Better Than Bobby Fischer Danny Rensch never became the world’s greatest chess player. But his improbable rise from traumatised cult child to dot-com wunderkind represents an even more impressive achievement.

Danny Rensch never became the world’s greatest chess player. But his improbable rise from traumatised cult child to dot-com wunderkind represents an even more impressive achievement.

How Intrasexual Competition Suppresses Female Fertility with Dr Dani Sulikowski In this conversation, Dr Dani Sulikowski discusses the complex dynamics of fertility decline, intrasexual competition, and the influence of feminism on reproductive choices. The discussion explores how societal wealth, cultural narratives, and elite influences shape women's decisions regarding motherhood and career, ultimately impacting birth rates. Dani emphasizes the evolutionary psychology behind these trends and the need to understand these dynamics to address the pressing issue of declining fertility rates. In this conversation, Zoe Booth and Dani explore the complex dynamics of reproductive choices, societal trends, and the implications of masculinity and femininity in contemporary relationships. They discuss the reproductive trends among women in leadership, the impact of societal narratives on male preferences, and the rise of male subcultures. The conversation also delves into the moral dilemmas surrounding surrogacy and abortion, the anti-human sentiment prevalent in society, and the urgent need for cultural shifts to address declining fertility rates. Ultimately, they reflect on the future of societal structures and the importance of understanding these dynamics for the well-being of future generations. 00:00 Understanding Competitive Reproduction 07:07 Intrasexual Competition and Its Implications 10:40 The Psychological Impact of Reproductive Choices 14:17 Cultural Narratives and Feminism's Role 18:09 The Societal Shift in Reproductive Norms 28:27 The Evolution of Reproductive Strategies 32:41 The Rise of Female Influence in Society 38:05 The Evolutionary Perspective on Reproductive Success 43:58 Social Policing and Female Dynamics 49:33 The Role of Men in Modern Reproductive Trends 58:10 Surrogacy and Reproductive Choices 01:00:34 The Complexities of Surrogacy 01:04:31 Evolving Perspectives on Abortion 01:07:58 The Dark Side of Abortion Narratives 01:13:00 Anti-Human Sentiments and Societal Norms 01:20:07 Understanding Female Behavior and Criticism 01:26:21 The Importance of Fertility Rates 01:33:19 Cultural Shifts and Societal Change ----- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, How Intrasexual Competition Suppresses Female Fertility with Dr Dani Sulikowski

No, You Don’t Have a Disorder, You Have Feelings When we construe normal feeling as illness, we offer people an understanding of themselves as disordered. This encourages people to be stuck in a limiting narrative.

When we construe normal feeling as illness, we offer people an understanding of themselves as disordered. This encourages people to be stuck in a limiting narrative.

Harassing the mods into banning someone has never worked. And harassing people in general has never changed their mind.

I heard we can now get WAFFLES on this website.

A Heterodox Education The Constance Holden Memorial Address, 2025.

Fascinating account by @clairelehmann.bsky.social of an intellectual journey from postmodern humanities to enlightenment science.

quillette.com/2025/08/05/a...

Author Nev March on Parsi Identity, Zoroastrianism, and the Legacy of "Murder in Old Bombay" In this episode, Iona Italia speaks with author Nev March, whose award-winning mystery series—beginning with Murder in Old Bombay—explores themes of race, religion, and belonging through the lens of Parsi and Anglo-Indian characters. As members of the small but influential Parsi community—descendants of Persian Zoroastrians who fled to India—Iona and Nev reflect on: The rich history and evolving identity of the Parsis The community’s contributions to Indian culture Controversies around who qualifies as Parsi, especially for women The impact of colonial-era court cases and ongoing gender discrimination Nev’s work with the diaspora through ZAGNY And the inspiration behind her novels This wide-ranging conversation blends personal insight with historical depth, examining what the future may hold for a once-thriving community. 00:00 Understanding Parsi Identity and History 05:14 The Parsi Community's Role in Indian History 10:27 Cultural Adaptation and Economic Success of Parsis 15:49 Parsi Identity: Shifts from Matrilineal to Patrilineal 21:08 Contemporary Challenges for Parsi Women 34:03 Cultural Laws and Intermarriage Challenges 35:24 Community Initiatives for Inclusion 38:11 Landmark Cases Affecting Parsi Women 40:26 Discrimination in Parsi Law 44:20 The Impact of Patriarchal Structures 47:23 The Role of Agyaris and Community Access 50:26 The Abandonment of Jury Trials in India 54:48 The Future of Parsi Identity and Gender Equality ------- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Author Nev March on Parsi Identity, Zoroastrianism, and the Legacy of "Murder in Old Bombay"

In Hereditary and Midsommar, Aster's characters search for their place in the world—and can only find it by embracing evil.

Zohran Mamdani’s brand of socialism appeals to the luxury beliefs of New York’s middle classes. If his preferred policies are implemented, New Yorkers will suffer—and the poorest of them will be most impacted.

The inaugural Heterodox Social Science conference was a roaring success with loads of fun!

The discipline of English literature seems unlikely to survive the coming technological tsunami—and maybe it doesn’t deserve to. And I say this as a professor of English, who believes in the power of the written word.

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Ellie Avishai—who recently lost her affiliated position at UATX after she pushed back against the school’s strident anti-DEI messaging.

Is the University Of Austin Betraying Its Free-Speech Principles? Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Ellie Avishai—who recently lost her affiliated position at UATX after she pushed back against the school’s strident anti-DEI messaging.

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Ellie Avishai—who recently lost her affiliated position at UATX after she pushed back against the school’s strident anti-DEI messaging.

Inside the identity crisis in anti-woke media Donald Trump has taken their positions on many of their favored issues, but is pursuing their goals with the illiberal tactics they’d abhorred.

"Going thru not being audience -captured requires some pain. Our mission has always been the same,and that's like we criticize anti enlightenment thinking & illiberalism where we see it. It’s just that it’s more salient in different areas at different points in time.” www.semafor.com/article/05/2...

Am quoted in this piece about anti-woke media in @semafor.com
www.semafor.com/article/05/2...

Inside the identity crisis in anti-woke media Donald Trump has taken their positions on many of their favored issues, but is pursuing their goals with the illiberal tactics they’d abhorred.

🟡 NEW: Inside the identity crisis in anti-woke media
www.semafor.com/article/05/2...

Student scapegoats
quillette.com/2025/05/23/s...

As Claire Lehmann wrote for The Dispatch last week, a lot of the stupider fights in politics these days are a function of the fact that we live in a post-literate age, where people form their opinions based on video snippets and risible social media posts. It’s easy to think the other side is idiotic, venal, or demonic if your only source of information is people who have a vested interest in you thinking that.

"It’s easy to think the other side is idiotic, venal, or demonic if your only source of information is people who have a vested interest in you thinking that."
— Jonah Goldberg, The Dispatch
thedispatch.com/newsletter/g...

Claire Lehmann on The Psychology Behind Wokeness Yascha Mounk and Claire Lehmann also discuss sex differences.

Insightful! More of this!

Claire Lehmann on The Psychology Behind Wokeness yaschamounk.substack.com/p/claire-leh...

(The "left-illiberalism spreading since 2018, 2019, 2020" surely also fuelled most leftist's refusal to condemn China's genocide. This remains unexplored & unexplained. )

The Mars Vanity Project Elon Musk’s Mars plans are not just illusory, they are dangerous.

Musk's Mars mission plans won't work, argues Lawrence M Krauss, and worse than that they are dangerous.

(Me, I'd just send robots. Humans aren't designed for space travel.)

quillette.com/2025/05/19/t...

Just saw someone post a Quillette piece. What a not fun blast from the past

Is the University Of Austin Betraying Its Founding Principles? Created as a haven for free thinkers, UATX was the last place where I’d expected to encounter ideological litmus tests.

every word of this is incredible quillette.com/2025/05/16/i...

Laura Loomer & @LauraLoomer Subscribe I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400 million "gift" from jihadists in suits. The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border. This is really going to be such a stain on the admin if this is true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump.

Laura Loomer comes out against the Qatar 747 gift.

An outbreak of measles—a disease once declared eliminated in the U.S.—has hospitalized 91 people in Texas, killing two unvaccinated school-aged children. It is a horrific disease: In severe cases, a child’s immune system collapses, and they suffer seizures and brain damage from encephalitis or drown as fluid fills their lungs. And any outbreak of measles is entirely preventable. The first vaccine was introduced 62 years ago, and vaccination saved an estimated 60 million lives between 2000 and 2023 alone. Measles epidemics once represented a public health crisis, but today the disease represents a different kind of affliction—one that is both psychological and cultural in nature, and one that is surprisingly resistant to intervention.

Feelings, Facts, and Our Crisis of Truth

What we lose when the rigor of science and journalism give way to an aural and visual narrative culture.

By Claire Lehmann
Published May 9, 2025
@thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

Feelings, Facts, and Our Crisis of Truth What we lose when the rigor of science and journalism give way to an aural and visual narrative culture.

“Sharing knowledge via the written word enhances the accuracy of the transmitted information, whereas oral reinterpretations lend themselves to inefficiency and error.”

Claire Lehmann on the consequences of living in a postliterate society thedispatch.com/article/feel...

Podcast #284: Lessons from the Luddites on Adapting to AI Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Washington Post columnist and TED Talker Megan McArdle about the short-term pain—and long-term gain—heralded by the AI revolution.

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Washington Post columnist and TED Talker Megan McArdle about the short-term pain—and long-term gain—heralded by the AI revolution.

Podcast #280: The Trouble with Tariffs Iona Italia talks to John H. Cochrane aka "The Grumpy Economist" about the motivations, effects and implications of Donald Trump's economic policies.

Iona Italia talks to John H. Cochrane aka "The Grumpy Economist" about the motivations, effects and implications of Donald Trump's economic policies.

If ‘Woke’ Puritanism Is the Disease, Trump’s Amoral Populism Isn’t the Cure Valid critiques of progressive moralism have devolved into an embrace of anything-goes strongman rule.

Valid critiques of progressive moralism have devolved into an embrace of anything-goes strongman rule.

A Hollow Kind of Patriotism The economic and geopolitical consequences of America First nationalism are going to be disastrous—not least for Americans themselves.

The economic and geopolitical consequences of America First nationalism are going to be disastrous—not least for Americans themselves.

Border Wars and the Return of Fear The new European commitment to defence and Russia’s unshakeable wish to control Ukraine have revived an awareness that war is something with which comfortable and relatively wealthy states may still have to live.

The new European commitment to defence and Russia’s unshakeable wish to control Ukraine have revived an awareness that war is something with which comfortable and relatively wealthy states may still have to live.