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Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
Biologist Richard Dawkins makes a case for "thinking the improbable" by looking at how our human frame of reference -- the things we can perceive with our five senses, and understand with our eight-pound brain -- limits our understanding of the universe.
Think of it: We can't see atoms, we can't see infrared light, we can't hear ultrasonic frequencies, but we know without a doubt that they exist. What else is out there that we can't yet perceive -- what dimensions of space, what aspects of time, what forms of life?
Dawkins calls the human-size frame of reference "Middle World": between the microcosmos of atoms and the macrocosmos of the universe. Middle World thinking limits our ability to see the universe in terms of the improbable, whereas "in the vastness of astronomical space and geological time, that which seems impossible in Middle World might turn out to be inevitable."
RT 22:42
Think of it: We can't see atoms, we can't see infrared light, we can't hear ultrasonic frequencies, but we know without a doubt that they exist. What else is out there that we can't yet perceive -- what dimensions of space, what aspects of time, what forms of life?
Dawkins calls the human-size frame of reference "Middle World": between the microcosmos of atoms and the macrocosmos of the universe. Middle World thinking limits our ability to see the universe in terms of the improbable, whereas "in the vastness of astronomical space and geological time, that which seems impossible in Middle World might turn out to be inevitable."
RT 22:42
Nov 12, 2007 2:03 PM
Re: R. Dawkins: Queerer Than We Can Suppose
Ah, Dawkins' observations are a lesson that I learned a couple of careers ago as a junior officer at a PR firm: Perception is everything.
By: spam_vigilante
Re: R. Dawkins: Queerer Than We Can Suppose
See? this is how you get to the top of the list. HOORA!
By: cheezsteak
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
Biologist Richard Dawkins.
So sick of this guy.
Every every every time I hear him speak,
I'm left befuddled
as to the merit of
biologist Richard Dawkins.
Biologist Richard Dawkins
on this show, that show, this forum, that forum.
This is the first time I've watched a TED lecture where I have been neither enraptured nor illuminated. This is the first time I've watched a TED lecture and been bored.
Biologist Richard Dawkins: Preaching To The Choir.
Biologist Richard Dawkins: Making Wonder Boring.
Biologist Richard Dawkins: Picking Easy Targets.
Biologist Richard Dawkins: Promoting Richard Dawkins.
He's like the Dr. Joyce Brothers of our time. A ubiquitous talking head who must have one hell of a media team working non-stop to promote his agenda, and that agenda is the promotion of "biologist Richard Dawkins."
Can somebody point out to me why biologist Richard Dawkins is relevant? What has he contributed to the great debate?
So sick of this guy.
Every every every time I hear him speak,
I'm left befuddled
as to the merit of
biologist Richard Dawkins.
Biologist Richard Dawkins
on this show, that show, this forum, that forum.
This is the first time I've watched a TED lecture where I have been neither enraptured nor illuminated. This is the first time I've watched a TED lecture and been bored.
Biologist Richard Dawkins: Preaching To The Choir.
Biologist Richard Dawkins: Making Wonder Boring.
Biologist Richard Dawkins: Picking Easy Targets.
Biologist Richard Dawkins: Promoting Richard Dawkins.
He's like the Dr. Joyce Brothers of our time. A ubiquitous talking head who must have one hell of a media team working non-stop to promote his agenda, and that agenda is the promotion of "biologist Richard Dawkins."
Can somebody point out to me why biologist Richard Dawkins is relevant? What has he contributed to the great debate?
By: spirot
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
I, for one, find him to be appealing. As a scientist more than his being atheist. Of course, to me? Science is always more appealing than theology. Just one man's opinion.
By: spam_vigilante
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
Totally. Dawkins, the scientist: riveting. Dawkins the fuming atheist: draining.
By: jbruddy
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
I think this says more about you than it says about him.
By: quisph
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
It certainly says something about me.
I don't like biologist Richard Dawkins. Obviously. Maybe it's just his accent, but I don't think so because I don't hate all Englishmen.
But I am serious about my query. The field of reference I have for him is video clips of him at this forum, that forum, "guest atheist" on some lousy news show, etc. and that series of his on atheism ... whatever that was called. And every time he speaks I am struck by his lack of intellectual rigour. His scalpel is dull. He is just as entrenched and unwilling to question his own position as the easy targets that he puts into his crosshairs... which is the antithesis of the scientific method.
I will however be influenced by evidence. I currently hold the position that biologist Richard Dawkins is a media whore who advocates science yet doesn't practice it and is as narrowminded and stubborn as any professional lobbyist you're going to find in Washington, D.C. If you can direct me towards what his scientific work is and what his contributions to the field of knowledge are, I will be glad to be edified.
(If, however, his sole relevance is his willingness to raise the flag of atheism and take on the dangerous hordes of theists... well... then he doesn't hold much interest to me. I've been an atheist since I was 9 yet he doesn't speak my language. I think he doth protest too much, too often, and too loudly.
I don't like biologist Richard Dawkins. Obviously. Maybe it's just his accent, but I don't think so because I don't hate all Englishmen.
But I am serious about my query. The field of reference I have for him is video clips of him at this forum, that forum, "guest atheist" on some lousy news show, etc. and that series of his on atheism ... whatever that was called. And every time he speaks I am struck by his lack of intellectual rigour. His scalpel is dull. He is just as entrenched and unwilling to question his own position as the easy targets that he puts into his crosshairs... which is the antithesis of the scientific method.
I will however be influenced by evidence. I currently hold the position that biologist Richard Dawkins is a media whore who advocates science yet doesn't practice it and is as narrowminded and stubborn as any professional lobbyist you're going to find in Washington, D.C. If you can direct me towards what his scientific work is and what his contributions to the field of knowledge are, I will be glad to be edified.
(If, however, his sole relevance is his willingness to raise the flag of atheism and take on the dangerous hordes of theists... well... then he doesn't hold much interest to me. I've been an atheist since I was 9 yet he doesn't speak my language. I think he doth protest too much, too often, and too loudly.
By: spirot
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
And... I kind of went off topic in that post. I apologize because he doesn't actually speak of atheism in the TED lecture.
So to the point... in this lecture Universe is Queerer than we think... he's just patting himself on the back and giving permission to everybody else in the room to pat themselves on the back.
It's a TED lecture... and what's his message... we should encourage wonder and questioning and discovery... at a TED lecture... that's like encouraging fun at Disneyworld. Preaching to the choir.
So to the point... in this lecture Universe is Queerer than we think... he's just patting himself on the back and giving permission to everybody else in the room to pat themselves on the back.
It's a TED lecture... and what's his message... we should encourage wonder and questioning and discovery... at a TED lecture... that's like encouraging fun at Disneyworld. Preaching to the choir.
By: spirot
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
Jeeze, then dont watch his lectures. Your acting like you have a secret crush on the guy. =P <wink> he is rather dashing for an older english man. so dignified.
By: meat
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
http://www.simonyi.ox.ac.uk/dawkins/WorldOfDawkins-archive/Dawkins/Work/biblio.shtml
By: quisph
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
This post almost started off as a hiku... you could of had a good thing going there, spirot...
By: meat
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
Biologist Dick
So sick of this guy. He speaks,
I'm left befuddled
So sick of this guy. He speaks,
I'm left befuddled
By: bobolifoo
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
Richard's monologues
leave me slack-jawed and wond'ring
He said I drink pee.
leave me slack-jawed and wond'ring
He said I drink pee.
By: bobolifoo
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
Dick, if there's no God
Then what happens when we die?
(I did not drink pee)
Then what happens when we die?
(I did not drink pee)
By: bobolifoo
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
I can smell smoke. A great flame war is upon us.
By: White_Wolf
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
should have posted this as a reply so it would be at the top not at the bottom where we feel like this: DURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
By: cheezsteak
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
No, pay attention. I was the third poster with my message; all the flamers replied to message nr. 2. Guess why mine was more and more pushed to the bottom? Now, if there is a way to move messages around, I would be glad to make use of it.
What I should have done is reply to Nr. 2.
What I should have done is reply to Nr. 2.
By: White_Wolf
Re: Dawkins: Universe is Queerer Than We Can Suppose
do what I do: be cheap and reply to the first one.
By: cheezsteak
