I haven't read The Bell Curve. It sounds a bit irresponsible if what I've read of it is true. IMO the failure of the left has much to do with navel gazing debates around the paradox of respecting differences and not wanting anyone to be treated differently. Just like the critiques of The Bell Curve point out, why you are doing it matters most. If a white guy in a group of black people dropped his keys before leaving, should you mention his skin tone in describing him? Yes, you should. It's idiotic to build a world so fragile. Now if you are sussing out why someone scored highest on the chem exam, then what the hell are trying to do? Murphy's comrades need such assurances of care because they, not so unlike Murray, are constructing differences, for ostensibly* different reasons, but to a similar effect. Their observance (creations really) of sacred differences are paralyzing and patronizing. *Yeah, ostensibly. I'm not convinced base tribalism doesn't underpin most of the motivations (comrades?).