FOTD Episode 11: The Trouble With Twin Studies – Does Our DNA Make Us Who We Are? (with Jay Joseph)

Twins separated at birth studies are problematic for multiple reasons.

Studies comparing twins reared together to siblings doesn’t isolate genetics because the environment is different for each sibling cohort.

A whole bunch of claims about genetics rest on these bad studies or claims that these studies don’t strongly support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoysrR7Adwk

Bad Science Revisited: “The Bell Curve” Turns 30

“we concluded that Herrnstein and Murray produced no valid evidence that genes influence within-group IQ score differences. The key evidence they cited consisted of “twins reared apart” studies and, to a lesser extent, family correlations, reared-together twin studies, and adoption studies. Aided by concepts developed in science’s ongoing “replication crisis,” we argued that the genetic findings reported in these studies do not hold up under critical examination due to environmental confounding, a reliance on uncertain or false assumptions and concepts, the use of questionable research practices (QRPs), and other problem areas. In the language of psychometrics and behavioral genetics, we argued that Herrnstein and Murray presented no valid evidence in support of above-zero IQ heritability. This conclusion, of course, automatically invalidates claims about genetic group differences.”

https://www.madinamerica.com/2024/03/bad-science-bell-curve/

There’s ‘something’ wrong with Donald Trump: John Bolton

Man who worked with Trump in his first term explains that Trump is not qualified to be president. He isn’t interested in policy, he doesn’t read his briefings, he’s vulnerable to being manipulated by praise, and he’s not concerned about the world but just about himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBIRPVUkWBA

Former national security adviser says Trump can be manipulated with flattery

“H.R. McMaster, former national security adviser to former President Donald Trump,..said that Trump needs “a competent team around him” because he is susceptible to being manipulated.”

“He added of the Republican presidential nominee: “People know kind of how to push his buttons, especially buttons associated with maintaining the complete support of his political base.””

“In an excerpt published in the Wall Street Journal, McMaster lamented how Russian President Vladimir Putin pushed Trump’s buttons: “Putin, a ruthless former KGB operator, played to Trump’s ego and insecurities with flattery.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/25/mcmaster-trump-russia-putin-manipulate-00176287