Daniel Dennett 3of3: Evolution of Language and Music

Daniel Dennett describes how Darwin introduced the idea of natural selection by comparing it to the selective breeding of domestic animals; including intentional selection as well as unconscious selection. Dennett also introduces a fourth category, genetic engineering. He then goes on to show how these categories also apply to the evolution of cultures.

From a conference in 1998 called Der Digitale Planet (The Digital Planet), which also included Douglas Adams, Richard Dawkins, Jared Diamond and Steven Pinker. Links follow:

Douglas Adams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msAF_MDYWNE

Richard Dawkins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdBOb9tQjNU

Stephen Pinker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVrb5ClvDho

Jared Diamond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV_P1VGqMBo


Found here (at the bottom):
http://www.reitstoen.com/dennett.php

Direct link to video (real media):
http://www.web-for-vision.com:8080/ramgen/SPIEGEL/Wfv_Isdn.smil

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• dennett
• memes
• memetic
• engineering
• evolution
• culture
• language
• music

[bersa888]

The point about Bach is especially close to my personal feelings about the composer... honestly, as a musician, there's nothing magical about Bach's music. It may sound magical or God-sent to the musical ignorant or to the blindly religious ones. This does not take away the beauty of the composition or its effectiveness.

[theinquisitor]

@bersa888, as someone with very little knowledge of the technical aspects of music, I'm curious about whether knowing those details actually increases it's aesthetic appeal?

[bersa888]

@theinquisitor (cont.) ... at the same time I love the "effect" that music and the arts can solicit on our senses... but a drug-like stupor or mindless ecstasy is not what a look for when I listen to a beautiful piece of music... my mind always leans toward an other kind of "understanding", trying to grasp forms, structures and those elements that make that passage so effective - and beautiful to listen to. And this was true even before I became a musician/composer :-)

[theinquisitor]

@bersa888, music to my ears, pun intended. I know a couple of people who think that understanding spoils beauty, and I find it utterly incomprehensible. I also find that knowledge of something beautiful only deepens it's beauty. I always want to know how the magic trick works, and it's more interesting after finding out than before. I was considering learning to play an instrument, and finding out that it could deepen my appreciation of music only makes me more eager to do so. Thanks :-D

[dgdfhfghgfhgfgffjhj]

To turn this into a complete ripping on religion, many think that the Holy Bible is the best book ever, and some even say that they believe it to be divinely inspired because it is such an amazing and touching story.

But the first half was copied directly and shamelessly from common pre-Jesus mythology, and the second half is original in name only, sharing many elements of many previous stories. Only in isolation is it impressive.

[dgdfhfghgfhgfgffjhj]

The overrated Bach phenomenon is easily seen in modern movies.

I have seen a lot of "ripoff" movies which are well-made despite having mostly-unoriginal plots, and I have sometimes thought, "that would be an awesome movie if it was the only one of that sort ever made." But viewed among its peers and predecessors, it is only a fair amount better than average and certainly not divinely inspired.

[dgdfhfghgfhgfgffjhj]

@stehoz87

I will re-write that for you:

"I haven't got any knowledge, so I will use another word and claim to have that instead."

Sorry, religion is still retarded.

[heeh2]

@theinquisitor

The book "Unweaving the rainbow" by Richard Dawkins is about the aesthetics of understanding. check it out!

[bersa888]

@theinquisitor :You're welcome!

[bersa888]

@theinquisitor : it does for me and for my musician (mostly professionals) friends. Knowing exactly why we love chocolate or how love works (!) wouldn't ruin anything for me, on the contrary. I think it all depends on how someone's mind work. As a skeptic, rational person, I WANT to know as much as possible about our world and ourselves. Growing up I wanted to know how Bach or Mozart "did it". Even without their musical intellects, learning & hard work can really illuminate a "mystery" :-)