Rocks and racism? How geologists created and perpetuated a narrative of prejudice

Kathryn Yusoff sparked a culture war with her latest book, suggesting slavery and white supremacy informed the work of geology’s founding fathers. Here, she and other experts suggest that attitudes have changed little since
It was at the London Library at St James’s Square, surrounded by the shiny offices of geological extraction companies including BP and Rio Tinto, that Kathryn Yusoff discovered a deep link between geology and racism. It was 2017, and the professor of inhuman geography from Queen Mary University of London was doing research for a book about the history of geology. Little did she know that her niche, archival discoveries, which led to a 600-page tome on race and geoscience seven years later, would put her on the very faultline of a culture war.
The academic book, called Geologic Life, was published in 2024. It soon attracted the attention of the conservative higher education publication the College Fix, which said that Yusoff’s writing “suggests even rocks have been corrupted in white supremacists’ schemes”. A minor eruption followed, with articles in many rightwing newspapers including the Daily Mail and Telegraph, featuring quotes such as “geology is no more racist than fish’n’chips”. “The articles were grossly inaccurate and deliberately mischaracterised the book in inflammatory and abusive language,” says Yusoff.
Continue reading...-
How ‘Severance’ Is Shifting the Work-Life Balance Narrative With Innies and Outies
As “Severance” nears the end of its second season, the show has created a “cultural moment” that is changing the way people discuss work-life balance.The New York Times - 1d -
The White House is using tariffs to restore manufacturing. Data suggests it will take time.
What the White House wants and what the economic realities of manufacturing and trade are don’t line up, experts say.NBC News - 4d -
How "The Cake Mix Doctor" Anne Byrn plans to represent a region in her latest book
Journalist, food historian and native Southerner Anne Byrn has spent the last three years working on a comprehensive book about an influential culinary tradition. "Baking in the American South" ...CBS News - 21h -
How This Beauty Brand Founder Celebrates Her Culture With a Hero Ingredient
Michelle Ranavat creates products that honor her Indian heritage while delivering proven results.Inc. - 2d -
My stepmother inherited 100% of my father’s estate. She’s leaving everything to her two kids. Is that fair?
“I had a wonderful relationship with my father.”MarketWatch - 21h -
Ukraine war in maps: How control has shifted in three years
How are Russia and Ukraine placed after three years of fighting and with Donald Trump suggesting talks on ending the war could begin soon?BBC News - 2d -
Portrait may be the only one of England's 9-day queen painted during her lifetime
Research by the charity English Heritage suggests it may have found a portrait of England's shortest-reigning queen Lady Jane GreyABC News - Mar. 7 -
Oprah Winfrey names "The Tell" as latest book club selection
"The Tell" author Amy Griffin shares how revealing childhood trauma helped her heal.CBS News - 4d -
Facebook whistleblower alleges ‘lethal carelessness’ in new book
Sarah Wynn-Williams, who worked at Facebook for six years, opens up about her experience at the tech giant, what she calls the company’s “lethal carelessness” and her views on Mark Zuckerberg in a ...NBC News - 6d
More from The Guardian
-
At least 50 killed and more than 100 injured in nightclub fire in Kočani, North Macedonia – Europe live
Blaze reportedly broke out in the early hours at Pulse club in town 60 miles from Skopje. North Macedonia’s public prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski has said five prosecutors would investigate the ...The Guardian - 41m -
Trump orders airstrikes on Yemen in warning to Houthis over shipping route
At least 31 people killed in strikes on Sana’a and Sa’ada on Saturday, says Houthi-run health ministry. Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, on Saturday, ...The Guardian - 3h -
Judge blocks Trump from using 18th-century wartime act for deportations
Trump had invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport five Venezuelans, but order halted by judge. Alien Enemies Act: what is it and can Trump use it to deport gang members? Donald Trump ...The Guardian - 14h -
Peruvian fisher rescued after three months stranded at sea
Maximo Napa says he survived by eating cockroaches, birds and a turtle – and thinking about his mother. A Peruvian fisher was found alive after drifting at sea for 94 days, a navy official said on ...The Guardian - 57m -
SpaceX capsule docks with ISS to bring back stranded Nasa astronauts
The arrival of four astronauts will allow Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth after nine months on the International Space Station. A SpaceX capsule delivered four astronauts to the ...The Guardian - 6h
More in World
-
At least 50 killed and more than 100 injured in nightclub fire in Kočani, North Macedonia – Europe live
Blaze reportedly broke out in the early hours at Pulse club in town 60 miles from Skopje. North Macedonia’s public prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski has said five prosecutors would investigate the ...The Guardian - 41m -
Switzerland’s new defence minister seeks closer ties with Nato neighbours
Neutral nation spends less than 1 per cent of GDP on military but is starting to reconsider its postureFinancial Times - 47m -
Lando Norris begins season with Australian F1 GP victory ahead of Max Verstappen
Verstappen second, Russell third as Piastri finishes ninth Lewis Hamilton 10th in Melbourne on Ferrari debut If he is to make a tilt at this season’s Formula One world championship, Lando ...The Guardian - 52m -
US enforcement unit ended by Trump wins right to auction Russian yacht
Sale of the $300mn Amadea is expected to move forward but cases that were not charged yet are likely to be abandonedFinancial Times - 54m -
US allies in Asia must also rethink their defence
Trump’s foreign policy shake-up has profound implications for Japan and South KoreaFinancial Times - 54m