The Unenlightened States Of America - Sir Harold Kroto @ The Science Network

[quidproquo2004]

He came to my university this year and I had the good fortune to speak with him and shake his hand.

[stalkingcat123]

jesus!!!! keep your religion to yourself you have a church/gathering place go there talk about your religion pray to your gods use your designated area's of worship to worship and keep it out of the fucking public. religion should be treated like foul language i don't want my child to hear that garbage

[mdiem]

A talk like this deserves an hour, not ten minutes. Feels rushed.

[tifforo1]

2:47 is dated. David H. Souter was replaced by Sonia Sotomayor (Catholic) in 2009 and John Paul Stevens was replaced by Elena Kagan (Conservative Jew) in 2010. The Supreme Court is now made up of six Catholics and three Jews.

[bartonim]

Man, the religious scam in America is its eternal shame. Maybe the founding fathers were deists, but they would drop their jaws in horror at what is going on America today.

[TheConcolor]

Norway! w000t1!!

[Orangemongoose1]

I don't really have a religion. Because if I'm christian, that would mean that I think there's a God (which there may or may not be) and if I'm Atheist, that means I think there is no God (which there may be)

But, I totally agree with this guy! We should stop focusing so much on religion and focus on our life. If there is a god and a heaven (which I hope there is, but it's unlikely) he would love you anyway.

[BlizBob]

@Orangemongoose

"and if I'm Atheist, that means I think there is no God (which there may be)"

I can't possibly be the first person to point this out to you but "atheist" doesn't mean people who think that there is no god.

Atheist means a person who does not believe in a god(s).

The most devout christian, muslim, hindu ect. is exactly as atheist towards Odin as an atheist is toward any god humanity has ever believed.

Only some atheists think that there's no god.

[gordinidesigns]

Oh yes, I live in North America& I agree with his views.0

[gordinidesigns]

I love this man & his reasoning. I love science. I love life.

[Sakamachi25]

Is this guy serious about Star Trek? Star Trek TOS was LESS Atheistic than TNG? aahhh...no. Lets not forget that in the Original Star Trek, the episode "Bread and Circuses" was pretty much one long infomercial in FAVOR of Christianity. I never had respect for Roddenberry after seeing that. He basically said that everyone on the Enterprise was Christian. TNG shows how enlightened scientific atheists have top deal with backwards civilizations.

[4ynep]

I still can't believe, that what most people still concert the most powerful country in the world is actually full of ignorant dumb-asses who keep their heads buried in the god-shit dirt... Believing in some kind of superior intellect is one thing, but trying to ignore solid scientific evidence... is very very very sad...

[FreeeeS]

MONGOLIA 9 % :(( :(( the amount of hearbreak for my country men and women is unfathomable

[fathomthegist]

Poop on a stick ., both sides

[Dumass88]

I feel sympathy for those brainwashed into any belief structure as a child.

You should never been taught to believe in any religion when you can't think critically for yourself. Neutral teaching about all religion is necessary in school. But taking a stance in what faith you want to believe or not to belive, is something you should only have to do once you can think for yourself.

I'm glad that the younger people in the US tends to be less religion, and that is promising for the future.

[colourmegone]

The public aren't irrational, they're uneducated. And whose fault is that?

I remember reading somewhere that rulers don't want a well educated populace as the well educated cause too much trouble. The more ignorant and degraded people are the easier it is for elites to exercise their authority.

[pwnz0rz0r]

"the same thing is happening in the UK" was meant i hope

[Trashfished]

What a complete asshole.

[amoxtlacatl]

8:43

"500 years old."

O.o

What on Earth is that man doing teaching science?

[NassimHarameinVedas]

Namaste! Great video. Was atheist at one point. It is my humble but accurate opinion that atheism is a very important and valid plateau to higher levels of consciousness and transcendental knowledge but is only a plateau. Being a student of every intellectual field from anthropology to astro-physics for the past 10 years, it is inevitable either in one or millions of lifetimes to eventually recognize the Supreme Personality of Godhead as All-Attractive energy Krsna.

∞Hare Krsna∞

[suthrnreject]

@NassimHarameinVedas: This sounds too similar to "all faiths lead to jesus'" - delivering a small packet of tolerance for all beliefs within a larger package of intolerance. Some xtians tell us that those of other faiths are still okay as their faith will eventually lead them to the one "true god." And your statement here is different how? As an atheist, I'm not on your presumed plateau, headed for your "godhead." HKers are no less cult members than xtians, muslems, fill in the blank.

[1RadicalOne]

@ 8:30 - is that Sam Harris?

[TheOtherSide100]

Yes, that is Sam Harris.

[michalchik]

yes

[Prophiscient]

After watching some of these TSN videos, I have the impression that the speakers are afraid of being pulled off the stage by a man with a big hook who is already waiting in the wings with a stopwatch in his hand. They all seem to be in a hurry over there.

[SayYesToReason]

Probably the best coffee shop I've encountered was two blocks from the campus of Oklahoma State. It was run by a church, but was frequented by all types. Funny thing was the split between the Christians and the atheist/agnostic crowd was damned near 50-50, yet EVERYONE got along in there. Shame it can't be like that all over...

[Mcgregor813]

It could if people didnt label each other as "christian" or "atheist". Or this foolish idea about what people deem as "hicks"and "liberals" comparing the two. We are all people some good and some bad why do we need labels?

[SayYesToReason]

Yeah - if I have to end-up back in OK, at least it'll be in T-town.

I almost went to NYU, but the out-of-state tuition was just too much.

BTW - was the coffee shop burned down by a mob of hicks with torches?

[SayYesToReason]

Your lack of a coffee shop is a true tragedy!

My two opportunities now are the gig near Portland, or moving back to Tulsa - which is at least a very cosmopolitan city, and all my friends are there. We'll see

[SayYesToReason]

I'm 6 hours south of Portland - ugh. The advantage is that I'm an hour from the coast, an hour from the redwoods, and a little over an hour from the Oregon high desert, so for nature I'm set! I MAY be moving to a place about 30 minutes east of Portland this summer, so we'll see. Needless to say, I spend a lot of time in the local coffee shops and bookstores!

[SayYesToReason]

I finally moved away from OK to Oregon last year. The only problem is I ended-up in the most redeck part of the state (sort of like a big, red zit on Oregon's blue, liberal backside)! The upside is that the countryside here is breathtaking, and that makes it worth it for the time being.

[SayYesToReason]

I grew up next door in Oklahoma. Same shit there, too. I feel your pain. Escape! Escape!

[DanLightning]

I'd be nervous too with that audience... was that Sam Harris at 8:30?

[JennyFarlopez]

The land of the hypocrats

and the home of the ignorants.

[thaprecepta]

is there something wrong with me if as a senior in high school i find this stuff fascinating? it seems everyone else in the world thinks im fucked up for viewing videos like this...

[iurak6868]

not at all...

[KemaTheAtheist]

"is there something wrong with me if as a senior in high school i find this stuff fascinating? it seems everyone else in the world thinks im fucked up for viewing videos like this... "

Not in the least bit. I think you'll find in the years to come that a thirst for knowledge will be something that you'll not only be proud to have, but will make life even more enjoyable. I know it has for me!

[JBSauce]

Don't worry. When you get to college, you can more easily find people who share your enthusiasm for science. For now you'll have to slog through the ignorant masses, but if you play your cards right, years from now they'll be bagging your groceries while you're doing research.

[SayYesToReason]

Not at all. Learn as much as you can. Question everything!

[supersetan2008]

If economy keep getting worse, i bet many more ppl will turn to "god". The thing is, religion offer simple answer and "hope"--how ever false it is, feeling of being powerless is very dangerous to human. Education will be more expensive and more ppl cant afford. Academy and science org must start to work on something, providing free education, and actively promote science; Free classes. Free ebooks. Attractive packaging ... whatever. Or this may become an anticlimax of civilization.

[supersetan2008]

Star trek TNG may in quantity significantly express the said treatment to religion and beliefs, but i think it is within the context of "prime directive" of the UFP. The whole concept of TNG still in the position of objective and secular standpoint. Its only acknowledged and accepted for inter-species relation purposes. Infact, creation of the character "Q" clearly send the message about how TNG views the so called "metaphysical" being: full of flaws and need help from the mortal.

[falotnek]

Christians in the US say the Bible is the most scientific book that exists. That says it all.

Go Norway!!

[drpasse]

Sweden number 1! I've never been more proud!

[johnatspray]

YES!

Go Sweden!

[ZombieToaster]

I really like how sweden tends to be somewhere at the top of every good list :)

[effyleven]

This lecture wuld have been more powerful if the speaker hadn't stumbled so often over long words. Even that which we *could* hear was somewhat gabbled.

[sheepwshotguns]

go america! we beat kyrgyzstan!

:(

[lostagainrob]

For now....

[CarpeOmne]

AND CROATIA!!!

You just can't forget about Croatia!

=(

[KladionicaCity]

4:10 wtf?! What a waste of money.

[lostagainrob]

What's a church without a 5 waterfalls.

[beastlt12]

lol

[KladionicaCity]

2:03 I live in Croatia and i find hard to believe there are just 7% non-believers according to this data,because i know of all my friends are mostly affirmed atheists/agnostics and the rest are kinda believers but don't go to church and never took a Bible in their hands as far i know.I think their faith is kinda a social symbol,not really a belief.The only people i see as believers are old folks from the countryside.

[ceeqanguel]

it is a very sad thing for me to say; but you gotta admit it's an old people thingand we have to wait for them to die: I live in quebec, canada and the churches are emptying gradually as the scandals of the church emerge. Sadly, the religious vote in politics is important, and we younger people see ourselves with lesser education if we don't go to a richprivate (religious) school. See the cycle? the praying old farts have the money, and we kids are too busy trying to make ends meet to vote.

[wolfwing1]

great video hope to see the rest.

[jtbovis]

I've seen bits of this talk so many times, I'm pretty sure this is the one where he recommends checking out Pat Condell's videos on youtube.

I really want to see the entire talk.

[vhernandez48]

It is not from the same lectures. He mentions Obama.

[califoniania]

If creationists get their way and evolution is phased out, we WILL have superbugs and no medication to combat them with. It'll be the end of the US as we know it and the beginning of the second dark age. The question is are we going to allow it to happen?

[JealousInquiry]

Belief in god doesn't make a whole country 'unenlightened.' It varies from person to person. Yeah, crime with religion is there, but just because of that, that doesn't mean that they are stupid.

[jdf088]

blind faith can make one inflexible to knowledge that isn't in the holy books, a great number of religious people disregard science in general, relying solely on superstition and ignorance. the only reason religion exists is for subjective emotional attachment to an imagined immortality, and to give excuse to those with an irrational fear of the unknown.

[JealousInquiry]

But this video is just talking about religion in general; not all religious are technically blinded.

Look, I don't want an argument, but the ones the proffessor is talking about are just those that are ignorant, and applying it to all.

I'm gonna be honest, I'm rather religious, but I'm open to my gods not being real and my life just being... well souless. I understand my prayers have been scientifically proven to not really work, but I can still try, now can't I?

[jdf088]

well to be fair, the point is that religion itself has done nothing to add to the wealth of scientific knowledge. not to say that some brilliant people aren't religious, but they rely on evidence when dealing with their respective fields, and not basing anything on faith or their religious convictions. i thank you for your politeness in your reply. peace Jason

[manton2y]

All religion is based on twisted and deversed,ignorant,selfish and dogmatic standards,. Real knowledge of God ,doesn't need to be exposed on the way they used to do. It will be a finally state of spiritual knowledge , gained by free will, without an earthly , materialistic vieuw on spiritual topics! Read Jakob Lorber!

[pipsandnuts]

It's both sad and frightning that only 3-9% of the americans can actually think of themselves. So much for "the greatest nation in the world". It's more like the most stupid nation in the world.

[pipsandnuts]

*for themselves.

[Sun0fABeach]

very good points, shitty presentation.

...use lesser slides!!

[Neeboopsh]

is the guy in the audience david duchovny? :)

[FFreeThinker]

It's Sam Harris. This is tsn, not the Golden Globes. ;)

[Neeboopsh]

nah - i know sam harris. there was another guy with long hair. looks kind of like duchovny :)

[Neeboopsh]

at 2:08 sitting there with glasses

[stevebritgimp]

No I don't think it was, nor Roman Abramovich. David Duchovny was the more rational side of the X-files - the actors involved had the opposite attitudes to their on-screen characters.

[xBuscopanx]

thanks a lot!!! Do you have more?

[FFreeThinker]

Yesss :)

[clicb4]

A theory is mere scientific speculation huh? How about these idiots go jump off a bridge since gravity is apparently just speculation.

I find it amazing how these people can't believe that we evolved from other species over millions of years, but they can believe that an invisible man in the sky made a man out of dirt because a book that speaks of stoning your children to death says so.

[Psittacosaurus]

I live in America, and frankly I'm disgusted by the number of people in this country who promote ignorance, bias, scientific illiteracy and the denial of a proper education for children.

[MagnusIan]

See? Religion needs to fucking die out already. We've had enough.

[pod054321]

No,not religion. Religion is just the byproduct(the sewage)of irrationality & intellectual dishonesty. There are plenty of non-religious idiots out there.

Reason needs to live! Then religion WILL die.

[MagnusIan]

I know. You would think in this day and age that a greater number of people would embrace reason, but religion does its job all too well. I mean, I can't even tell my family that I'm an atheist or that I no longer share their political views.

[obfuscation696]

Interesting... but the guy's presentation style is irritating. Why go to the trouble of putting together a slide if you're not going to give your audience a chance to look at it?

[mikejohncooper]

Fantastic video, thanks FreeThinker!!!

[toxzen]

I'm very disappointed to see that he has a new channel. For a second I thought he was gone. Does anyone know what happened to his old account?

[FFreeThinker]

Yokeup's new channel is yokedtojesus. I think he closed his old account (probably too many "haters"). So let's keep an eye on him. ;)

[TrooperCX]

is there more? like a second part? he's got bam bam bam things to say. It's funny to think semi high ranking politicians publicly disagree w/ evolution, that is if you like laughing at dead babies.

[kezamel]

great video; thank you again for the videos on your channel. I learn something new almost daily.

[932016]

Do you have the rest?

[FFreeThinker]

Yes, but I'll only post one clip every two or three days.

[tieInterceptor]

don't take too long for the rest, it's really interesting

:)

[BMWmotorrad14]

Good. I'd like to see the rest. Thank you.

[joh3]

Thank you for introducing me to this man.

[deliciousonionsoup]

I'd not heard of this "Unenlightened States of America" before today. It fits well of the USA and also of many, many other states and natiion states.

[Mindaslight]

If you're not first, you're last.

[yared94]

Actually, you can be second, or third, or fourth...