Charlie Rose - E.O. Wilson & James Watson on Charles Darwin

[FuzzyDuck]

It's such a joy to see and hear these greats of science talk with such enthusiasm.

[SirCaesarOctavius]

fuzzyduck , you couln`t be more right..

I feel the same...

[josephesf]

Thank you Charlie,

I have not listened to all of your 30,000 interviews, but from those that I have listened to, this one stands out the most.

Thank you again,

[IamtheLordofDoom]

Is it just me, or was the dubbing way out? :(

Anyway, it was interesting to see and hear these two great men talk, even if the lipsync was out!

[MareIngenii]

Yes indeed, it gets more and more out of sync, the further the interview goes. What a shame, 'cause it's really great stuff.

[IamtheLordofDoom]

Why oh why do americans put up with this AWFUL advertising? It's infuriating!!!

[koldtoft]

I am the only one that want to eat Wilson & Warson's brain ?

[Nipstudent]

haha "When they can get 5,000 calories for under $10, they explode"

[RodHullIAmHim]

Wow, I assumed both Watson and Crik were no longer with us... What a joy to see and hear a true hero... Fantastic! Thanks so much for posting this...

[DoctorE0]

Believers will not change their mind until science can give them eternal life.

Death is what all religions thrive on

[dragoonthief]

Lol I love when people get really old. They either get very religious or they become staunch Atheists. AHHHH Life is so fun.

[nycbrasil]

Both great men - but even great men have flaws. It doesn't detract from the acheivements -- it just shows a flaw.

Wilson is an incredible scientist and human. His work on biodiversity is amazing and his commmitment to protecting it is almost spiritual. His book "On Human Nature" and his autobiographic "Naturalist" should be read by everyone. Great to share my world with him.

[NikoCardozo09]

I'm just in 10th grade doing a biology assiagnment. I'm just amazed of what E.O. Wilson and james Wilson did to contribute to our scientific studies. I think of it as if we didn't have these men exist, everything would change. I owe it to them to what they've done to make science and technology to what it is today.

[RobDeManc]

I must say it is always great to hear American accents saying something positve about evolutionary theory.

[RuudvanGOLL]

Darwin proved Religion is a freaking HOAX!

[garyokee]

Nothing of the kind.

Darwin was studying to become a country pastor. It was the death of his first and most beloved daughter that lead him to question the existance of God...not his theory of evolution.

If anything, the magnificence of creation only furthered his appreciation of the mystery and majesty of creation.

Read his biography. Great stuff!

[Schmoikel]

Not sure if I'd agree with you with regards to the death of his daughter being the catalyst that led him to question the existence of god.

True, when his daughter Annie died Charles was devastated. But through his research and discovery of the mechanism that drives natural selection, the need for a creator was put into question. This may have led Darwin to a more deist approach which then led to agnosticism.

Anyways, everyone should read his books. They're online and FREE!

[macomoto]

You suffer from the God Delusion

[mrfloydp]

Not only is religion a hoax, its a hoax that cost the lives of millions and have prescribed pain and suffering for millions more.

Religion is not the solution to the problem, religion IS the problem.

[chrisbetarez]

True religion has done alot of damage but I have no particular beef with it... I despise utter stupidity which brings me into conflict with religion alot, I favour logical thinking. But on the scheme of things its just human social evolution n all that jazz... theres been alot of religons alot of answers to the big quetsions n will continue to be. Despite how obviously moranical they r to u n me ;)

[mrfloydp]

"If the question were put to me, would I rather have an ape for a grandfather or a man, who possesses great means and influence and who employs those faculties merely to introduce ridicule into a grave scientific discussion, I unhesitatingly declare my preference for the ape." --Thomas Henry Huxley

[mrfloydp]

"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet hs gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved" --Charles Darwin

[mrfloydp]

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution" --Theodosius Dobzhansky

"Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe. All this is suggested by the systematic procession of events and the harmony of the whole Universe, if only we face the facts, as they say, 'with both eyes open'." --Copernicus

[mrfloydp]

The only proper scientific stance is agnosticism. There may or may not be one or more supreme being. No one has ever been dead and then returned from the dead. However...

Those who are aware of the evidence and refuse to accept that life forms do evolve by natural selection are just plain idiots. And those who put their head in the sand and avoid the truth are too.

Even Pope John Paul issued an appology to Galileo Galilei because saw that science was right.

[christophlovesjacqui]

Wallace was a far greater scientist. He didn't, "Develop his theory identical to Darwin's."

Darwin, the slow plodder he was, stole Wallace's ideas from his letters and, 15 months after Wallace mailed them to Darwin, he published them.

Both Wallace and Darwin published their ideas the same year, before Origin of Species was published.

Darwin's publishing of that book and claim not to have received Wallace's letters is why we remember him as the great scientist.

He wasn't. Rather, a thief.

[mrfloydp]

Wallace and Darwin came up with identical theories simultaneously and when Wallace mailed his paper to Darwin, he knew he had to publish. They both deserve credit for coming up with the foundations for modern biology, neither is a thief.

It's people like you, who don't have a clue what you're talking about that leads to the continuing brainwashing of children. Let's face it, brainwashing is the only way to get a person to believe such nonsense.

[RobDeManc]

Darwin formed his theory while on the Beagle when he was in his thirties. It took him a long time to bring himself to publish because he was a religious man and had always believed in the bible. He published when he learned that Wallace had the same ideas. Darwin was the first and did the leg work for the theory.

[Eskarina6]

Research > lies!

1) Hard evidence PROVES he did NOT steal them from Wallace: Darwin WROTE DOWN his basic ideas almost 20yrs before "Origin".

2) Darwin & Wallace CO-WROTE an article on their ideas (1868 - before either published them).

3) Wallace himself always credited Darwin as the discoverer.

4) Darwin was a well-respected scientist long before publishing "Origin" (just not PUBLICLY known).

5) Darwin was a gentle, kind, careful man; it wouldn't even be in his nature to do what you claim.

[socalord1]

If one was to classify white people the word parasite would be used. Darwin stopped short of that classification his own peope. White people were welcome throughout the world and in return enslaved the world. A people who can only trace knowledge to Greece. The white man came into existance 6500 years ago. 500 years ago thought the world was flat. These discussion only reflect a people who up today still wonder their place on this planet. Classification mongrelization.

[barrettpj62]

I don't accept that we can define a human being by his or her race. Every one of us is a unique individual. The USA is a racial melting pot where many people have a mixture of native American, European and African genes. When you think of it like that such research seems less relevant.

[maxrusky]

read the "The Two Galileos of modern science" on the david duke website, and you will get a real understanding of this subject.

[sciencedoggy]

Are you fucking kidding? David "I'm a racist ass-hat" Duke?

[noventar]

This is out of sync =/

[noventar]

these "racist" comments are so stupid. If scientists find evidence (which they did) that one race is more intelligent than another, are we supposed to just ignore the research, hide the evidence, and call the scientists racists? What the fuck?

[sciencedoggy]

The Bell Curve has been totally debunked. Take an African Bushman and stick him in a pharmacology lab and he will look like an idiot; stick a pharm tech in the African Bush and he will be dead.

[noventar]

No, we are talking about difference in intelligence on a GENETIC level. What you are talking about is learned skills developed after a life time of habituation. What scientists have proven is that when different races grow up in the SAME environment, there is a significant difference in cognitive and systematic intelligence. No scientist would be silly enough to give a bushman a computer test and call him stupid.

Racism is such a taboo in America, it makes people irrational about science

[ashidar]

Watson IS NOT A RACIST or a IDIOT.

he discovered the fucking DNA structure,

and awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962.

He has come to the conclusion that Some races are more intelligent that others, and being the one that discovered DNA, i sure as hell would look into his work then just call him a Racist,

And i do Agree with him, within 15 years, This Hypotheses will be a fact.

[Maximo1887]

good comment

[oscarthedread]

they haven't discovered shit all they can see is the shadows of DNA. their 3d version is a cartoon.

[drizztf88]

Ubfortunately, Watson is a fucking racist.

[carcosa]

I guess the facts are fucking racist too. Reality is fucking racist.

[berther88]

Bananas in pyjamas are coming down the stairs,

Bananas in pyjamas are coming down in pairs,

Bananas in pyjamas are chasing teddy bears,

'cos on Tuesdays they all try to catch them unawares!

I like my comment best.

[CCTalk]

*they*

[CCTalk]

Oh yay, two old white farts who are under the impression that the are geniuses.

[Oppp2]

legends.

[skdowd]

Please no personal attacks!! I thought the discussion was interesting. You folks should read 'Guns, Germs and Steel,' as well as 'Collapse,' by Jared Diamond. Some of the things that have been argued about are discussed in detail in his books.

[happyinnanaimo]

I agree, and the National Geographic is on youtube!

[garyokee]

His comments about race were ignorant becuase they have no basis in scientific research and fact. He was speaking from his own personal prejudice; which if you are a celebrated, well-known, and respected scientist is ignorant.

Further, he admitted his own ignorance and public stated his own personal dismay and regret for making the comments that had no basis in research or fact.

[deadmann88]

That's exactly what the second half of this interview was about. Political reactions like yours to the very real implications of genetics and evolution in human populations. A fact you would prefer to remain ignorant of.

Being bullied into public statements did not change the facts in Galileo's day and it will not today.

[garyokee]

LOL - It happens that I am a genetics professor - hardly ignorant of genetics and evolution.

Watson was well known at the Cold Spring Harbor labs/Dolan DNA center as a bigot.

He was also an admitted misogynist. "Rosie" comments aside, read his autobiography Genes, Girls, Gamow. Watson had total disdain for women, He just wanted to get laid.

This isn't political. This is Watson on the record.

[deadmann88]

He could be paedophile for all it matters.

[mrfloydp]

Even if the shoe fits, you refuse to wear it.

And the fact that you are a genetics professor is deplorable. Science doesn't always fit into what we think the world should be like. The world is how it is, not because of any sort of God, but through natural laws.

[garyokee]

I missed my point. I am an evolutionist. I am not religious, nor do I prostelyze for the existence of a God. I prostelyze for the magnificense of creation resulting from natural selection.

My sole point is that Watson is a brilliant scientist, and a fairly repugnant human being.

[NikoCardozo09]

I get your point on Watson being a brilliant scientist. But what I'm bothered by is on an enoluntionist. I know that we have firgured out on how DNA works out and discovered on how to crack down the the DNA code. So how is that all an accident. That we're all just one big mistake?

[Schmoikel]

Accident has nothing to do with it. Nor does chance or mistake. Following the path of DNA backwards you will find RNA (favored hypothesis). RNA can catalyze reactions on it's own. Prior to RNA we most likely had nucleotides. No 'accident' just basic chemistry. Well, basic if your an Organic Chemistry teacher or O.C. student, otherwise it's rather complicated but you get my point.

[jonas2674]

"He just wanted to get laid" who wouldn't?

[macomoto]

"Watson was well known at the Cold Spring Harbor labs/Dolan DNA center as a bigot."- What that has to do with evolution??????

[garyokee]

Edward O. Wilson is a brilliant, and humble man.

Watson is a brilliant, thoroughly eccentric, pompous ass.

It's a shame though that his career has been capped by his unfortunate, and ignorant pronouncements about race.

[Gumbyrearygood]

Yeah, didn't E.O. once say that Watson was the most unpleasant person he had ever met in his life, or something? He is very pompous, indeed.

[jhessgirl]

Let's not forget about ms. barbara mcclintock, another person who discovered what the DNA structure looks like. Not just mr. watson and mr.crick. She had a X-Ray crystallography of a helical structure.

[tgmarr]

Barbara McClintock did not work on DNA structure or anything close. However, she did get a Nobel for discovering transposable elements. Barbara was an amazing person who challenged other scientists vigorously until the time of her death.

[jhessgirl]

You're right, I was incorrect. I meant Rosalind Franklin.

[ogedola]

Stop the hypocracy yes watson may be over generalizing but it is better to be a racist that a killer.

[rbiro77]

His comments are not so racist and rude,simply these are facts,alhought in our fake and over-pc world,such facts cannot be told in public.

Just look at the history recent or remote.

Whites made this world what it is today,with all goods and bads.

You can dispute it,but cant deny it,we should admire such folks questioning god(sic):-) and unreal social beliefs.

[news3210]

man...

i dont know if its scarry.but..

ok .. anyone hawe gay gens.

so you can turn to a gay if your brain accepts easily.:)

[flexorder]

It is just like the 'gay' gene. If a research project found conclusive proof of a single gene causing homosexual behavior, the project would be suppressed because of the social implications not the soundness of the research. Group would fear that there would be an attempt to test and screen out babies with the gay gene just like Down Syndrome.

[credman]

Not to mention how much the religious right is invested in the idea that homosexuality is a choice. They'll never accept anything that would force them to rethink their obsession with labeling homosexuality a sin.

[utube9000]

Well, if homosexuality is genetic, would you be opposed to using future technology to prevent it?

[flexorder]

That just goes to show intellectual smart does not mean politically smart. I have read in some articles that some ethnic groups have higher IQ scores than others. I do not know if this information has been confirmed, but today's society does not want to fund or even recognize this type of research because of the social implications.

[news3210]

yeaah.

if you are living with cows land.

how you can explain sciene?

this man is cleaver.

but he forget somethigs like this is zombie land.

so there is no research no info you allowed to say jus one word.

"niggers are important then anything "

[ky8563le]

There was NOTHING racist about Watson's comments. Go read them in total, not just the blurbs on CNN. It is not at all outlandish to suggest that humans evolving on separate continents would evolve differently. Watson was pointing out that the institution that exists is seldom favorable to non Caucasians. Hence Affirmative action programs. Its not racism its fact.

[warriorprince1010]

James watson...nobel prize winner, racist, atheist, fantasist.

[mangazos]

James Watson just made a racist remark against black which led to the Science Museum in London to cancel his lecture. As much as I admire Watson´s work, I found disgusting his racist comments which just bring down his prestige as a scientist. I pity him.

[holypoop2020]

shut up you nigger loving idiot

[MrFrankBullitt]

Smart Guys!

[dandroid74]

belief in god is merely philosophical and hypothetical. in the end, it is merely running in a circle. a mass delusion

[acm4bass]

The belief in a god is seperate from a belief in science or its method. Im an Atheist, and could list off over a dozen reasons why i dont believe, but please realise belief in god is a personal decison beyond practical details..science will NEVER have a perspective or detail enough to disprove god or gods.

To disrespect a majority of people is stupid. Please feel welcome to believe as I do that god doesnt exist, but dont bother criticizing somebody elses belief on this matter.

[ivanthegreat1980]

it is my conjecture that you have been influenced by a

JEW!

[phaunger]

Even "Jews" believe in God so your attack has no validity. Whether there is a God is a question that will be answered by the passage of time. Just as Judeo-Christians, Muslims, and Jews believe that God will return in some form at some point, while science at the same time is answering questions and trying to fill the gaps that have yet to be answered.

[credman]

What's so damn respectable about what the majority of people believe? The majority of people think drinking beer and watching football are adequate qualifications to dismiss the life's work of thousands of brilliant scientists like Watson, who probably contains more intelligence in his pinky alone than they'll ever display in a lifetime.

[ivanthegreat1980]

well any serious scientist who believes in a personal god would be seriously STUPID!

[RichBond75]

I have not read a more blatantly silly comment in a really really long time. Thank you "ivanthegread1980", for showing once again how little you know about science and metaphysics.

[ivanthegreat1980]

You are a 17 yearold little idiot ! stick your metaphysics Pseudoscience up your ass !

[RichBond75]

Oh, and I thought you were 12.

[Dirus23]

Outstanding