John Benning

We're excited to share the final version of our paper, where we demonstrate how confounding remains a thorny problem for claims about causal genetic influences on human behavioral and socioeconomic outcomes. (w/ @jedidiahcarlson.com @oliviarxiv.bsky.social Ruth Shaw @arbelharpak.bsky.social) 🧵👇

We are concerned that a publishing culture which rewards sensationalism may drive a decline in standards of rigor. In that respect, everyone has a role to play: it is crucial that researchers, reviewers and editors uphold high standards in their handling of these issues.

We're excited to share the final version of our paper, where we demonstrate how confounding remains a thorny problem for claims about causal genetic influences on human behavioral and socioeconomic outcomes. (w/ @jedidiahcarlson.com @oliviarxiv.bsky.social Ruth Shaw @arbelharpak.bsky.social) 🧵👇

(iii) how confounding is obscured or even leveraged in a broader class of contemporary genetic studies. In particular, we discuss where claims about genetic causality may reach beyond the evidence.

We're excited to share the final version of our paper, where we demonstrate how confounding remains a thorny problem for claims about causal genetic influences on human behavioral and socioeconomic outcomes. (w/ @jedidiahcarlson.com @oliviarxiv.bsky.social Ruth Shaw @arbelharpak.bsky.social) 🧵👇

(i) a study by Clark (2023) suggesting that patterns of similarity in social status between relatives indicate that social status is largely determined by one’s DNA

We're excited to share the final version of our paper, where we demonstrate how confounding remains a thorny problem for claims about causal genetic influences on human behavioral and socioeconomic outcomes. (w/ @jedidiahcarlson.com @oliviarxiv.bsky.social Ruth Shaw @arbelharpak.bsky.social) 🧵👇

Full OA paper here: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

I am the most recent white male evolutionary biologist hired at Cornell. I’d like to provide essential context for readers mulling over Colin Wright’s commentary, “Cornell University discriminated against me.” 🧵

These facts should be considered when evaluating Dr. Wright’s claims of oppression. These views are my own and do not represent Cornell University.

I am the most recent white male evolutionary biologist hired at Cornell. I’d like to provide essential context for readers mulling over Colin Wright’s commentary, “Cornell University discriminated against me.” 🧵

In early 2020, Pruitt — Wright’s PhD advisor — was accused of scientific fraud and later found by his university to have engaged in multiple instances of data falsification and fabrication. “Spidergate” was the biggest scandal our field has weathered.

I am the most recent white male evolutionary biologist hired at Cornell. I’d like to provide essential context for readers mulling over Colin Wright’s commentary, “Cornell University discriminated against me.” 🧵

His CV certainly demonstrates potential. But “top in [his] field”? You would be hard pressed to find a domain expert who agrees with that claim.

I am the most recent white male evolutionary biologist hired at Cornell. I’d like to provide essential context for readers mulling over Colin Wright’s commentary, “Cornell University discriminated against me.” 🧵

I personally know two other white male evolutionary biologists hired by Cornell within the last two years. People unfamiliar with EEB often do not realize how competitive the job market is.

I am the most recent white male evolutionary biologist hired at Cornell. I’d like to provide essential context for readers mulling over Colin Wright’s commentary, “Cornell University discriminated against me.” 🧵

Published an op-ed in my hometown paper, advocating for the continued funding of American Science. johnbenning.net/2025/08/01/a...

Part of the Science Homecoming initiative: sciencehomecoming.com @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social

PSA for ppl sympathetic to hereditarian arguments: it should give you pause that of the academics ascribing to genetic determinism, few are biologists. Exceedingly few are experimental biologists. It's v hard to believe simplistic genetic narratives once you actually... 1/

...run an experiment trying to isolate genetic effects, or see how environmental context alters estimates of heritability or even the genetic architecture underlying traits. Strong environmental effects on phenotypes are the rule, not the exception, in experimental evol bio. 2/