G: Unfit

Britney Spears' recent court appearance has brought attention to the issue of conservatorship and reproductive rights. She revealed that she is not allowed to get married or have a baby under her current conservatorship. This issue is explored in an old episode of a podcast, which delves into the history of forced sterilization and the denial of reproductive rights. The episode follows a law student named Mark Bold, who discovered a Supreme Court decision from the 1920s that allowed for the forced sterilization of people deemed "unfit". This decision, known as Buck v Bell, has never been overturned, and Mark is determined to raise awareness about its implications. Mark's journey takes him through history, science fiction, and the ongoing practice of eugenics. The episode explores the darker consequences of humanity's attempts to measure the human mind and categorize people. The podcast episode was produced by Matt Kielty, Lulu Miller, and Pat Walters, with special thanks to several experts and researchers. The episode is part of the podcast's "G" series, which is supported by Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation initiative. The podcast encourages listeners to support their work by donating at Radiolab.org/donate, and to engage with the process of science through their programming.