Episode 260: The Genius Myth (with Helen Lewis)

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.

This book delves into the genetic story of humans, exploring how genomics rewrites our understanding of history, from the Out of Africa hypothesis to modern genetic discoveries. It discusses topics like Neanderthal interbreeding, the myth of race, and the complexities of genetic inheritance. Rutherford presents complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner.

The Mismeasure of Man is a critical examination of the statistical methods and cultural motivations underlying biological determinism. Gould challenges the traditional concept of intelligence as a single, measurable quantity and critiques the historical use of psychometrics and IQ tests. He argues that these methods are flawed due to reification and ranking, and that they have been used to justify social inequalities and racist ideologies. The book also includes a critique of Samuel George Morton's craniometry and later editions address Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray's book The Bell Curve.