The Magic of Reality - an inside look at Richard Dawkins first children's book

Illustrated commentary on the 2011 children's book by one of our greatest scientists. Barlow and Dowd read excerpts, show pictures, and discuss why this "courageous and necessary book" may indeed help evolve the religions of the world along the lines of, what Dowd calls, the Evidential Reformation.

Other resources brought into the commentary:

Jennifer Morgan: "Born with a Bang" book trilogy for kids
http://www.universestories.com/

Evolutionary Parables (stories and dramatic scripts)
http://www.thegreatstory.org/parables.html

Great Story Beads (13.7 billion years represented in beads)
http://www.thegreatstory.org/great_story_beads.html

"Inspiring Naturalism" audio podcast series (by Barlow and Dowd)

"Poetry of Reality" excerpt is courtesy of John Boswell, aka Symphony of Science.

Note: This video was created as a supportive comment on the Youtube video official trailer for Dawkins' book:
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True by Richard Dawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlUPlpUci4c

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Richard Dawkins
• Connie Barlow
• Michael Dowd
• Magic of Reality
• evolution
• children
• science
• science education
• myths
• poetry of reality
• Jennifer Morgan
• Born with a Bang
• religious education
• Christianity
• origin
• stories
• parables
• the great story
• creationism
• Epic of Evolution
• teaching evolution
• kids
• James Randi
• religious
• naturalism
• fairy tales
• Denny O'Neil
• homeschool
• biology
• sun
• rainbow
• unitarian
• religion
• liberal

[thegreatstory]

I (Connie Barlow) filmed this video 2 days ago, edited it and posted it yesterday morning. Then heard the book is also available in audio. So I got it thru Audible, and began listening to "Uncle Richard" and "Aunt Lalla" reading it to me as a bedtime story last night. Wow! The audio version is perfect for us grown-ups! Such a treat to hear their actual voices, and then conjure pictures n my mind!

[bvjorge]

I wish we had atheist schools :D

[echoparty]

I wish I had this book as a child. Love the video great job.

[akahdrin]

Excellent review, only complaint I have is...fishes...it's just fish ;)

[armanduk2010]

I bought it a week ago. Loving it :-)

[mythink101]

caused him to ask more questions. Could Richard Dawkins book just be a modern myth as it seems to create more questions than it answers.

[mythink101]

Thank you for putting this promotional audio visual together. My son is 10 and I went through the book together. He loves science and doesn't believe in Santa of Christmas. He did ask me some profound questions though like how did life start life? He wasn't satisfied with a story. He loves Lego and told me that construction comes from instruction. The peices don't put themseves together. Could there be instructions from an instructor that puts us together? I told him about DNA but just caused h

[lebronjamesXD]

i might consider geting this book :)

[b991228]

You two have created a real gem here. It's great to see science presented as a joy in itself and not a full frontal assault on religion. The reality that sciense presents is something that all students should embrace. Religions must also recognize that if they hope to continue to have a place in this world they must come to grips with reality as well.

[nordhorny]

Thank you Connie and Michael for this little gem. It is lovely to hear a fellow Richard-appreciaist, if you will ! Have long followed his work and admired his courage in taking on the might of the religious. As a PhD zoologist myself, I particularly appreciate his evolutionary biology books and how beautifully written they are too.

A nod to Hitch, Sam and Dan too. I think you are with me on that...

Prof. Richard Dawkins M.A., D. Phil., Dr. Sc., FRS, FRSL

[journey2blue]

Thanks for this explanatory video. I just forwarded it to our church FaceBook page and to our religious education director!