a "reliable source".Biophys (talk) 21:56, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

It seems to me that Mr. Medvedev is as much at loss as yours truly about mistery surrounding Goldfarb's emigration. That makes two of us but no answer. By the way, I am truly shattered by your incredible act of generosity as to not dismissing Mr. Medvedev's testimony outright on the basis of him being relative of alleged KGB collaborator. I was fully expecting you to call for Mr. Zh. Medvedev's execution, in good old revolutionary tradition, whichj seem to be deeply entrenched in your mind (otherwise why to mention Roy's alleged collaboration at all???). RJ CG (talk) 15:16, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

If you look at the sources I am using, a significant part of them has been produced by former KGB officers, some of them even claim to remain "Russian patriots". There is nothing special about that. As about "Kurchatnik", that was probably a "blat", personal connections of someone with director of their First Department. Or perhaps he signed only "Form number 2". But we do not make guesses here. If you hint on something (and I know what it is) - sources please.Biophys (talk) 19:38, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

It's not that much "the sources you are using" (much of them actually written by KGB men) but your very suggestion that blood relations can be valid ground for censorship. It reminded me of old Soviet policies so much... Speaking about Kurchatnik and my suspicions, I can honestly admit I had no idea what kind of stuff I was running into when I asked this question. Worst thing which crossed my mind was good old resume padding on the Mr. Goldfarb's side. You know, a lot of USSR emigrants "worked as personal advisors of a CPSU General Secretary" of the day (at least if you believe their resumes), so you gullible Western employer would make a grave error not to hire this person on the spot. But whole story stinks much more than that. Let me tell you (as if you didn't know), that use of ordinary "blat" to get somebody to sign emigration permission for young researcher from the Kurchatov Institute is impossible. This kind of favours belongs to "one of a lifetime favour to someone you owe your life to" category, and pretty much erases one's debt. And signing such permission to a Jewish offspring of high-ranking researcher (Mr. Goldfarb Sr.) of Kurchatnik (as Soviet authorities were well aware by 1975 of "family reunification" policy) is doubly so. We can either commit a brutal rape of the Occam's razor and suggest a fairytale story of lily-white innocent Mr. Goldfarb Jr. getting KGB permission on the ground of his pureness or go with the most obvious explanation and suggest that one should repay such a favour from KGB. RJ CG (talk) 12:31, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

Unfortunately, this is all irrelevant without extra sources. The existing sources only tell that he worked in Kurchatov Institute (no reason to dispute that), and that he emigrated. This is all we know. Obviously, that was possible since he emigrated - as a matter of fact.Biophys (talk) 15:31, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

P.S. I told about Medvedev's brother because working for the KGB in Russia is a family business; only KGBsts in the second or third generations are really trusted by this organization (as was trusted "Comrade J") - per numerous sources.Biophys (talk) 18:13, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

But if to talk seriously, Goldfarb studied DNA repair in Kurchatov Institute. There is nothing top secret about this.Biophys (talk) 18:18, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm no guru in genetics, so it kinda hard for me to understand real importance of his work. I guess 99 of 100 peoples on a Moscow or New York street asked circa 1944 about importance of nuclear fission would stare blankly and comment that this is unimportant scientific mumbo-jumbo. What I do know, however, is that everything in Kurchatnik was considered secret by Soviet authorities (they could be paranoid, but that's beside the point) and even being Jewish relative of Goldfarb Sr. (who was doing some military-related projects) was huge stumbling block for potential immigrant. Goldfarb Jr. navigated two impenetrable obstacles in e year. Incredible, isn't it? RJ CG (talk) 20:26, 2 April 2008 (UTC)

By the way, what do you think of this? Medvedev almost openly accuses Goldfarb of working with American secret services (well, Medvedev is "old school", so he can't throw direct accusations Berezovsky- and Goldfarb-style). RJ CG (talk) 20:26, 2 April 2008 (UTC)

He tells ("тесно связанного с госдепом США") - "he had connections in US Department of State" - you can read what is it). But this is not intelligence. They are diplomates. Probably Goldfarb indeed had connections in this department since he easily arranged a visa for Litvineko (you should read introduction to their book, Lubyanka Criminal Group).Biophys (talk) 21:14, 2 April 2008 (UTC)

P.S. There is nothing strange in Goldfard story. He was not involved in any secret projects. He studied DNA repair. Your practical knowledge of the Soviet system is probably very limited. Some people who did work in the top secret places easily left the country and told very interesting stories about their work (for example, how people's money were wasted to construct something that would never work, such as "seismic weapons"). But Goldfarb is not one of them.Biophys (talk) 21:40, 2 April 2008 (UTC)

Your practical knowledge of the Soviet system is probably very limited. There are more stupid things on Earth than trying to discredit one's opponent without knowing squat of him, but still this is pretty stupid. Your obvious dislike of my position and questions I'm asking does not prove my lack of knowledge, but trying to smear me for having balls to advocate views you don't like speaks volume about your integrity. RJ CG (talk) 14:09, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

I am sorry. I did not mean to discredit you at all. I only expressed my doubts that you are familiar with the subject. But perhaps I am wrong, and you are an excellent expert.Biophys (talk) 15:29, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

Categories

Please provide some reference that he is a citizen of Israel. Otherwise, some of new categories are incorrect.Biophys (talk) 14:00, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

Dejevsky's opinion

What exactly is deflamatory in a positive statement such as Mr Goldfarb expertly fronted a publicity campaign (opinion of the Independent chief editorial writer)? Is it inflammatory to say that he did a good job? Also, the Litvinenko incident really is something Goldfarb is famous for - this is probably the event he received the most publicity for in mainstream media. Thus, it is an important and relevant part of his biography. I really cannot see any WP:BLP violation in the above statement. Offliner (talk) 05:02, 12 April 2009 (UTC)

This is a classic well poisoning. What factual information about Goldfarb this statement provides? "Expertly fronted" hints to some kind of a front organization or a conspiracy, without any proof. He fronted a campaign by Berezovsky means he did not do it himself, but worked for someone else. This is again without any proof. Goldfard was simply a friend of Litvinenko, and he did not hide this.Biophys (talk) 20:26, 12 April 2009 (UTC)

Well the front organisation is the International Foundation for Civil Liberties, which the article already states he heads for Berezovsky. As to what factual information, it provides well-sourced and attributed opinion that Goldfarb headed the PR effort in relation to Litvinenko, in conjunction with Lord Bell. If there is a problem with Dejevsky's opinion (which there isn't), more sources can easily be provided from a range of sources which state exactly that. Here's one source which is appropriately entitled "All roads lead back to Berezovsky". Or this. Also, it was Goldfarb who helped Litvinenko escape via Turkey, even though there is little evidence that Goldfarb knew Litvinenko, and it is widely accepted that this assistance was provided on behalf of Berezovsky. I honestly am struggling to understand why information relating to their connections with Berezovsky you want removed from articles, when it is THIS connection which gives them the bulk of their notability. --Russavia ^Dialogue 20:52, 12 April 2009 (UTC)

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Subject's death cited in error !!

I am the subject of this article. The summary states that I died on January 18, 2021. The reference is to the death of my namesake. I am very much alive. Please correct. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.127.220.190 (talk) 13:52, 25 February 2021 (UTC)

Soros?

Reference 24 states “‘His involvement would also "cost him his job with George Soros.’" But the book that’s being cited provides no evidence or reason for this claim either. Can anyone provide context? 108.6.249.128 (talk) 01:29, 22 April 2022 (UTC)