Superior

Superior by Angela Saini delves into the controversial and complex world of race science, uncovering its troubling history and its very real impact on contemporary society. The book takes readers on a journey from the Enlightenment period, where pseudoscientific theories about racial superiority began to take hold, to the present day, revealing how these misconceptions have infiltrated scientific discourse, despite repeated debunking. Saini meticulously examines how the idea of race as a biological fact continues to persist in some corners of the scientific community, even as the majority of researchers recognize it as a social construct with no genetic basis.

This engaging narrative weaves together science reporting, cultural criticism, and personal reflection, making it accessible to both laypersons and experts. Saini brings to light the concerted efforts by intellectual racists and segregationists to prop up discredited theories through the creation of research networks and publications. She investigates the influence these skewed studies have had over decades, culminating in works like Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray’s controversial book, The Bell Curve, which attempted to correlate race with intelligence.

As Saini unpacks the complexities of human variation, she highlights how outdated concepts of race continue to inform studies on human biodiversity. She criticises the tendency of some scientists to interpret data through a racial lens, despite growing evidence that such interpretations are not scientifically valid. The author also explores the societal implications of these flawed theories, which are often used to justify racialised health disparities and socio-economic inequalities.

Superior is a timely and imperative read, particularly in an era where racialized nationalism is on the rise globally. Saini’s exhaustive research serves as a powerful reminder of the unity of humankind on a biological level, and the dangers of allowing outdated and debunked ideologies to influence and shape public and scientific thought.

This book is not only a critique of race science but also a call to action, urging scientific communities and the public alike to remain vigilant against allowing these divisive and erroneous beliefs to regain legitimacy. Saini’s work stands as an important testament to the need for continued scrutiny and rejection of race-based pseudoscience, advocating for a future where science truly reflects the equality that exists among all humans.