Mankind 'God's Masterpiece or the Devil's Bad Joke?' - Eduardo Galeano

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/06/11/Eduardo_Galeano_Chronicles_the_History_of_Human_Adv...

Eduardo Galeano, Uruguayan journalist, writer and novelist, reads an excerpt from his book, Mirrors. He ponders the uniqueness of human beings when our DNA so closely resembles that of mice and monkeys. He questions whether or not mankind is "God's masterpiece or the devil's bad joke."

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In this history of human adventure, one of Latin America's most distinguished writers illuminates movements of ideas and society across centuries by recalling the lives of artists, writers, gods and visionaries-- from the Garden of Eden to 21st-century New York. - Los Angeles Public Library

Eduardo Galeano is the author of the Memory of Fire Trilogy, Open Veins of Latin America, Soccer in Sun and Shadow, and many other works. Born in Montevideo, in 1940, Galeano lived in exile in Argentina and Spain for many years before returning to Uruguay. His work has inspired popular and classical music composers from all over the world. He was the recipient of the first Lannan Prize for Cultural Freedom. He has just been awarded "The Outstanding Citizen of the South," a new prize awarded by the Common Market of the South.

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• humankind
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[silenciohospital]

The title is wrong. It's not "EUDARDO".... the name is "EDUARDO".

[ForaTv]

Got it, thanks.

[jkl0031]

I just want to say how much I appreciate it when you guys at Fora fix errors on postings without getting an attitude about it. You're good people.

[ForaTv]

Hey, no big deal. We're human, we make typos (hopefully not too often). Thanks to our viewers for not getting too upset about it. :)

[hotpapaish]

It is impossible to take anyone seriously who doesn't have their facts straight on basic biology. 

[vadh09]

I just love him...

[neephius]

@neephius No I dont nean i want America Gone Just the People that Make it a Joke.

The Politicians.

[neephius]

What your really saying is AMERICA is a Bad Joke. That every one wants gone.

[M1ST3RHYDE]

Wow, That was Beautifull

[natemorey]

uhhh I hate that he said the only ones who "rape, laugh" those umm no... lol otherwise right...

[sagekid2]

Let's dispose with God and the Devil and just agree that life is a goddamn joke.

[Saktoth]

Love? Penguins.

Daydream? I know my cat had dreams. She would twitch and run while she slept, probably dreaming of chasing mice. Im sure she daydreamt about something similiar.

Make silk from worms? The worms make the silk!

Beauty in rubbish? Bower Bird!

Colours beyond the rainbow? Many animals see beyond the spectrum of light that is visible to us (though arguably, they are are ALSO in the rainbow).

Music? Birds.

Words? Bonobos!

[smergel99]

Animals definitely rape, and not only for procreation, some do it for submission purposes. One could argue that they torture too, like a cat with a mouse or an orca whale with a seal, but we say that's just playfully exercising and learning. But aren't our "playful" instincts there to get us to be curious and learn? We may be the only carnivore that doesn't ever have to kill (us average consumers, that is)

[chopin65]

I had four sisters who used to torture me for sport. That's normal, though. After torturing me they would torture me more with liberal doses of kisses. These days I get far less excessive treatment from women.