Douglas Adams 2of2: Expanding perspective with science

Douglas Adams talks about how our nature as an evolved creature and our limited perspective, can lead to some fundamental assumptions and misconceptions. Most of the talk is included, but a few minutes were taken out to fit it to two clips. Image quality isn't great, and the source video isn't much better.

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

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

Daniel Dennett: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psBwnE0ByUw

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:

• science
• life
• complexity
• consciousness
• emergence
• evolution

[Etimespace]

Thats nice, but quess what?

Space dont expanding at all.

I can proof that science way.

Check it out my video

Hello Jim Carrey, i know how universe really working.

.

[theinquisitor]

@Etimespace, gibberish is you speak.

Using mind power english not make good.

Space do expanding.

Stupid you are.

Go draw more dots.

[GetMeThere1]

Good. This reminds me of something I've thought of many times (and, apparently, NOBODY else thinks of much)....and it's this:

THIS is exactly the kind of thing we ought to be teaching young kids (starting at like ages 6-8 or so). Teaching them HOW we think, WHAT are our built-in prejudices, etc. Epistemology for children.

THINK of how far those children could progress vs a system where instead ONLY the brightest of them figure this stuff out in their 30's and beyond.

[aravindh2002]

Adams reignited my passion for astronomy. I know most of the stuff he's talking about, but I still can watch this again and again for his sheer enthusiasm.

[z3r0t0l3r4ns]

@MazeleyFanClub

What does that have to do with the comment that you are replying to? Or are you one of those depressingly simple people that still think we need god to tell us how to behave?

[bradkey98765]

@SEDomination I feel that in the current 1st world countries people’s view on sex is becoming more and more independent from birth rates. With the effectiveness of contraceptives increasing overtime choosing to not have a child while enjoying sexual congress above most if not all things is very viable.

So in answer to your question, it's not particularly related. People’s views on sex will stay the same as it is one of the only things that all of our ancestors have in common.

[SEDomination]

@bradkey98765

Very interesting thought! What do you think of decreasing birth-rates in 1st world countries- is that related?

[TheUndeadAmerican]

You guys should check out the film 'Creation' about the life of Darwin. Its about his struggle to bring the truth to the religous world.

[dominictemple]

God damn, I would have loved to have met this man, his death was such a loss to the world.

[Guerrilla705]

@GetMeThere1 actually one of the beliefs of the IB programme, hence the requirement of ToK and other types of teaching. Its a very good program for what you decribe, but it comes at the cost of cold hard memorized information, which is still what the education system (At least in america) is about, and has been since the beginning of the cold war. The standard school system produces scientists to make bombs, not scientists to ask questions.

[bradkey98765]

@cindermonkey2004 well... that's an easy question. It shows that mankind enjoy sex more than science, why? Because a widespread over importance is vital for any species survival.