Garth Zietsman
Garth Zietsman is a professional statistician who initially focused on psychological and social research at the Human Sciences Research Council, followed by banking and economics, and then medical research. Some of his research has appeared in academic journals. He has wide interests, with an emphasis on the social (including economics and politics) and life (mostly evolution, health and fitness) sciences, and philosophy. He has been involved with groups advocating liberty since 1990 and is currently consulting to the Freedom Foundation. He has written for a wide range of newspapers and journals.
Articles By This Author
Slavery and the demand for reparations
In March this year the UN declared slavery “the gravest crime against humanity”, though the US voted against and every European nation abstained.
How smart was Moriarty?
Let’s face it – to the law-abiding, crime usually seems stupid. The low average IQ (92) of men in US jails supports that impression.
What’s to learn from racism in America?
Racism has become an increasingly salient issue around the world.
Ideological beliefs are about belonging, not truth
Have you ever wondered why some people simply cannot see the sense in your political views? They may be intelligent and fairly well-informed, yet they appear immune to facts, evidence and common sense. They seem to make increasingly bizarre claims about what is happening as the argument develops. Their saying the same of you simply proves their disconnection from reality.
The awkward question of class
Social class and inequality have always been live salient political issues. Indeed, politics is defined as ‘debating the distribution of power’. Politicians in all political camps have no option but to address class issues.
Burke versus Paine: does political progress mean taking political risks?
Last week I pondered whether we should err on the side of missing out on progress or avoiding harm. My conclusion was that we should be more open to chasing progress, and less to avoiding harm, than we are now. Here I look at the question as it applies to politics.
Risk and reward: why we need to play with fire and pointed sticks
Humans lived through most of their history in an environment that rewarded those who prioritised the downside of risk.
Is exposure to gratuitous sex and violence bad?
In 1986, US Attorney General Edwin Meese published a report on pornography. President Ronald Reagan commissioned it during what the left used to call the Reagan era’s unholy alliance between free markets and religion.
AI could bring the world’s best teachers to every South African child
Modern technology has made it possible to individually maximise the potential of every person. It can do so while sidestepping many political challenges around education and making life more convenient.
Racial classification is just a human invention … but could it be useful?
A lot of social science – beginning with the Victorians – uses the concept of race to analyse humanity. Much of that analysis is uncomplimentary toward non-white groups. It appears self-serving toward the British Empire and is frankly just racist.