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Human Zoos

Human Zoos tells the shocking story of how thousands of indigenous peoples were put on public display in America in the early decades of the twentieth century. Often touted as “missing links” between man and apes, these native peoples were harassed and demeaned. Their public display was arranged with the enthusiastic support of the most elite members of the scientific Read More ›

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John West participating in post-screening discussion at First Baptist Church, Athens, TX.

Seeking Racial Reconciliation in the Heart of Texas at a Screening of Human Zoos

On a cold but sunny Sunday afternoon on Martin Luther King Day weekend, I found myself deep in the heart of Texas. I was visiting the town of Athens, 73 miles southeast of Dallas, for a screening of my documentary Human Zoos at First Baptist Church. The film has just been posted to YouTube after previously being shown on cable television and released on DVD, Blu-ray, and Amazon Prime. Human Zoos communicates Read More ›

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Code of Ethics neon sign
Photo by Nathan Dumlao at Unsplash

AI: Think About Ethics Before Trouble Arises

To love mercy sometimes means to give up efficiency. It could mean losing a few points of model accuracy by refusing to take into account features that invade privacy or are proxies for race, leading to discriminatory model behavior. But that’s OK. The merciful are willing to give up some of their rights and advantages so they can help others. Read More ›
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Multiethnic school kids using computer in classroom at elementary school. Portrait of arab boy looking at camera in a computer room. Smiling primary student in a row using desktop pc in class room.

Can an Algorithm Be Racist?

It’s tempting to assume that a villain lurks behind such a scene when the exact opposite is the problem: A system dominated by machines is all calculations, not thoughts, intentions, or choices. If the input is wrong, so is the output. Read More ›
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Human Zoos Showing at Kennedy-King College

With Screenings in Chicago, New Documentary Human Zoos Prompts Discussion, Debate

Discovery Institute Senior Fellow John West was in the Chicago area this past week for public screenings of his new documentary Human Zoos at Wheaton College, Olivet Nazarene University, and Kennedy-King College, as well as for the taping of a local TV show about the film. Read More ›
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Remembering Eleanore Roosevelt with Patrica Baillargeon

Remembering Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the most consequential figures in American politics and international relations over the past century. Here, Discovery Institute Chairman Bruce Chapman interviews Mrs. Roosevelt’s former assistant, Patricia Baillargeon. Ms. Baillargeon gives a first-hand account of someone who sees Eleanor Roosevelt from the standpoint of history, but also from that of personal friendship.

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About 300 Stanford students converged on downtown Palo Alto today and briefly shut down University Avenue with a die-in, to protest the unjust decision in Ferguson.
Photo by Paul George via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Protesting for Disruption’s Sake

Disruption can be an effective protest tactic if limited and carefully targeted. But disruption seems to have been the ultimate purpose of the recent “Ferguson” eruptions — and I am referring not to the rioters but to the nonviolent marchers who closed down bridges, stopped trains, and blocked traffic. We all know why the protesters are upset. Grand juries refused Read More ›

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The Biology of the Second Reich

This award-winning 14-minute documentary tells the little-known story of the influence of Social Darwinism on German militarism leading up to World War 1, including an exploration of the German military’s genocidal policies in Southwest Africa (modern Namibia). The video features the work of California State University historian Richard Weikart, author of the book From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics, Read More ›

Biology of the Second Reich - Trailer

Biology of the Second Reich Trailer

Trailer for the upcoming documentary The Biology of the Second Reich featuring historian Richard Weikart. Learn more at www.darwintohitler.com