The Poetry of Reality with Richard Dawkins

Why are there two sexes, and how is the balance between the two maintained in evolution? The riddle is one that baffled Chales Darwin. He explicitly left it for later generations. It was eventually solved, with typical brilliance, by the great Ronald Fisher. The fundamental sexual inequality is an economic one. Eggs are hugely larger than sperm. From this much follows. Why do peacocks have such a ridiculously large, ornamental ?tail?, when it obviouly must put them in danger? Do females go for male beauty for beauty?s sake (as Darwin thought, and Fisher explained)? Or are males advertising some useful quality (as AlfredWallace, Darwin's co-discoverer of natural selection, insisted). Is the peacock?s tail favoured in spite of being a handicap? Or could it be favoured precisely becuse it is a costly handicap? Does it have to be costly as a certificate of honesty? Do females only go for honest males? This is a talk I gave on a ship crusing the Galapagos archipelago.

I filmed a conversation about death shortly after Dan Dennett recovered from a life-threatening condition. In addition to discussing personal mortality, we talked about bereavement. I thought this time it would be appropriate to listen again to his wisdom?the wisdom of a great thinker and a dear friend. Big books, was an eloquent speaker, had deep knowledge of science as well as philosophy, was a talented musician and sculptor, lived a full life and died in harness. It leaves a huge gap in the world of intellect, Dan, I will miss you so much, so deeply.

This episode features the eminent scientist, Prof. Martin Rees, as he joins me in traversing the worlds of physics and biology. Together, he and I grapple with the profound complexities of understanding reality, from contemplating multiple dimensions to exploring the implications of scientific insights that inspire and challenge us. Dive into the evolution of humankind to include digital and AI creations, ponder philosophical questions of consciousness and self-awareness, and speculate on the future of machine consciousness.

Join me for another thought-provoking Q&A session with Taryn Southern on a wide range of topics, from the ethics of selective breeding and eugenics to western liberal sympathy toward Islam and wokeism. You asked me what I think about trans people, genes and sexual orientation, mindfulness and AI

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In this episode, journalist Andrew Sullivan and Richard Dawkins fearlessly confront society's aversion to directness and the double standards that govern criticism, challenging the breakdown of democratic conversation in America. They take a little dip into Dawkins' upbringing in Kenya and England before exploring the primal instincts of prey, predator, and the arms race, shedding light on nature's intent and the marvels of survival. As they navigate the terrifying yet exhilarating immensity of the universe, they contemplate and debate over life's meaning, Jesus and the role of religion as solace in the face of nothingness. But does moral philosophy really require the supernatural? Does scienctific truth make a man desolate? And what is the truth of human nature and the sex binary? Sullivan and Dawkins tackle a wide array of topics, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for understanding.

Richard Dawkins is coming for the world's psychics, telepaths and spiritualist practitioners in this episode, with his relentless curiosity and pursuit for revealing the truth against all odds. Richard fearlessly confronts psychic Craig Hamilton Parker in a quest to unravel the mysteries of spiritualist practices. He rigorously channels his dedication to exposing scams and dismantling delusions as he challenges Parker's claims about communicating with the spirit world, with razor-sharp logic and unyielding skepticism. Watch as this back-and-forth sheds light on the truth behind the veil of mysticism and explores science's long battle with mediums. Skepticism vs belief, faith vs empirical evidence, reason vs the fog of deception - who wins this round?

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I had an intriguing conversation with Bishop Richard Holloway, former Head of the Church of Scotland. He is a most intelligent, interesting and pleasant man.

Join us as we explore the human lust to be good to others, and the impulse to give. We navigate the delicate balance between belief and scepticism, with Holloway confessing that he's ?between gods? and me reflecting on being, technically, an agnostic.

Throughout our conversation, we critically examine the poetic value of religious myth and its impact on human culture. We confront the age-old question of whether religion offers consoling fiction or genuine comfort in the face of life?s uncertainties.

In this episode I sit down with Professor Michael Baum to dissect with brutal honesty the intricacies and pitfalls of the alternative medicine industry. We dive deep into the challenges posed by a scientifically illiterate House of Commons and the prevailing misconception that science is too daunting for the average person to comprehend. We confront the disturbing trend of individuals taking pride in their ignorance, a mindset that perpetuates the acceptance of unproven remedies in the fight against cancer.

From herbal remedies to homeopathy and other alternative medicines, Michael Baum and I unravel the allure of these treatments, examining the placebo effect and the reliance on anecdotal evidence that often accompanies them. We emphasize the vital importance of the scientific method, which demands unwavering honesty and has the potential to challenge our deeply entrenched belief systems.
 

Deepak Chopra is a medical doctor with mystical leanings, who has built a highly successful second career as a purveyor of alternative remedies, and deepities that I would say ? and here, I suppose I show my bias ? impress those who think that if they can?t understand something it must be profoundly significant. As part of my Channel Four documentary Enemies of Reason, I asked him to explain his concept of Quantum Healing. We went on from there.

This episode features a conversation with my friend, writer, broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth, from his podcast Rosebud. We reminisce over my memories of growing up in Kenya and the UK, going over our journeys with private education, bad teachers, young love, and the first time learning about starfish filled me with wonder and awe over science and the natural world.

It was my pleasure to speak with American cosmologist and professor of physics Janna Levin, about a range of subjects around religion, morality and improving public scientific literacy. 

How does our society rob children of the right to truth, by indoctrinating them into their beliefs at an early age? We discuss freedom through science, the inspiration of wonder and awe in the cosmos in my books Outgrowing God, The Selfish Gene, Climbing Mount Improbable and Unweaving The Rainbow, morality and altruism, and the love and hate my work receives in equal parts from across the world.

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Bill Nye The Science Guy is a cultural icon, and it was my honour to award him the Richard Dawkins 2023 award at CSICON for his exemplary work in making scientific knowledge more accessible. We spoke about everything from life in outer space, to climate change, to improving governance and the quality of life on earth - and how creating a scientifically literate society is, truly, the key. _______________________ 

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In this interview with philosopher Dan Dennett, we discussed his brilliant book I've Been Thinking and the evolution of not just humankind, but of language and culture. We explored questions like: What is the future of human consciousness? And what role do AI technology and deep fakes play in our understanding of truth and reality? 
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I led a classroom of London high schoolers for a Channel 4 documentary, on the subject of Charles Darwin and evolution. It inspired questions from curious young minds that I then engaged with - about the nature of religious belief, about time and space, and about the truth of the origin of life.

Bertha Vazquez is a former school teacher, the director of education at the Center For Inquiry and the director of TIES (Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science). A long time ally in nurturing reason and critical thinking among children, she is passionate about training teachers across America in teaching evolution and science in ways that work. I was delighted to learn about her work in awakening a spirit of curiosity and inquiry in young students, and how TIES programs like Generation Skeptics and Save Science are changing the nature of school education and scientific learning. 

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Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of my heroes, for all the work she has done to expose ignorance and oppression, for her stance on the human right to liberty. I am surprised she aligns herself with Christianity - and I fear she mixes being a Christian up with being a good human being. Here's a heartfelt letter I wrote to her about it. 

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This episode features me in direct debate with Christian political conservative Wendy Wright. We talk about teaching evolution in schools, the "controversy" it poses for religious conservatives, about the evidence-base, truth and intolerance towards differences.

She brings up dogmatism in the scientific community, and I push back about enabled ignorance in her own, while we share a mutual desire for human altruism and empathy.

This uncut conversation with Father George Coyne of the Catholic Church did not make its way onto the original show on Channel 4 years ago, and I'm glad to be able to give it the attention it deserves today. A devout Catholic and a lover of science, George Coyne provides a fascinating take on traditions of faith, the danger of religious literalism, and how he views evolution as a seamless part of God's work.

Join me in a new conversation with Alex O'Connor as we discuss a range of topics, including Jordan Peterson, Ayaan Hirsi Ali's journey into Christianity, my bafflement at how Alex could stand three years of studying the non-subject of theology, the fear of death, and other things.

Why won?t ChatGPT dispute the existence of God? What is the evolutionary purpose of wonder and awe in the face of nature? Can a community exist independent of religion? And can we expand the human lifespan? Find out the answers to these and more, as I take on all your questions. 
 

The human eye and the human brain help us process reality. How accurate is our shared perception of reality? Scientific knowledge helps us clear the rubble from the path and see things for what they are. In the last part of Growing Up In The Universe, I take you through virtual reality models in the human mind and in computers. Through them we examine the questions: How do imagination, language and technology help us discern what is real from what is not? And what does the future of the human mind and perception look like? 
 

Did you know the bee sees flowers in ultraviolet hues? The fourth part of the Christmas Lectures dives headfirst into the world from the perspective of animals, birds and insects. The idea that they all just exist for us humans is a myth. Are you curious how they actually experience the universe? How - much like the computer virus - they move with purpose and in perfect synchronicity. Indulge your curiosity and discover a whole new poetic perspective of the world.

Climbing Mount Improbable is a 1996 popular science book by Richard Dawkins. The book is about probability and how it applies to the theory of evolution. It is designed to debunk claims by creationists about the probability of naturalistic mechanisms like natural selection

I interviewed American biologist Jerry Coyne and author of 'Faith vs Fact: Why Science and Religion are Incompatible' and 'Why Evolution Is True'.

We covered a myriad of controversial topics plaguing our world today: from the religious conflict in Gaza to modern-day struggles with freedom of speech, from the prospect of revolt against oppression to considering the demands of the Maori people, and also on affirmative action and the debate about race.

The Origins Project Foundation, in collaboration with Atheists UK, presented a conference in Birmingham, where I had the pleasure of interviewing the founder himself, Lawrence Krauss, distinguished physicist and a dear colleague.

In this conversation, What resonated most strongly during our conversation was our shared belief in the transformative power of science to dispel ignorance and fear. Science is not merely a discipline but a beacon of light, guiding us out of the darkness of ignorance and towards a more enlightened, informed world.

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We live in a world that is bordering on Orwellian, where a baying mob of zealots intimidates us against speaking the truth, where culture wars feature censorship and heresy hunting.

Professor Jordan Peterson posed a question to me: Does woke count as a religion?

The answer is yes, and here?s why.

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This episode features a conversation I had with Paula Kirby at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in Scotland, tackling themes of life as we know it - how it came to be on earth, and where else it may occur in our universe. 

We mused on the likelihood of alien lifeforms appearing god-like to humans, the probability of there being multiple versions of us in parallel universes, and other topics arising.

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Break the Science Barrier is a TV documentary that I presented on Channel 4 in 1996. It argues for the importance, for society, of scientific ways of thinking. In it, I interviewed David Attenborough, Alec Jeffreys, who discovered DNA fingerprinting, and Douglas Adams, who gave a wonderful impromptu eulogy for science. I also interviewed a man who was wrongly convicted of murder because none of the lawyers, on either side, knew anything about science. The program ends on a more positive note ? what I later came to call Science in the Soul.

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#science #documentary #ThePoetryOfReality #truth #belief #scientific #richarddawkins #darwinism #dawkins #goddelusion #selfishgene

In February of this year, I toured Australia and New Zealand, being interviewed on stage by a different interviewer in each of six cities. One memorable stop was Perth, where I was interviewed by Tom Nash. I was touched that he began by asking me about my relationship with my beloved mentor, John Michael Cullen before Michael moved from Oxford to Australia.

During the interview with Tom, we discussed a great variety of topics including dogs, peacocks, memes, extraterrestrial life, and what is a woman?

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In this episode I go beyond the abstract to the appalling treatment of Rana Ahmad, a brave young woman from Saudi Arabia. A student of physics, she became an atheist and had to flee from her family. She found refuge in Germany and published a book, Women Aren?t Allowed to Dream, which became a Spiegel bestseller. She bravely speaks out about the dangers in the Muslim world faced by those accused of apostasy. In this episode I interview her and am deeply moved by her courage.

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#richarddawkins #thepoetryofreality #apple #spotify #science #religion #atheism #truth #substack #muslims #islam #islamophobia #women #humanrights #freedom #ranaahmad

I?ve long been wrongly accused of Islamophobia. This episode explains what I?m really phobic about.

To know more about CSICon 2023 visit: https://csiconference.org/

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In this episode of The Poetry Of Reality, we sit in on an engrossing conversation between Richard Dawkins and Peter Singer on stage in Melbourne, Australia.

Peter Singer is a moral philosopher, known for his work in bioethics and being one of the intellectual founders of the modern animal rights movement.

He and Dawkins discuss everything from nature and evolution, to god and ethics, through the lens of their work as prolific authors and discoverers of truth. Tune in to listen to two great thinkers explore rich questions, around the survival of genes and human altruism, the suffering native to nature, reason and its application to morality, the role of design in the universe, and the meaning behind pain and consciousness.

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#ThePoetryOfReality #PeterSinger #MoralPhilosophy #Religion #Science #TheSelfishGene

The origin of our universe is one of the greatest mysteries we face. Why is there something rather than nothing? How did we come to exist in a world with such precise laws of nature?

How we answer these questions determines everything, from the meaning of our lives to the secrets of our futures.

This episode of The Poetry Of Reality features Jack Symes in conversation with Richard Dawkins, joined by Jessica Frazier speaking on Hinduism, Silvia Jonas speaking on Jewish philosophy, and Richard Swinburne defending Christianity.

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What is life? What came before the Big Bang? Why is natural selection so inherently cruel? How does one find meaning? Join Richard Dawkins in this Q&A with Taryn Southern, where he answers all your burning questions.

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Is white privilege the modern day Original Sin? How is mass denial about the truth of gender, any different from Catholic transubstantiation? Is woke culture today's dogmatic religious mob?

Join me and Dr Peter Boghossian as we explore these questions and more in another episode of The Poetry Of Reality.

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#PoetryOfReality #GenderIdeology #Science #richarddawkins #science

Here is my conversation with Helen J on 'The Poetry of Reality', tackling the influence of gender ideology on society, the ideological lens, and its implications for scientific facts.

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Richard Dawkins is in conversation with the host of Uncomfortable Conversations, Josh Szeps, in this episode of The Poetry Of Reality. Set on a stage in the heart of Brisbane, Australia, this exclusive chat flows through a string of riveting subjects, from the wonders of the natural world, and our relatives in the chain of evolution, to how science is taught in schools, religion's hold on people's lives, and the discernment of truth in the age of misinformation. Sprinkled with great humour, wit and courage, this is a discussion you won't want to miss out on.

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This is Christopher Hitchens?s last interview. An abridged transcript was published in New Statesman at the time.

The inaugural episode of #ThePoetryOfReality is finally here! Join me & Ricky Gervais, actor, writer, irreverent comedian & poignant tragedian. CFI gave him the 2019 Richard Dawkins Award. Then I had an on-stage conversation with him & Richard Wiseman, psychologist, comedian & conjuror. Lots of laughs, lots to think about. See for yourself.

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Unveiling the trailer for a new show called The Poetry of Reality

The world of evolution, nature, and the universe is filled with wonder and beauty. But sometimes, people's beliefs without evidence, known as faith, can take away from the true magnificence of it all. Join Richard Dawkins on a journey to explore science and uncover the true beauty of reality.

Coming soon!

The Poetry of Reality is an amazing podcast where Richard Dawkins shares his life's work and personal thoughts. He explores the wonders of the universe, questions faith, and unravels the mysteries of human evolution.

Don't miss out on these mind-expanding conversations. Subscribe and follow The Poetry of Reality today!

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