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2.39 MB
Extraction Summary
6
People
7
Organizations
3
Locations
2
Events
2
Relationships
3
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Correspondence / journalistic inquiry / fact-checking list
File Size:
2.39 MB
Summary
This document is a fact-checking inquiry from journalist Peter Aldhous to physicist Lawrence Krauss. It outlines Krauss's career achievements but focuses heavily on his defense of Jeffrey Epstein and financial ties to him, specifically a $100,000 pledge to the Origins Project in 2014. The document quotes Krauss explicitly stating he would believe Epstein over his accusers based on personal observation.
People (6)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Krauss | Recipient / Subject |
Physicist, author, founder of Origins Project.Addressed as "you" in the document.
|
| Peter Aldhous | Sender |
Journalist sending the inquiry.
|
| Jeffrey Epstein | Financier / Convicted Offender |
Described as funding Krauss's Origins Project and being defended by Krauss.
|
| Richard Dawkins | Biologist / Collaborator |
Made a documentary with Krauss; attended VIP luncheon.
|
| Barack Obama | Former President |
Krauss served on his science policy committee in 2008.
|
| Donald Trump | President |
Krauss is described as a vocal critic of him.
|
Organizations (7)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Origins Project |
Founded by Krauss at ASU; received funding from Epstein.
|
|
| Arizona State University (ASU) |
Location of the Origins Project.
|
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| New Yorker |
Publication featuring essays by Krauss.
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|
| New York Times |
Publication featuring essays by Krauss.
|
|
| Daily Beast |
Publication Krauss spoke to in 2011 regarding Epstein.
|
|
| CFI (Center for Inquiry) |
Krauss made honorary member of board of directors.
|
|
| House Oversight Committee |
Source of the document (via Bates stamp).
|
Timeline (2 events)
Locations (3)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Location of Arizona State University.
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|
|
Location of CSICon.
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|
Location where Epstein spent 13 months in jail.
|
Relationships (2)
Epstein pledged $100,000 to Krauss's Origins Project; Krauss publicly defended Epstein in 2011 interview.
Made documentary 'The Unbelievers' together; attended VIP luncheon together.
Key Quotes (3)
"As a scientist I always judge things on empirical evidence and he always has women ages 19 to 23 around him, but I’ve never seen anything else, so as a scientist, my presumption is that whatever the problems were I would believe him over other people."Source
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Quote #1
"I remain skeptical, and I support a man whose character I believe I know...If you want to condemn me for that, so be it."Source
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Quote #2
"Science itself overcomes misogyny and prejudice and bias."Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026774.jpg
Quote #3
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (3,397 characters)
Miscellaneous facts:
• In 2008, you founded the Origins Project at Arizona State University in Tempe, a multidisciplinary effort to understand the origins of the universe, life, and social systems. You have led that effort ever since.
• Thanks to best-selling books like The Physics of Star Trek and A Universe From Nothing, frequent essays in publications including the New Yorker and the New York Times, and the documentary you made with biologist Richard Dawkins, called The Unbelievers, you are celebrated as one of America’s leading public intellectuals.
• You served on the science policy committee for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and are a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.
• You also make regular public appearances across the world, often at gatherings of skeptics and atheists.
• At CSICon in Las Vegas in October, a few dozen fans paid $500 per head to attend a VIP luncheon with you and Dawkins.
• Many more lined up to get you to sign their copy of your latest book, The Greatest Story Ever Told — So Far.
• Online, people can buy T-shirts emblazoned “Lawrence Krauss for President.”
• In talks and interviews, you have argued that our universe arose without divine intervention, that religion drives xenophobia, and that our brains are hardwired to believe.
• You have stated that science provides answers to many of life’s biggest questions, and can even fix great societal injustices.
• Earlier this year, at a Q&A event to promote your new book, the conversation came around to the dearth of women and minorities in science. “Science itself overcomes misogyny and prejudice and bias,” you said. “It’s built in: Questioning yourself, always questioning results, questioning others, relying on empirical evidence.”
• You have clashed with some skeptics over your defense of Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier who in 2008 was convicted for soliciting prostitution from underage girls, and spent 13 months in a Florida jail.
• Through his private foundation, Epstein has funded the work of several prominent scientists. He has provided funding for your Origins Project, supporting lectureship and scholarship programs, most recently pledging $100,000 in 2014.
• In April 2011, you told the Daily Beast: “As a scientist I always judge things on empirical evidence and he always has women ages 19 to 23 around him, but I’ve never seen anything else, so as a scientist, my presumption is that whatever the problems were I would believe him over other people.”
• In a blog comment about the Epstein controversy, you wrote: “I remain skeptical, and I support a man whose character I believe I know...If you want to condemn me for that, so be it.”
• You were made an honorary member of CFI’s board of directors in December 2011.
• A blog post published in August 2013 described incidents #1 and #4, naming you. Another post, published at around the same time, described incident #5.
• The first post was edited to remove your name after you had commented that the allegations of assault were “potentially illegal.” The second post was quickly taken down.
Again, if you wish to comment on or clarify any of these points, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. If I do not respond immediately it is because I am on another call, so please leave the best phone number to reach you.
Thanks,
Peter Aldhous
[REDACTED]
Peter Aldhous
[REDACTED]
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