Quillette Podcast Is There a Politically Motivated ‘War on Science’? (And If So, Who’s Waging It?)
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Nov 1, 2025 
Join renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist Lawrence Krauss as he delves into the ideological threats facing the scientific community. Krauss shares examples of 'wokeness' infiltrating hard sciences and the fears that silence academics. He discusses his anthology project, showcasing diverse perspectives on these issues, and debates whether recent initiatives truly support or undermine meritocracy in science. The conversation also touches on how historical barriers and recent events like the George Floyd protests have shaped current dynamics in academia.
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Academic Fear Threatens Inquiry
- Lawrence Krauss argues that fear of expressing dissent in academia signals a deep problem undermining scientific inquiry.
- He assembled diverse scholars to publicly challenge ideological conformity and restore open debate.
From Mockery To Unsettling Adoption
- Krauss recalls mocking 1990s deconstructionism as divorced from scientific reality.
- He later found similar ideas entering hard-science journals, surprising him as a physicist.
Symbolic Claims Signal Overreach
- Krauss cites examples like an APS article labeling whiteboards as 'white supremacy' to show ideological overreach.
- These symbolic framings, he says, reveal how identity politics can infiltrate scientific culture.
