Claim OwnershipThe Poetry of Reality with Richard Dawkins
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The Poetry of Reality is hosted by world renowned truth-teller, evolutionary biologist and best-selling author, Professor Richard Dawkins. He has been celebrated globally for his honest critique of religion and tradition and his push for critical thinking. His books include The Ancestor’s Tale, The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, Unweaving the Rainbow, A Devil’s Chaplain, The God Delusion, The Greatest Show on Earth, The Magic of Reality, his two-part autobiography An Appetite for Wonder and A Brief Candle in the Dark, and Outgrowing God: A Beginner’s Guide. Dawkins has long been known for his uncompromising passion for science, calling out for the pressing need in modern societies for scientific literacy and rational thinking, especially in the education of young minds. His relentless pursuit of truth, and his recognition of the beauty of life on earth, will feature in this podcast, as he charts his way through scientific and existential inquiries like ‘What are we doing here?’ and ‘When did life begin?’
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I filmed a conversation about death shortly after Dan Dennett recovered from a life-threatening condition. In addition to discussing personal mortality, we talked about bereavement. I thought this time it would be appropriate to listen again to his wisdom—the wisdom of a great thinker and a dear friend. Big books, was an eloquent speaker, had deep knowledge of science as well as philosophy, was a talented musician and sculptor, lived a full life and died in harness. It leaves a huge gap in the world of intellect, Dan, I will miss you so much, so deeply.
This episode features the eminent scientist, Prof. Martin Rees, as he joins me in traversing the worlds of physics and biology. Together, he and I grapple with the profound complexities of understanding reality, from contemplating multiple dimensions to exploring the implications of scientific insights that inspire and challenge us. Dive into the evolution of humankind to include digital and AI creations, ponder philosophical questions of consciousness and self-awareness, and speculate on the future of machine consciousness.
1Join me for another thought-provoking Q&A session with Taryn Southern on a wide range of topics, from the ethics of selective breeding and eugenics to western liberal sympathy toward Islam and wokeism. You asked me what I think about trans people, genes and sexual orientation, mindfulness and AI______________________ Join Substack: https://richarddawkins.substack.com/ Subscribe to Poetry of Reality Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmwfdgHA_R9fzr1L0_hxdVw Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.poetry.of.reality/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RichardDawkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardDawkinsBooks Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ThePoetryofReality
In this episode, journalist Andrew Sullivan and Richard Dawkins fearlessly confront society's aversion to directness and the double standards that govern criticism, challenging the breakdown of democratic conversation in America. They take a little dip into Dawkins' upbringing in Kenya and England before exploring the primal instincts of prey, predator, and the arms race, shedding light on nature's intent and the marvels of survival. As they navigate the terrifying yet exhilarating immensity of the universe, they contemplate and debate over life's meaning, Jesus and the role of religion as solace in the face of nothingness. But does moral philosophy really require the supernatural? Does scienctific truth make a man desolate? And what is the truth of human nature and the sex binary? Sullivan and Dawkins tackle a wide array of topics, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for understanding.
Richard Dawkins is coming for the world's psychics, telepaths and spiritualist practitioners in this episode, with his relentless curiosity and pursuit for revealing the truth against all odds. Richard fearlessly confronts psychic Craig Hamilton Parker in a quest to unravel the mysteries of spiritualist practices. He rigorously channels his dedication to exposing scams and dismantling delusions as he challenges Parker's claims about communicating with the spirit world, with razor-sharp logic and unyielding skepticism. Watch as this back-and-forth sheds light on the truth behind the veil of mysticism and explores science's long battle with mediums. Skepticism vs belief, faith vs empirical evidence, reason vs the fog of deception - who wins this round?
Dissident Dialogues is a place for dangerous ideas. Buy your tickets now at https://dissidentdialogues.org/ and be part of the conversation.Head to http://factormeals.com/reality50 and use code REALITY50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next box.I had an intriguing conversation with Bishop Richard Holloway, former Head of the Church of Scotland. He is a most intelligent, interesting and pleasant man.Join us as we explore the human lust to be good to others, and the impulse to give. We navigate the delicate balance between belief and scepticism, with Holloway confessing that he's “between gods” and me reflecting on being, technically, an agnostic.Throughout our conversation, we critically examine the poetic value of religious myth and its impact on human culture. We confront the age-old question of whether religion offers consoling fiction or genuine comfort in the face of life’s uncertainties.
In this episode I sit down with Professor Michael Baum to dissect with brutal honesty the intricacies and pitfalls of the alternative medicine industry. We dive deep into the challenges posed by a scientifically illiterate House of Commons and the prevailing misconception that science is too daunting for the average person to comprehend. We confront the disturbing trend of individuals taking pride in their ignorance, a mindset that perpetuates the acceptance of unproven remedies in the fight against cancer.From herbal remedies to homeopathy and other alternative medicines, Michael Baum and I unravel the allure of these treatments, examining the placebo effect and the reliance on anecdotal evidence that often accompanies them. We emphasize the vital importance of the scientific method, which demands unwavering honesty and has the potential to challenge our deeply entrenched belief systems.
Deepak Chopra is a medical doctor with mystical leanings, who has built a highly successful second career as a purveyor of alternative remedies, and deepities that I would say – and here, I suppose I show my bias – impress those who think that if they can’t understand something it must be profoundly significant. As part of my Channel Four documentary Enemies of Reason, I asked him to explain his concept of Quantum Healing. We went on from there.
This episode features a conversation with my friend, writer, broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth, from his podcast Rosebud. We reminisce over my memories of growing up in Kenya and the UK, going over our journeys with private education, bad teachers, young love, and the first time learning about starfish filled me with wonder and awe over science and the natural world.
It was my pleasure to speak with American cosmologist and professor of physics Janna Levin, about a range of subjects around religion, morality and improving public scientific literacy. How does our society rob children of the right to truth, by indoctrinating them into their beliefs at an early age? We discuss freedom through science, the inspiration of wonder and awe in the cosmos in my books Outgrowing God, The Selfish Gene, Climbing Mount Improbable and Unweaving The Rainbow, morality and altruism, and the love and hate my work receives in equal parts from across the world. _______________________ Join Substack: https://richarddawkins.substack.com/ Subscribe to Poetry of Reality Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmwfdgHA_R9fzr1L0_hxdVw Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.poetry.of.reality/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RichardDawkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardDawkinsBooks Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ThePoetryofReality
Bill Nye The Science Guy is a cultural icon, and it was my honour to award him the Richard Dawkins 2023 award at CSICON for his exemplary work in making scientific knowledge more accessible. We spoke about everything from life in outer space, to climate change, to improving governance and the quality of life on earth - and how creating a scientifically literate society is, truly, the key. _______________________ Join Substack: https://richarddawkins.substack.com/ Subscribe to Poetry of Reality Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmwfdgHA_R9fzr1L0_hxdVw Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.poetry.of.reality/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RichardDawkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardDawkinsBooks Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ThePoetryofReality
In this interview with philosopher Dan Dennett, we discussed his brilliant book I've Been Thinking and the evolution of not just humankind, but of language and culture. We explored questions like: What is the future of human consciousness? And what role do AI technology and deep fakes play in our understanding of truth and reality? _______________________ Join Substack: https://richarddawkins.substack.com/Subscribe to Poetry of Reality Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmwfdgHA_R9fzr1L0_hxdVw Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.poetry.of.reality/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RichardDawkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardDawkinsBooks Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ThePoetryofReality
I led a classroom of London high schoolers for a Channel 4 documentary, on the subject of Charles Darwin and evolution. It inspired questions from curious young minds that I then engaged with - about the nature of religious belief, about time and space, and about the truth of the origin of life.
Bertha Vazquez is a former school teacher, the director of education at the Center For Inquiry and the director of TIES (Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science). A long time ally in nurturing reason and critical thinking among children, she is passionate about training teachers across America in teaching evolution and science in ways that work. I was delighted to learn about her work in awakening a spirit of curiosity and inquiry in young students, and how TIES programs like Generation Skeptics and Save Science are changing the nature of school education and scientific learning. ....... Join Substack: https://richarddawkins.substack.com/ Subscribe to Poetry of Reality Channel: @poetryofreality Follow: Instagram: the.poetry.of.reality Twitter: richarddawkins Facebook: richarddawkinsbooks Reddit: thepoetryofreality
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of my heroes, for all the work she has done to expose ignorance and oppression, for her stance on the human right to liberty. I am surprised she aligns herself with Christianity - and I fear she mixes being a Christian up with being a good human being. Here's a heartfelt letter I wrote to her about it. Tickets to Dissident Dialogues - https://www.richarddawkins.com/ For more information visit - https://dissidentdialogues.org/
This episode features me in direct debate with Christian political conservative Wendy Wright. We talk about teaching evolution in schools, the "controversy" it poses for religious conservatives, about the evidence-base, truth and intolerance towards differences.She brings up dogmatism in the scientific community, and I push back about enabled ignorance in her own, while we share a mutual desire for human altruism and empathy.
This uncut conversation with Father George Coyne of the Catholic Church did not make its way onto the original show on Channel 4 years ago, and I'm glad to be able to give it the attention it deserves today. A devout Catholic and a lover of science, George Coyne provides a fascinating take on traditions of faith, the danger of religious literalism, and how he views evolution as a seamless part of God's work.
Join me in a new conversation with Alex O'Connor as we discuss a range of topics, including Jordan Peterson, Ayaan Hirsi Ali's journey into Christianity, my bafflement at how Alex could stand three years of studying the non-subject of theology, the fear of death, and other things.
Why won’t ChatGPT dispute the existence of God? What is the evolutionary purpose of wonder and awe in the face of nature? Can a community exist independent of religion? And can we expand the human lifespan? Find out the answers to these and more, as I take on all your questions.
The human eye and the human brain help us process reality. How accurate is our shared perception of reality? Scientific knowledge helps us clear the rubble from the path and see things for what they are. In the last part of Growing Up In The Universe, I take you through virtual reality models in the human mind and in computers. Through them we examine the questions: How do imagination, language and technology help us discern what is real from what is not? And what does the future of the human mind and perception look like?
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Really liking this podcast so far. Keep up the good work Richard. We need more rational sound minded thinkers like you.