The following is an encore presentation of everything everywhere daily.

In the early 20th century, a Soviet agronomist by the name of Trophim Lysenko

developed some unique theories of biology and genetics.

He rose to the top of the Soviet hierarchy in his field and Stalin himself endorsed his theories.

And the result of the implementation of his ideas was nothing short of disastrous.

Learn more about Trophim Lysenko and Lysenko

on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. daily. The Soviet Union did excel in several areas of science and technology.

They put the first satellite in orbit and the first human into space.

They had very good mathematicians, theoretical physicists, chess players, and while not science related,

some of the greatest ballet dancers in the world.

However, there were some areas in science and technology where they fell

flat, and one area in particular where they were downright backward. This backwardness

had devastating consequences for the Soviet people.

The key player in this story is Trophim Lysenko.

Trophim Denisovitch Lysenko was born in 1898 in what was then the Russian Empire

and what is today the city of Carlifka, Ukraine.

He studied at the Kyve Agricultural Institute where he took an interest in agronomy.

Lesenko grew up poor.

He didn't actually learn how to read until he was 13, and he often dressed like a peasant when he attended university.

When the Communist Revolution came around, he was totally on board.

His poor background and his manner of dress made him very popular in communist circles.

He was dubbed the barefoot scientist.

...