It's crazy to me that has been accused of being "no better than a Holocaust denier" for her work on genetics! I read her new book and thought it was great.
We discussed the book - and why it makes people angry - on the latest episode of my podcast:
rationallyspeakingpodcast.org/259-the-geneti
Conversation
One of the interesting parts of the episode, IMO, is at the end when we're talking about a disagreement between Paige & her PhD mentor Eric Turkheimer, over whether it's "unscientific" to ask about genetic causes of differences in IQ between populations
Turkheimer (in Vox):
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Well when you believe intelligence to be virtue, people who also believe themselves to be egalitarians, can never admit to the fact that genes matter.
And empirical facts don't matter in regards to sacred values.
So very interesting. I want to read on the subject but I'll start on the Curbe bell since although I presume is less advanced scientifically it's maybe the starter?
Great episode! One thing I didn't understand is why adjust her point estimate of the variation in education attainment down so far from the 30% suggested by twin studies to 17% on the basis of polygenic score evidence.
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I'll listen to the episode but having followed the conversation I expect to see Dr. Hardin knocking down straw men. I hate to sound harsh because she's been nice to me on twitter in the past but there are good reasons why people are frustrated with her line of inquiry.
It was a great conversation. Thanks for having her on! Would you consider inviting Robert Plomin on to present a different interpretation and/or emphasis to the data?
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I don't think her work really focuses on g / IQ though? The education polygenic index is a collection of genes that predict educational success, via lots of pathways. I assume some of those pathways are related to IQ but I don't think Paige studies them specifically
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It's sad that blank slate progressives still brand everyone in behavioural genetics (BG) as a 'eugenicist' but Harden throws the term around pretty casually herself! But there are other reasons to view the book as potentially dangerous. Here's my own take:
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