Charles Murray, a distinguished public intellectual and scholar, reflects on his 50 years of insights into American society. He discusses the striking cultural and political shifts over the past two decades, particularly the influence of social media and evolving race relations. Murray also addresses the challenges facing the working class in the age of AI, critiques higher education's value, and discusses the complexities of immigration policy. He candidly explores the taboos surrounding discussions of group differences in cognitive performance and the potential future of America's demographic landscape.
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insights INSIGHT
Decline of Libertarianism
Charles Murray reflects on the decline of libertarian ideas in the public square since the 1990s.
He notes the unexpected rise of social media and its pervasive cultural effects.
insights INSIGHT
Shifting Race Relations
Both Razib Khan and Charles Murray agree on the stark change in race relations since 2012.
They discuss the rise in perceived racial discord, amplified by media and social media.
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Second Term
Charles Murray observes Trump's increased energy and focus in his second term compared to his first.
He expresses cautious optimism about potential positive impacts, but also acknowledges concerns about bureaucratic resistance.
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Why Relationships End and How to Live Through the Ending of Yours
Daphne Rose Kingma
In 'Coming Apart,' Daphne Rose Kingma provides a refreshing perspective on relationships by arguing that relationships are not always meant to be forever. She suggests that relationships serve as vehicles for personal growth and development, and their endings are often a natural part of this process. Kingma explains that people choose relationships based on their developmental needs, which are rooted in childhood experiences. The book offers practical advice and a process for working through the ending of a relationship, including a personal workbook to help readers heal and move forward. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the lessons learned from each relationship and finding joy and appreciation in the experiences shared with partners.
Losing ground
American social policy, 1950-1980
Charles Murray
In 'Losing Ground,' Charles A. Murray argues that the ambitious social programs of the 1960s and 1970s, intended to alleviate poverty, actually made matters worse for their supposed beneficiaries. Murray contends that increased government spending on welfare led to higher unemployment, declining education quality, increased crime, and the breakdown of families. He suggests that these programs created incentives for behaviors that were destructive in the long term and advocates for the abolition of certain welfare programs and a return to more traditional social policies.
What It Means to Be a Libertarian
What It Means to Be a Libertarian
Charles Murray
The Bell Curve
Charles Murray
Human Accomplishment
Charles Murray
Charles Murray's "Human Accomplishment" is a comprehensive study of human achievement across various fields, including science, art, literature, and philosophy. Murray uses a unique methodology to identify the most influential figures in history, based on the length and frequency of their mentions in encyclopedias worldwide. The book presents a fascinating overview of human progress and the distribution of exceptional talent across different cultures and time periods. Murray's analysis challenges conventional narratives and sparks debate about the factors that contribute to human achievement. The book is a valuable resource for those interested in history, sociology, and the study of human potential.
On this episode of Unsupervised Learning, friend of the podcast, Charles Murray returns to chat with Razib again. Murray has been a public intellectual and scholar since the 1970’s. He is the author of Losing Ground, The Bell Curve, Human Accomplishment, Real Education, Coming Apart and What it means to be a libertarianand Human Diversity, among others. Born in 1943 in Newton, Iowa, Murray has a BA from Harvard, an MA and PhD from MIT, and did a 1960’s stint in the Peace Corps in Thailand. He has held positions at the American Institutions for Research, the Manhattan Institute and the American Enterprise Institute.
More than four years after their last conversation, and seven years after his official retirement, Murray reflects with Razib on where he sees America going in the next decade, and what has surprised him about the last 25 years. Razib asks what it is like to be a long-standing “Never Trump conservative” and a libertarian in Trump’s populist America. They also discuss the end of the “awokening” that began in the mid-2010s, and whether Murray’s long exile from notice and acknowledgement from mainstream opinion-leaders and tastemakers is at an end. Murray also addresses the ideological fractures he sees on the right, and how America will deal with the last generation of mass immigration that has altered the US’ demographic balance. They also discuss how taboo it still is to talk about group differences in cognitive performance, and whether America will be able to face the reality of demographics and the social consequences thereof in the 21st century.
Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning 
