Published Apr 8, 2021

How Science Created Morons

Wendy Zukerman delves into the chilling history of eugenics, unraveling the tragic impact of pseudoscientific labels through Emma Wolverton's story, debunking the misleading Kalakac family myth, and examining how these dangerous ideas shaped laws and influenced Nazi ideology.

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Episode Highlights

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How Science Created Morons

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Emma's Story Unveiled

Eugenics in America

Family Tree Revelations

Eugenics Legacy Unraveled

Family Tree Unraveled

Emma's Intelligence Test

The Calicac Family

Emma Wolverton's Life

Eugenics Influence

Heartbreaking Misdiagnosis

Genetic Theory Origins

Challenging Labels

Misconceptions Debunked

Episode Highlights

Personal Stories and Impact

Kalakac Family Myth

Eugenics Impact

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How Science Created Morons

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Personal Stories and ImpactCarl Zimmer and Prof. J. David Smith unravel the story of Emma Wolverton, a central figure in the eugenics narrative. Her life and the labels imposed on her reveal the dangerous implications of pseudoscientific ideas.

Personal Stories and Impact

Kalakac Family MythThe Kalakac family myth, propagated by Henry Goddard, falsely linked feeble-mindedness to genetics, influencing early 20th-century science and culture. Prof. J. David Smith later debunked this narrative, revealing the inaccuracies and biases in Goddard's work.

Kalakac Family Myth

Eugenics ImpactThe episode explores how eugenics, once supported by prominent figures, led to sterilization laws in America and influenced Nazi ideology. Carl Zimmer and Prof. J. David Smith discuss the far-reaching implications of these pseudoscientific ideas.

Eugenics Impact

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