Polite Conversations
Polite Conversations
Eiynah Mohammed-Smith
Fashademics 4 - Charles Murray & The Pioneer Fund
58 minutes Posted Aug 24, 2026 at 4:00 am.
0:00
58:53
Download MP3
Show notes

If you enjoy the show pls consider supporting via patreon.com/nicemangos

——

Polite Conversations is part of a progressive independent Canadian podcast community Check out Harbinger media at  Harbingermedianetwork.com

——


On this episode I’m joined by Jon Phillips, Historian of Science, who has done work for the SPLC covering scientific racism. (Find him on Bsky @jowiph.bsky.social)


This conversation delves into the topic of race ‘science’ — primarily via skull measuring enthusiast, Charles Murray. We discuss the significance and impact of his larger project, his rhetorical tactics, the tainted sources in The Bell Curve …as well as Murray’s association with The Pioneer Fund and more.


We dive into the overlaps between the world of scientific racism and New Atheism. Sam Harris’ attempts to rehabilitate and mainstream Murray’s pseudoscience is also a recurring topic throughout the episode. And we discuss the far-right non-profit foundation The Pioneer Fund in more detail, we examine its links to research on eugenics, race ‘science’ and extremist views.


Links:


Find the Extended version of this episode here: https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/fashademics-4-167414020?pr=true&forSale=true

The Tainted Sources of ‘The Bell Curve’ (1994) https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1994/12/01/the-tainted-sources-of-the-bell-curve/

Archived 1994 article that is mentioned in this episode https://web.archive.org/web/20110129125309/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/magazine/daring-research-or-social-science-pornography-charles-murray.html

Hope Not Hate investigation into the race ‘science’ movement https://investigations.hopenothate.org.uk/race-science-inc/?utm_source=main_website&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=hub_page

A new book on race and evolution by noted science writer Nicholas Wade legitimizes racist and anti-Semitic theories. (2014) https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/troublesome-sources/

Journals that published Richard Lynn’s racist ‘research’ articles should retract them (2024) https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/20/richard-lynn-racist-research-articles-journals-retractions/

Adrianne Black https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrianne_Black (previously known as Derek Black)


Polite Conversations Race ‘science’ panel episodes mentioned in this chat:


Ad-free Patreon versions:

Pt 1 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/ep-82-race-pt-1-110461457/edit

Pt 2 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/race-science-pt-110534234/edit

Pt 3 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/race-science-pt-110539173/edit


Public versions (Full Episodes)

Pt 1 https://spotify.link/otjmpUOgOXb

Pt 2 https://spotify.link/7l3SgcUgOXb

Pt 3 https://spotify.link/Jqw8rqWgOXb


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.