Did the Hoax Prove Postmodernism Was Empty?

Before there was the War on Science, there were the Science Wars. In the 1990’s, the Science Wars were a set of debates about the nature of science and its place in a democratic society. This little-known and long-forgotten academic squabble became surprisingly contentious, culminating in an audacious hoax. Today, some scholars say the Science Wars might just explain how we got our ‘post-truth’ moment. To figure out if they’re right, we go back to the beginning.

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You can also find related materials on our website, citedpodcast.com. Including an essay on the science wars from Gordon Katic.

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This episode was produced by Gordon Katic. Editing from Sam Fenn.

Our theme song and original music is by our composer, Mike Barber. Dakota Koop is our graphic designer. Our production manager is David Tobiasz, and executive producers are Gordon Katic and Sam Fenn.

Cited is funded in part by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council. This part of a wider project looking at the politics of science in post-truth times. The project was advised by Dr. Dave Ng at the University of British Columbia’s Michael Smith Labs. With further research advising from Professors Alan Richardson and Heather Douglas.

Cited is produced out of the Centre of Ethics at the University of Toronto, which is on the traditional land of Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples. Cited is also produced out of the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia — that’s on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.