23andYou: The 269th Evolutionary Lens with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying
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Mar 26, 2025
Delve into the implications of 23andMe's looming bankruptcy and its impact on data privacy. Explore the complex relationship between genetic testing and personal identity, emphasizing emotional ties over mere biological connections. Discuss the troubling rise of anti-Semitism in contemporary contexts and its political ramifications. Reflect on the evolving landscape of free speech in academia, especially amidst federal funding pressures. Lastly, take a humorous look at Teflon pans before transitioning to serious conversations on ethical data practices.
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insights INSIGHT
23andMe's Business Model
23andMe's low DNA sequencing price suggests their business model was data collection, not testing.
This raises concerns about data security, especially after their bankruptcy filing.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Data Privacy Concerns
Be wary of companies offering services at prices too good to be true; they may profit from your data.
Carefully consider the implications before sharing personal information, especially genetic data.
insights INSIGHT
Genetic Ancestry vs. Cultural Heritage
Genetic ancestry information is often overblown and less meaningful than family stories and cultural heritage.
Genomes are constantly shuffled, making distant ancestry connections tenuous and less relevant.
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This book, written by evolutionary biologists Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein, addresses the disconnect between human evolutionary history and the challenges of modern life. It explains how the rapid rate of change in the modern world has outpaced the ability of our brains and bodies to adapt, leading to issues such as widespread sleep deprivation, dangerous diets, damaging parenting styles, and backward education practices. The authors draw on decades of research and experiences from biodiverse ecosystems to provide a science-based perspective that aims to empower readers to live better, wiser lives.
In this week’s episode, we discuss 23andMe – what does its impending bankruptcy mean for data security, and why did people think their genetic data were secure before the company went into bankruptcy? As we protect existing rights laid out in the Constitution, we also need to innovate new protections in a world with new threats and possibilities. Going back to what was will not be sufficient. Then: Bobby Kennedy Jr. and anti-Semitism; and Columbia University’s response to the Trump administration as it tries to hang on to $400 million dollars in annual federal funding. Finally: it’s five years since our first Evolutionary Lens livestream—what did we say in that first episode? Were we right, or were we wrong?
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