The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss

Elizabeth Weiss: Indigenous Myths and Cancel Culture vs Science in Anthropology

Feb 28, 2025
Elizabeth Weiss, an anthropologist and author of "On the Warpath," advocates for keeping ideology out of science. She discusses the absurdities in anthropology, like a session on skeleton sex being canceled due to gender debates. Weiss addresses the complications of repatriating ancient bones to tenuous genetic descendants, and how she lost her curatorial position over her stance. She critiques the mix of modern myth with scientific inquiry, emphasizing the need for open dialogue in the face of cancel culture and academic censorship.
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ANECDOTE

Childhood and Family

  • Elizabeth Weiss's father, being retired army, moved her family frequently.
  • Born in San Francisco, she lived in Turkey, Germany, Argentina, and other locations.
ANECDOTE

Early Interests

  • Weiss's mother, a physician's assistant, shared her interest in anatomy and human evolution.
  • This fostered Weiss's early fascination with skeletal models and anatomical toys.
ADVICE

Parental Encouragement

  • Pursue your passions.
  • Weiss's parents instilled in her and her siblings to follow their interests, whether science or literature.
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