Cover of The Genetic Lottery

Book · 2021 · Biology

The Genetic Lottery

Why DNA Matters for Social Equality

by Kathryn Paige Harden · Recommended by 3 people on 2 podcasts

Why people recommend it

The Genetic Lottery by Kathryn Paige Harden is an examination of behavioral genetics that explores how biological inheritance intersects with social equality and public policy. Angela Duckworth recommended the book on No Stupid Questions, urging listeners to develop a more sophisticated understanding of genetics beyond superficial summaries. Macken Murphy and Chris Williamson discussed the book across several episodes of Modern Wisdom, acknowledging Paige Harden as a prominent behavioral geneticist from a left-leaning political background who addresses complex topics surrounding human enhancement, social status, and behavioral traits. Williamson noted that conversations about genetic enhancement and behavioral differences frequently brought Harden's research and writing to mind, praising her background and the nuanced perspective she brings to the subject. Across these podcast appearances and recommendations, the book is highlighted as an important resource for bridging the gap between rigorous scientific research and public discourse on genetics and equality.

Who recommended it

Chris Williamson — 4 mentions
Discussed
“she uh wrote the genetic Lottery”
Discussed
“I had a conversation with Paige Harden a few years ago that wrote The Genetic Lottery. Uh Paige, very very great researcher.”
Discussed
“this conversation kind of reminds me a little bit of um Catherine page Harden's book the genetic lottery so behavioral geneticist but somebody who's from very strongly from the left”
Discussed
“I had Paige Harden on the show about a year ago she wrote the genetic Lottery Paige is interesting because she comes from a left leaning background”
Angela Duckworth — 2 mentions
Recommended
“There's a book out now; I really recommend it.”
Discussed
“The author, Paige Hardin, is a behavioral geneticist, and what she tries to communicate in this book, called 'The Genetic Lottery,' is that we have to all get a little more sophisticated about our genes and how they play out, which is possible to get from just like reading a couple paragraphs on Wikipedia.”
Macken Murphy — 1 mention
Discussed
“Paige Harden wrote 'The Genetic Lottery.'”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 1
Discussed
“I had Paige Harden on the show about a year ago she wrote the genetic Lottery”

Also mentioned in the same episodes

Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
Own book
“The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality will be linked in the show notes below.”