BBC/OU Annual Lecture 2009: Dawkins on Darwin Q&A (Part 2 of 4)

After the lecture a questions and answers session took place, involving a panel of Darwin experts and hosted by Jonathan Silvertown, Professor of Ecology at The Open University and editor of the book 99% Ape, which forms the basis of Darwin and Evolution at the Open University.

The panel includes: Jim Moore11, Professor of the History of Science at The Open University and co-author of Darwins Sacred Cause; Doctor Peter Skelton12, Reader in Palaeobiology at The Open University and a contributor to 99% Ape and Steve Jones, Professor of Genetics at University College London and author of Darwins Island: the Galapagos in the Garden of England.

The Annual Lecture was held in partnership with Darwin 2005 and co-hosted by the Natural History Museum, and formed part of the Darwin 200 celebrations.

via http://RichardDawkins.net

http://www.AtheistMedia.com

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[MsAntitheist]

thanks for uploading this

[sduford]

ˇhe individual next to Richard really doesn't get "digital". Yes it takes hundreds of genes to define height, but each gene is digital. For example, it takes millions of bits to make this video, a complex artifact, yet each bit is digital. In other words, while the video looks analog, the underlying technology is undeniably digital.

[Geistkampfer]

1:07

Sir David Attenborough :D :D

[jacksawild]

@sduford But really, is there such a thing as analogue? All matter arises out of differing fusions of hydrogen atoms, which in turn are built from a debatable number of sub atomic particles which in turn are manifestations of concentrated and discrete energy packets. Perhaps our definition of analogue is simply a matter of phenomena being too complicated to break down, currently. I suspect the universe and everything in it is digital.

[xxzmikezxx]

i dont like dawkins answer to the 1st question about altruism to animals - particularly the comparison to sex with contraceptives. he did not explain any evolutionary advantage to this trait. I would say that being sexually attracted to animals is as beneficial as this kind of altruism. generally it would be better to fear animals than feel altruism towards them. generalised altruism to all human beings has a clear evolutionary explanation.......

[darkfur35]

does dawkins worship darwin?

[Majoofi]

It is a ridiculous assumption that every trait we or another species carries means that there is an evolutionary reason for it. The fact that we have a trait doesn't mean there's an advantage. It only means that the trait is passed down and that it was detrimental enough to get the trait carrier killed or selected completely out of the gene pool.

[Mr88playmaker]

DNA code is empirical proof that biological life forms are a creative product of information and language. i.e.: Nous / Logos (Einstein called this: "The MIND of GOD").

[klalkity]

That's Steve Jones. He made Dawkins wince in the first video as well. I'm sure Dawkins wanted to slap him.

[brucesan]

There is no such thing as an 'altruism gene'. Very simple characteristics like lactose intolerance or haemoglobin deficiency may well only be controlled by a few genes or perhaps even one. Complex characteristics such as human behaviour including altruism are determined by huge numbers of genes all working together in various ways.

[Elcristoph]

I sware, why do they keep using terms like darwinian when talking about modern evolution theory...