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2.1 MB

Extraction Summary

6
People
5
Organizations
2
Locations
3
Events
3
Relationships
4
Quotes

Document Information

Type: Email / request for comment (journalistic inquiry)
File Size: 2.1 MB
Summary

This document appears to be a fact-checking email or request for comment sent by journalist Peter Aldhous to physicist Lawrence Krauss (implied). It outlines Krauss's public profile and confronts him with specific controversies, primarily his defense of Jeffrey Epstein and financial ties to Epstein's foundation (specifically a $100,000 pledge to the Origins Project). It also references past allegations of misconduct against Krauss mentioned in blog posts from 2013.

People (6)

Name Role Context
Lawrence Krauss Recipient (implied 'You')
Physicist, public intellectual, author of 'The Greatest Story Ever Told — So Far', accused of defending Epstein.
Peter Aldhous Sender
Journalist/Investigator asking for comment on allegations and Epstein connections.
Jeffrey Epstein Subject of controversy
Billionaire financier, convicted sex offender, donor to Krauss's Origins Project.
Richard Dawkins Associate
Biologist, appeared in 'The Unbelievers' and at CSICon with Krauss.
Barack Obama Former President
Krauss served on his 2008 science policy committee.
Donald Trump President
Krauss is described as a vocal critic of him.

Organizations (5)

Name Type Context
CSICon
Conference in Las Vegas.
Origins Project
Krauss's project funded by Epstein.
Daily Beast
Media outlet Krauss spoke to in 2011.
CFI
Center for Inquiry (implied), Krauss made honorary board member.
House Oversight Committee
Source of the document production (footer).

Timeline (3 events)

2008
Jeffrey Epstein conviction
Florida
December 2011
Krauss made honorary member of CFI board
Unknown
October (Year unspecified)
CSICon VIP Luncheon
Las Vegas

Locations (2)

Location Context
Location of CSICon.
Location of jail where Epstein spent 13 months.

Relationships (3)

Lawrence Krauss Financial/Defensive Jeffrey Epstein
Epstein funded Krauss's Origins Project ($100k pledge); Krauss defended Epstein in the media.
Lawrence Krauss Professional/Colleague Richard Dawkins
Co-starred in 'The Unbelievers', attended VIP luncheon together at CSICon.
Lawrence Krauss Subject/Journalist Peter Aldhous
Aldhous is emailing Krauss for comment on an investigation.

Key Quotes (4)

"Science itself overcomes misogyny and prejudice and bias"
Source
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Quote #1
"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 #2
"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 #3
"the allegations of assault were 'potentially illegal.'"
Source
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Quote #4

Full Extracted Text

Complete text extracted from the document (2,968 characters)

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 BLOCK]
--
please note
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