Steven Pinker: A brief history of violence
What the Ancients Did for Us – The Greeks
58 min 59 sec Sep 8, 2007
The Swindle of the “Great Global Warming Swindle” film.
Stephen Nodvin 43 min 11 sec Mar 24, 2007 blog.nodvin.net Link
The Great Global Warming Swindle, was a very popular rebuttal of the idea that Global Warming is caused by humans. A glossy piece made by competent film makers and commissioned by a respectable channel, it was highly influential. This film, which consists of a lecture presentation and commentary by Chris Merchant a lecturer in geophysics at Edinburgh University takes it apart, piece by piece.
Despite the rough and ready nature of the presentation, it is straight from the lecture hall, rather than film studio, this is a really interesting film for two reasons: 1. it is a logical analysis of the type of argument used in the film, and dispassionately reveals common arguments which lead to fallacy such as false dichotomy and ad hominem attack. 2. It shows what should be possible with online videos, in the near future, a kind of endless dialectic produced by mashup and commentary.
It would be good, for example, to see a mashup of the mashup, make by the original film makers. However, Chris’ analysis is ultimately so devastating that they perhaps would be better to stay quiet than reveal themselves as charlatans.
Thanks to Kaan Atakan for the link.
Richard Dawkins – Enemies Of Reason – Part 2 of 2
August 23rd, 2007 Comments Off on Richard Dawkins – Enemies Of Reason – Part 2 of 2 | # link to | posted by david
Channel 4
47 min 48 sec – Aug 21, 2007
atheistmedia.blogspot.com
Comments Off on Richard Dawkins – Enemies Of Reason – Part 2 of 2 religion, science
Richard Dawkins, The Enemies Of Reason, Part 1 – Slaves To Superstition
August 22nd, 2007 Comments Off on Richard Dawkins, The Enemies Of Reason, Part 1 – Slaves To Superstition | # link to | posted by david
www.channel4.com
48 min 2 sec – Aug 14, 2007
Richard Dawkins’ follow up series to the Root of Evil, tackles superstition in general, instead of organized religion. The series is currently being aired on TV in the UK, here is the first part.
Unfortunately one of the more dramatic scenes from the film, where a psychic is shown to be an out and out fraud, had to be cut for legal reasons. This film is more cheery than ‘the Root of Evil, and you almost feel sorry for some of those interviewed. But Dawkins does well to avoid the temptation of trying to justify science in terms of fashionable new age crap, to win friends. The result is ultimately less patronizing to those who are clearly deluded.
Thanks James.
Comments Off on Richard Dawkins, The Enemies Of Reason, Part 1 – Slaves To Superstition religion, science, society
Richard Dawkins – Why Are We Here?
23 min 34 sec – Aug 10, 2007
www.transon.tk
Isaac Newton – Rejector of The Trinity believer in one God
August 1st, 2007 Comments Off on Isaac Newton – Rejector of The Trinity believer in one God | # link to | posted by david
BBC
58 min 50 sec – Jul 31, 2007
Many people see Newton’s religiosity as an endorsement of the divine by a powerful intellect. Another view: he though so hard that he cracked and became a delusional fairly chasing nut-case.
Comments Off on Isaac Newton – Rejector of The Trinity believer in one God history, religion, science
The Lost Pyramids Of Caral
BBC
49 min 3 sec – Jul 16, 2007
www.bbc.co.uk
The 5 thousand year old city of Caral, in Peru, is as old as the pyramids of Egypt and a thousands years older than any other civilization in the Americas. Many believe it is the missing link of archeology.
Comments Off on The Lost Pyramids Of Caral architecture, history, science
Titan, A Place Like Home??
BBC
49 min 0 sec – Jul 12, 2007
Having found life in very extreme geo-thermal environments on earth, scientists think that life could evolve on moons orbiting large planets, due to the action of gravity rather than the sun’s shining. Europa used to be the favorite place to consider looking, but recently, Titan has become the moon that people are more excited about.
The Human Sexes
A socio-anthropological view of gender. Or, in less academic parlance, sex differences. A great series (even if the difference between science and hearsay is somewhat blurred). This is part 1, the remaining parts are also on Google video.
Running time: 51 mins.