Quillette Cetera

Topics include the origins of Ashkenazi Jews, distinctions between Palestinian and other Arabs, the genetics of physical features like noses and eyes, the impact of inbreeding on genetics, and the uniqueness of ancestral traits in different populations.

Dara Macdonald, a lawyer and director of the Free Speech Union in Australia, discusses the need for a free speech union in the country and shares examples of free speech issues. She explains the support provided by the union and the Australian flavour it brings to the cause. Dara also talks about her background and interest in free speech, the Andrew Bolt Section 18C case, the importance of drawing the line between actions and speech, and the challenges of immigration and cultural values. She concludes by discussing the Great Misinformation Panic and the opposition to the draft law.This was recorded 13 October 2023 in Sydney, Australia.Read Dara's work in Quillette here: https://quillette.com/author/daramacdonald/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzoeuBhDqARIsAMdH14EVdHI5KK7AOI3kJSn6VRDbnKPmmsXZnWvc2EWJ7zcCkVvwEdQHssAaAihbEALw_wcBVisit the FSU Australia website here: https://freespeechunion.au/quillette Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

British-Palestinian writer and peace-activist, John Aziz, discusses his journey to supporting Zionism, the importance of empathy in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, challenges hindering peace movements, promoting stoicism in different cultures, the impact of Islam on the conflict, and the link between prosperity and violence reduction. He also explores generational shifts in perspectives on Israel and Palestine.

Oliver Traldi is a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions in the Department of Politics at Princeton University.In this episode we discuss Oliver's latest piece for Quillette, a review of the latest book by Costin Alamariu, a polarising author and influencer who enjoys a cult-like following under the pseudonym Bronze Age Pervert.Tune in for commentary on Nietzsche, Strauss, bodybuilding, feminism and the "New Right". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Limbrick is a Libertarian Member of Parliament in Victoria's upper house. He has been a Quillette reader since its inception in 2015 and came along to our Quillette Social in Melbourne in September 2023.Zoe asks David about the work he's done in pushing for a "watchful waiting" approach to treating children with gender-dysphoria in Victoria, his attendance at the Let Women Speak rally, the decriminalisation of marijuana, nuclear power, and the recent election of Javier Milei. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quillette contributor and author of Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews, David Bernstein, joins Zoe to discuss the ways antisemitism manifests on the Left and Right, and to explore how universities should promote free speech on campus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social scientist, Quillette contributor and Heterodox Academy member, Andrew Glover, joined me in September to talk about the current issues facing Australian universities when it comes to viewpoint diversity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former US Marine and forensic anthropologist Julian McBride debunks myths about the war in Gaza, highlighting Israel's evacuation orders, opening of humanitarian corridors, and plans for reconstruction. He also explores the misuse of the term 'genocide' in Gaza and Iraq war, delves into the true roots of conflicts, and debunks myths of British responsibility for tensions. McBride discusses the impact of personal history and bias on perspectives of individuals in power and shares his experience teaching and using art as a reflection of war.

Just how much cronyism exists in Australia?Is it true that younger generations are worse off economically than baby boomers?Is home-ownership good metric for economic success?Is there a perfect number of immigrants that Australia should allow in?Why is Sydney's property market so expensive?All these questions and more are answered in this episode with Dr. Cameron Murray, an economist specialising in property and urban development, environmental economics, rent-seeking and corruption.His latest book is "Rigged: How networks of powerful mates rip off everyday Australians" and is available for purchase on Amazon.His website: http://www.fresheconomicthinking.comHis Twitter: @drcameronmurray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Brooks is an evolutionary biologist who focuses on the evolutionary consequences of sexual reproduction. His areas of interest include the evolution of mate choice, the costs of being attractive, sexual conflict, the reasons animals age, and the interconnectedness of sex, diet, obesity, and mortality. Leading a dynamic research group known as the SEX LAB, Rob collaborates with other researchers to explore the evolutionary and ecological implications of sexual reproduction. His work is primarily curiosity-driven and often funded by fundamental research programs like the ARC's Discovery program. Rob is motivated to study evolution because of its power to illuminate both nature and the human condition. Currently, he is especially interested in the interplay between evolution and economics, human life histories, sex differences in aging and longevity, the escalating obesity crisis, the relationship between evolution and equity feminism, the evolution of human physiques, the cultural role of Rock 'n' Roll, and the limitations of drawing moral conclusions from the natural world.Rob's first book, "Sex, Genes & Rock 'n' Roll: How Evolution has Shaped the Modern World," received the 2012 Queensland Literary Award for Science Writing. He also writes a regular column for The Conversation called "Natural History of the Present," which explores how an evolutionary view can enrich our understanding of the modern world and the human experience. In recognition of his contributions to science communication, Rob was awarded the 2013 Eureka Prize for Communicating Science & Research.His research primarily involves model organisms like guppies, field crickets, and mice, although he also has ongoing projects involving human subjects. Rob currently holds the position of Professor of Evolution and Director of the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. The public is invited to participate in various studies led by his team.Check out Rob Brooks' writing for Quillette here: https://quillette.com/author/rob/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices