Renowned rightwing activist Christopher Rufo is facing scrutiny for his association with a self-styled "sociobiology magazine," Aporia, which focuses on the purported links between race, intelligence, and criminality—themes widely criticized as outlets for scientific racism.
Rufo, a close ally of Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, and a prominent critic of "wokeism," has been credited with playing a key role in the removal of former Harvard University president Claudine Gay. However, his links to Aporia raise questions about his alignment with extremist viewpoints.
Aporia, one of the Substack newsletters Rufo recommends, has garnered attention for hosting podcast interviews with proponents of scientific racism and eugenics. Rufo's appearance on Aporia's podcast and his endorsement of the magazine have raised concerns about his proximity to extremist ideologies, despite his professed goal of "colorblind equality."
The magazine, formerly known as Ideas Sleep Furiously, underwent rebranding in March 2023. Aporia's "executive editor," Bo Winegard, has contributed articles discussing human biodiversity, a concept associated with scientific racism. Winegard, a psychologist, was fired by Georgia’s Marietta College in 2020 after delivering a seminar that sparked protests.
Aporia's editors, including Noah Carl, have a history of controversy. Carl, a sociologist, was stripped of a postdoctoral fellowship at Cambridge University in 2018 due to publishing scientific-racist articles. The journal has also featured articles promoting racial stereotypes and claims about racial differences in intelligence.
Critics argue that Aporia's content perpetuates debunked ideas related to eugenics and scientific racism. The publication's recent articles include discussions on race realism, innate racial differences in intelligence, and the genetic basis for high IQ among specific ethnic groups.
By endorsing and participating in Aporia's platform, Rufo has been accused of mainstreaming and promoting materials associated with eugenics and scientific racism. The concern is amplified by Aporia's history of hosting individuals with extremist views on its podcast, further raising questions about the ideological alignment of those associated with the magazine.