Graves' current interests focus on two areas. In addition to the process of aging, he is intrigued by the concept of race as applied to human populations. He specifically is puzzled as to why so few members of minority groups pursue careers in the sciences. Graves' pursuit of issues in biology and race was spurred by the recent publication of The Bell Curve , a book written by Harvard professors Charles Murray and the late Richard Hernnstein. They also argue that IQ is not only based within the genetic code of each individual, but that IQ cannot be increased through better schooling or environment.
Graves responds strongly to their premises.
Murray and Hernnstein also reported that test scores for both African Americans and Euro-Americans have risen 15 points in the last 20 years. Graves's concerns also spring from personal experience. My parents were poor. They didn't know how to read. The school system of my home was racially biased.