Watch A Dangerous Idea

A Dangerous Idea is a 2016 documentary that explores the history and impact of the controversial theory of eugenics on society. Directed by Stephanie Welch, the film features interviews with academics, historians, and scientists, including Garland Allen, Ignacio Chapela, and Barry Commoner, who offer their insight into the dangerous, pseudoscientific ideas that have been used to justify everything from forced sterilizations to genocide.

At its core, the film seeks to illuminate the ways in which eugenics has been used as a tool of social control and oppression throughout history, particularly in the United States and Europe. On its face, eugenics is the belief that the human gene pool can be improved through selective breeding and other measures aimed at promoting so-called "desirable" traits while suppressing those deemed less desirable. But as A Dangerous Idea argues, this seemingly benign idea has led to some of the darkest and most disturbing actions in human history.

The film begins by examining the roots of eugenics in the work of Francis Galton, a cousin of Charles Darwin who coined the term "eugenics" in the late 19th century. Galton believed that certain traits, such as intelligence and athleticism, were inherited and could be "strengthened" through selective breeding. This theory was later embraced by American scientists and policymakers, who saw eugenics as a way to tackle a number of social problems, including crime, poverty, and immigration.

Over the course of the film, viewers learn about some of the most notorious examples of such thinking, including the forced sterilizations of tens of thousands of people deemed "feeble-minded" in the United States in the early 20th century. Those who were targeted for these procedures were often poor, non-white, and deemed "unworthy" of reproducing by those in power. A Dangerous Idea also explores the role that eugenics played in Nazi Germany, where it was used to justify the extermination of millions of Jews, Roma, and other minorities.

But the film also traces the ways in which eugenics has continued to influence modern society, albeit in more subtle and insidious ways. For example, A Dangerous Idea examines the debates around genetic testing and genetic engineering, which are often framed as tools for creating better, healthier humans. The film raises important questions about how these technologies are being used, and who is making decisions about which traits are deemed desirable and which are not.

One of the key arguments in A Dangerous Idea is that eugenics is not just a thing of the past, but a dangerous idea that continues to shape the way we think about ourselves and others. The film explores the ways in which eugenic thinking has become part of the fabric of society, from the ways that certain groups of people are deemed "undesirable" and excluded from certain opportunities to the ways that we are sold the myth of the "perfect" body or mind through advertising and media.

Overall, A Dangerous Idea is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of one of the most dangerous and destructive ideas in human history. By shining a light on the history of eugenics and its ongoing impact, the film challenges viewers to think critically about the way we view ourselves and others, and to ask ourselves what kind of society we want to live in.

A Dangerous Idea is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.