Richard Dawkins: Seven Wonders of the World (Part 3 of 3)

[macmarty2025]

Thank you for making these three excellent videos available for us.

[G3org3Master]

It would be awesome if there was some sort of mirror or reflective material in space and if you could find earths reflection you may be able to see earth millions of years ago. Unlikely... but its nice to hope. XD

[TheChainsOFMisery]

thanks for uploading

[PacmanBonez]

to think something as complex as dna came about randomly is absurd

[BlckSbthMan]

@PacmanBonez I don't think 'random' is the word an expert would use.

[PacmanBonez]

@BlckSbthMan so there was something behind it? what was it

[BlckSbthMan]

@PacmanBonez I'm not an expert, but I think the answer currently is "We don't know". Don't think that makes it untrue. Science concludes from the evidence we have, and the answer will be found for all phyiscal-world questions.

[PacmanBonez]

@BlckSbthMan so u say it had to happen but u dont know how....... isnt that faith?

[BlckSbthMan]

@PacmanBonez In a sense I have faith in science. But that's because I know it works, and I know it exists, and there is not one immora, trivial, useless thing about it. Don't have faith in science? Get off the computer.

[mike18at]

Awesome, if only we had more people like dawkins and less religious or nationalist fundamentalists.

[JollSSteR]

i just came

[bonnie43uk]

My father worked on the Hubble telescope, .. he accidentally chipped a fleck a paint onto the parabolic reflector one day when he was fooling about with a hammer. He was going to tell the boss, but he was already on a final written warning, so he kept schtum about it. I heard they had a few problems with it when it was launched into space. Me and my dad both had a good chuckle about it when they found the lens was faulty.

[akallabror]

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

[jennyJayify]

I also appreciate Dr. Dawkins work in this area. Even though the Bible has been shown to be a collection of stories thousands of years old, written when there was little understanding of the physical world, when one tries to argue these points with a christian fundamentalist one is met with various quotes taken from the Bible and put forth as the "truth". Disbelief in the Bible or Koran is extremely threatening to the "belivers." This anxiety is at the root of the fanatics in any religion.

[boomtao]

Yes, I think we all appreciate the work of David Attenborough, but to call him a wonder of the world seems a bit over the top!

[123backinyerface]

I really liked that he included David Attenborough, I have to say that he made wildlife programs so interesting to me as a child. The man should be remembered as a great scholar of the natural world and I think it does Dawkins a great service to have respectfully included him in his great wonders of the world.

Great upload, Fav'd

[speccwolf]

David Attenborough i did'nt expect that, but i agree completely, i would of thrown in aesthetics too.

[obd504]

I love Richard, his voice is like music to my ears. I would never get tired of watching his documentaries and shutting down anyone who dares to debate him. But I'm curious to know what is that big rabbit doing in his study?

[YetAnthony]

Dawkins has really made appreciate life a lot more.

[davybruce17]

you can see in his face how enthusiastic he is and you can tell he has a tremendous passion for science. although i disagree with his opinion on evolution i have a tremendous respect for him and his love of science.

[sulthus]

It should have been the 47 wonders of the world by Richard Dawkins.

[jolarti]

A surprising 7th wonder, and a good one!

[111blacksun111]

definatly. before watching this i wouldnt have been able to tell you his name but i grew up watching dave attenborough nature programs and he's the reason im studying to become a field biologist. amazing person

[Ramshobraja]

Archara bacteria deserve a mention. They have shown us that life can exist in places we thought impossible to exist.

[pucksterz12]

I always wonder if the life that exists on othere planets go through the same process of evolution as here on earth. Is it unique just to us or is it common in all of life through out the universe? So many variables had to have happened since the beggining of time to bring us (the earth and everything on it) here at this moment.

[bannistg]

Dawkins is so simplistic in his thinking - his conclusions beggar belief. How can a human mind be so arrogant as to suggest that digital coding is the only basis for intelligent life... Take a chill-pill and stop taking yourself so seriously.... what you, are saying is dressed up goofy inanities...

[chiefkeckers]

evolution is actually an older idea then young earth-creationism. no Christians 500 years ago believed in a 6,000 year old planet, btw why doesnt dawkins stick to science? instead of atheism this and atheism that, it really is a new religion!

[Inthehell1987]

atheism is not a religion but a word to describe for people who dont believe in any religion...like black is a word to describe emptiness but black itself is not a color!

[hobbitsarecool]

Dawkins published a book on evolution last year.

[redlightklondike]

Booyeah Dawkins!

[mrtnsamson]

If any creationist, would just take time to try to understand this....

I used to be a creationist, and I just find it more compelling, and much more intellectually stimulating than just accepting some deity did it. Of course, there are so many questions, you get some answers and there are more questions with those answers! It is definately a lot more rewarding!

[bersa888]

@mrtnsamson : Thank you :-)

[trashbash2001]

@mrtnsamson i admire the fact that you took the time to understand it better, which then in turn changed your view on things. i used to be religious when i was younger. Didnt get anything out of it. I questioned religion all of the time. Finally when i was old enough, i started thinking for myself.

[no1saphead]

watching all these people like .David ,Carl ,Richard and all the others to numerous to mention ,has enriched me and my understanding so much I cant begin to thank them enough.

[725672567256]

@no1saphead i second that!

[iyaramonk]

Thanks for posting. It was very interesting.

[misslipstickvogue]

Great series! Thanks for sharing! Love your channel.

[sinksinkswim]

If you didn't laugh at the word invaginate it means you're gay.

[skotoseme]

5:37 lol wut

[coolintruddle]

thanks for the upload

[originalrockstar2b21]

did he just say... belief? If you watch the arrogant certainty of science on youtube he defines faith as belief with the absence of evidence. Sounds like he has a lot of faith because there is no evidence for a lot of the things he believes in.

[Nashy119]

Certainty in Science is almost non-existent, which is why it works so well.

[OMFGLETMESKEET]

What does he believe in that there is no evidence for?

[fistacorpse]

The possibility of somethig greater than god =)

[Saxyman14]

You're an idiot. Yes there is. That's exactly WHY he believes them, is because they're true.

[Dreamerx47]

such as?

[wedingo]

7:03 "You did it yourself, and it only took you 9 months."

[Acrochordus]

Dawkins has really changed the way I see life.

[nolobede]

..As he has done for countless others. Let's hope he continues to enlighten those that continue to ignore truth.

[Nashy119]

It hasn't for me, I find he goes through a lot of the stuff I thought about as a child, so I'm not sure what to think of it. I guess I have an obsession with weighing things up, I hope I'm the only one :p

[chamallowbleu]

I know what you mean - i prefer him when he's like this and you can see how much he loves this stuff and his sense of humour though

[Groznborz]

Allah is the designer of all. Most know it, but afraid to admit.

[Acrochordus]

Actually it's Azathoth who designed and created everything. You know it, but you deny it.

[nolobede]

"Allah is the designer of all..."

Those that make that claim know it is an untruth but fear to deny it.

[chamallowbleu]

Allah is made up, and I know that for sure - saying people are afraid to admit - an easy way to always be right huh?

[PaXx]

Dawkins, Sagan and Attenborough is 3 of the best ^^

[FeverSK]

Beautiful.

[carryall69]

and by the way, what's that programm thing, sent by out of space, you are talking about? i'm not a creationist, i'm a darwinian, ok? i love dawkins, love the "selfish gene", love hitchens and denett, so would you just do me that favour and google what i'm talking about finally? it's like arguing with a wall..

[carryall69]

in bioinformatics (empowered by the availability of the human genome) it is said that protein is analog, dna is digital. it is easy to forget that the difference between digital and analogy coding is not based on sticking to zeros and ones. to be digital, all a code requires is that it be put together out of discrete building blocks that are never intermediate between one state and another.. to xliolix processor strugle: there are transcriptors and transmittors separate from dna itself..

[carryall69]

life is dependent on the semiotic interplay between the analogic and digital versions of the message. dna provides a set of digital instructions that must be read by the cell/enzyme/interpreter able to actualize what is potential in the code, it's called code duality. analogue decodification of the digital information is how this mechanism works. it's more than just one or the other. they deal with the digital-analog dynamic (storage and transmission) in genomics..

[carryall69]

so please, just google it. there is so much writen about it, so it's really common sense by now, ok?

[xlioilx]

please no more replies on this subject of DNA being Digital, I think its been kicked around way too much on this thread.

we know how DNA and other chemical reactions work today its not some program sent to us by the invisible space fairies that made us in their image......THe end! LOL

[iurak6868]

Dawkins is such a master,

truly admirable man

[SparrowisSexy]

Can Dawkins be the 8th wonder? *sigh* ;)

[Friday9951]

Sir David Attenborogh, the 7th Wonder of the World.

Too bloody right!

CHARESTHEHAMER is also a wonder - I wonder why it grew up to be so retarded?

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

If you had a clue in your head you'd read the entire exchange before writing.

[xlioilx]

Dawkans is wrong, he may know biology, but in chemistry DNA would never be called digital since chemical reactions are analog not digital.

If Dna had a way to store information then it would be digital but since it is its information it is analog. DNa is not a blue print or a program its just a chemical reaction that folds proteins thats it and it doesn't even do a very good job at it. If God made DNA he did a horrible job

[KaminaGurren]

I agree with you, actually. It doesn't really undermine his point, but you are correct. It annoys me when creationists refer to DNA as some magical digital computer code in order to imply design, and I'm surprised Dawkins would make the same mistake.

[xlioilx]

Its not his field of study I guess

[carryall69]

of course the mechanism is analog, but the coding itself can be seen as digital, the language atcg is a 4digital-code implemented analog. a digit is just another word for number, or symbol, let's say our alphabet is a 26-digital code, but as we speak it, we use an analog way in doing so..

[xlioilx]

That all sounds good, but it cannot be digital since the information is not represented by digits there are 4 chemicals ATCG but they function by chemical reactions and sometimes very horribly at best. Chemical reactions are always referred to as analog since data is not able to be encoded into atomic structures. Simply looking up the definitions of the words Digital and Analog will make this clear.

[carryall69]

again, I don't see where i contradict myself.. you are right, that the information is not "represented" in digits, but in chemicals: adenine and so on.. but the information "is" a 4 digital code. understand? for instance, a computer works with a 2 digital code: 0 and 1.. how would you describe the coding without the word digit? analog code?

[xlioilx]

"analog code? " Not really it is simply a chemical reaction. If for example I mixed 3 different non-DNA chemicals together they would react in some way, but would you call the reaction that occurred a digitally programed event NO its just analog reactions. DNA is not special its just a reaction ask any chemist. Simple cause and effect between atomic particles.

[carryall69]

Somehow i get your point and i agree if you mean that the reaction itself is chemical. but the metasense, the information you get out of it, the language.. these 4 different nucleobases are representing the fundamental information-units (or digits), so you can say it is a 4 digital code. google: "DNA digital code" and you'll see..

[carryall69]

so, that surely doesn't mean, that therefor the creationist got anything right and it is surely not a magical computer code, but dawkins didn't got it wrong. Somewhere i heard, that if you unwrap the complete dna in one cell and stretch it out, it would reach a length of 2 meters. Isn't that awsome?

[xlioilx]

Its very common for people to say "DNA digital code" (Dawkins even made the mistake) even though it is incorrect. They should say DNA analog chemical reaction.

Its not the 4 digits (as you say) that are building the structure its the 4 chemicals that are reacting to each other building the structure. That is why it is not digital and cannot be digital. If it was a program it would be horrible it simply folds proteins nothing more. Like Richard says it's kinda like origami

[carryall69]

there we go again, either you really don't understand me, or you just want to be right. did you read what i replied to you all the 4 times at all, coz, it seem like we stuck on it? if it's just that you want to win the argument, well then chear up, there you go. it's like you keep saying that there is a chemical reaction going on, as if I would deny it. whereas i, dawkins and half of google talk about dna-decodification..

[xlioilx]

I don't understand how unwrapping 2meeters of DNA is spectacular in any way....I can shave off all my under arm hair and line that up for a few meters.

How is the length of uncoiled DNA relevant to DNA being digital?

Its simple Digital is when information is represented by digits. DNA works through Analog chemical reactions not represented data in the form of digits..... its not a storage medium its not able to store information if you had a point other then this I have totally missed it

[carryall69]

now you lost me.. anyway, never mind, take care..

[Deioth]

I think it's more metaphorical, really.  Think of it this way:

If Adenine only attaches to thiamine, and guanine to cytosine, that's essentially two possibilities, just as digital code is two possibilities being 0's and 1's. It's very digital in that sense. It's a way to describe it perhaps abstractly but also more simply. Just because digital suggests digits doesn't mean it cannot be applied to non-numbers that follow a similar pattern =P Morse code even is "digital" being dots and bars.

[xlioilx]

OH my, I don't think you understand science if you think its in any way metaphorical.

Chemistry is a exact science governed by the LAWS of mathematics.

And its not digital because the chemicals DO NOT represent a digit. Their structure is what makes them do what they do not the fact that there are 2 here and 3 there.

its a wonderful pattern of chemicals.

That's it! No code, no higher intelligence.

Just billions of years of natural selection.*Sigh*

its like beating a dead horse.

[Deioth]

Would it have been a better choice of words to say binary? Its a way of describing it, regardless of how it really works. It's not like anyone's saying the actual chemical processes are irrelevant or something or that the way it really works isn't how it works. It's a relation to something similar, so in the respect that DNA essentially only has two possibilities with two base pairs, it's comparable to that of a binary, or digital, code.

[xlioilx]

no its totally not binary. the thing is that digital means that that its data represented by digits analog is when the data is the source medium and nothing is interpreted.....

Digital= like a mp3

Analog= like a record player

[Deioth]

Then you're clearly unable to understand my point and perspective =P Two base pairs is ~comparable~ to binary because it's one thing or another, true or false, 1 or 0, and if you don't understand the point of similarity and comparability then it's not worth the time to explain it anymore.

[xlioilx]

i know what your trying to say....but the 4 chemicals are not being used in that way..

IF ....if DNA were digital it would need a sort of a processor mechanism separate from it self and that structure would need a operating system and understand the digital DNA's program language to decipher the data to decode the encoded information in the encoded DNA so that it could transcribe in an analog format to make physical structures...

its kinda like reinventing the wheel when you call DNA digital

[Deioth]

No, you do not know what we said.  It was an analogy, simple as that =P

[xlioilx]

I see what you're getting at the 4 chemicals could be thought of as binary code.

[xlioilx]

but thats not how it works LOL Digital DNA is a total misconception

Dawkins is mistaken since he is not a chemist thats all

[Deioth]

Then why not have acknowledged that in the first place as opposed to saying "No, that's wrong" XD You might as well be arguing over a poem's use of a simile because the simile isn't how the subject actually works/is.

[xlioilx]

I did about 100 posts ago LOL

[maikeru01]

I think if we taught kids this way, about life, so early in their lives, then they might get more out of it then people who learn about these things only when they are adults. Just think if someone like Dawkins started what he is doing now when he was young. And think if there will millions or billions of people like this... What an amazing world it could be.

[invisblchzbrgr]

Excellent, thanks for posting :)

[charlie44444]

Richard Dawkins has replaced the role of Carl Sagan, who was a giant among giants. I love listening to him talk about anything.

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

Oh hell no.

Where Sagan was a nice guy dawkins is an asshole.

He's the anti-Sagan of the scientific world.

PS Sagan was an agnostic.

[luerwulf]

"Where Sagan was a nice guy dawkins is an asshole." -

Maybe for you 'nice' (ness) overshadows ability. That's nice.

[charlie44444]

I don't agree. First, I don't buy this crap about agnostic/atheist. Neither believe there is a God, but agnostics won't put it in writing. And if Sagan had lived longer, he would have went after religion as well, and turned into a prick. When you're talking about something as destructive as religion, you can't be making friends.

PS I don't believe Sagan was an agnostic.

[Greywyn7]

Only a theist would find Dawkins an asshole.

The same way a schizo would find a normal person ignorant.

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

LOL your lack of logic is amazing.

[Greywyn7]

Interesting. The idiot who comments on anothers lack of reasoning brings nothing to back up his claims. I knew you'd be either a theist or an amateur troll before I looked at your channel. Looks like the latter.

Take a few more lessons and come back, k?

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

I bring nothing to back my claims?

Care to explain your little rants about how "Only a theist would find Dawkins an asshole"?

[Greywyn7]

You're the epitome of idiocy. First, even if that ONE sentence WAS a rant, it would be, as I said, rant, not "rants." Secondly, imbecile, it wasn't a rant. Rants are long winded and bring nothing to the table (your first response only had the latter). My opinion (or fact) was stated clearly.

But I'll answer your question anyways genius. Dawkins calls theists out on their myths. They think he's an asshole. An atheist or agnostic has no myth, so they have no reason to be angry.

Cont...

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

Why thank you spelling fairy.

PS your continuing to wallow in a fallacy continues to be hilarious.

[Greywyn7]

Hm, seems you are, in fact, a troll. And a bad one at that. Consider yourself blocked.

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

Hey look at that your little block worked as well and closing your eyes and telling yourself a car isn't speeding towards you.

But go ahead continue to wallow in your delusions it's funny in a sad way.

[Greywyn7]

Guess I'll have to unblock you to refute your dumbass.

What am I deluded about? Please, tell me. I just think you're an idiot who enjoys arguing.

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

"Guess I'll have to unblock you"

lol For starters you don't have the power to block me here dumbass.

[Greywyn7]

Perhaps I wanted to send you a message, moron. You can't message someone you've blocked.

You really are pretty stupid aren't you?

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

"Perhaps I wanted to send you a message, moron. You can't message someone you've blocked."

If this is true then it's you who's a moron for blocking me.

[Greywyn7]

Glad to see that your supremacy never changes his mind on anything. Are you a conservative by any chance?

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

Trying to change the topic are we?

[Greywyn7]

What topic is being changed?

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

You wrote "Perhaps I wanted to send you a message, moron. You can't message someone you've blocked."

The fact remains if this is true then it's you who's a moron for blocking me.

[Greywyn7]

As I said, perhaps I had a change of heart. Do you enjoy fruitless argument?

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

Then it's your problem if you block me dipshit.

[Greywyn7]

I never deflected unto you, that assertion is your own.

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

Are you being obtuse?

[Greywyn7]

I would hope not.

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

right.

[Greywyn7]

Indeed.

[CHARESTHEHAMER]

whatever.

[Greywyn7]

Cont.

Secondly, Dawkins works using these things called "facts." A theist doesn't know what these queer objects are. An agnostic or atheist is usually of that persuasion due to no evidence, common sense, etc. Therefore, they're working on the same rational grounds as Dawkins.

This is opposed to those who put their anti-science headphones on. They have no idea what he is saying, and since the televangelists say it's against their religion, they lash out. They're nothing but brainwashed idiots.

[winterstellar]

Dawkins rules the world! Forget the ancient religions/superstitions now, they are for morons! : )

[rickdomjoao]

Or mormons

[SCX2k]

lol good one ;)

[Mackaframmalamma]

Thanks for uploading this :)

[Slyvr18]

very interesting