Yes, Dawkins lurks here -- I don't think that often, but you never know when he might read your comment about him. He sent it after reading that I envy the British for being able to see his latest program.
Bouffant, I assume that Dawkins did the sending, as it's personalized to PZ.
My experience at book signings is that they will write almost whatever the buyer requests. I have discovered the limits of this by requesting the wording "to my sole heir,". Hasn't worked yet.
That's an amazing coincidence. I just this morning received a copy of the "stone angel" episode of the Simpsons, with the following inscription:
"Chris; love your comments at Pharyngula. Just had to pop in from The Mother Of All Non-Overlapping Magisteria to send my kudos. Best Regards, Steve G."
Wow PZ, *that* is truly an awesome gift. I guess this means that the series is only two total parts? Here's to hoping this great series does fantastically well on British TV. Such goodness will never be shown over here in Jesusland, USA.
I don't expect to see "The root of all evil?" on TV here in Poland either, but the programe (both episodes) is available through various P2P software (like Emule and Bit-torrent). They come in excellent quality.
But my reaction to the programs wasn't all that positive. His arrogance put me off, even though I'm also an atheist. (I'm not an anti-theist. That might be it.) Most surprisingly, he appears to be a fundamentalist Biblical literalist who just happens to not believe in God. It was very strange to see him repeat their method of thinking about the Bible and interpreting it.
P.S. No chance anyone will put it on BBCA, by the way, because it's not on the BBC at all, it's on Channel 4. The BBC is itself mostly pretty 'respectful' of religion, no doubt partly because when it's not (cf Jerry Springer the Opera) its execs get death threats.
The BBC is itself mostly pretty 'respectful' of religion, no doubt partly because when it's not (cf Jerry Springer the Opera) its execs get death threats.
But they also showed (and made) Jonathan Miller's superb A Brief History of Disbelief, one of the best things I've seen on any TV channel in recent years (and, I have to say, markedly better than Dawkins' programme, which I thought was preaching to the converted a little too much for comfort).
Damn, I'm going to have to start kissing up to Dawkins more on my own blog and see if he sends me any cool presents. Or do I have to be a biologist first?
'fundamentalist Biblical literalist who just happens to not believe in God'
The reason is it IS the most consistent way to delve into the religion. If your going to make things up as you go along you might get around this fact but he simply goes to the root. And in that respect he is correct.
Speaking of atheists, here's an Italian one who's brought a lawsuit asking the defendant (now the village priest, but once a childhood schoolmate of the plaintiff/atheist) to defend the reality of Jesus's existence in an Italian court. The suit's been going on since 2002, and it hasn't been thrown out yet. http://www.comcast.net/news/international/index.jsp?cat=INTERNATIONAL&f….
(I drive and bicycle around various small towns and suburbs in the Northwest USA for my job, the megachurches are everywhere)
I saw Richard Dawkins speak and read for his last book release. His clear headed perceptions came out especially in the question and answer period. If you get a chance to see him on his next tour, don't miss it.
That's nice. I found out that Richard Dawkins answers email too. Nice and approachable is pretty much what you want from a "Professor in the Public Understanding of Science". He's not doing badly as an advert for geekdom either - by bagging Lalla Ward. ;-) Then again, she's displaying rather good taste too.
Anyhow, your scanning of the DVD as a picture reminds me a little of something that happened at one place where I worked...
Someone had asked the office bunny (ie female gofer with no apparent qualifications) to send copies of some floppy disks (yes, it was a long time ago that I worked!) out to a customer. They thought to explain to her that the master disks were kept in the fire-safe. What they didn't think to explain was that putting the masters in the photocopier and just sending off those images of the outside of the disks wasn't going to be acceptable.
I think the Dawkins show was great. I've spent many many years hanging around Christians and have learned to take their eccentricities in my stride. The dark side is that I've trained myself to not notice the bizarre nature of their faith. It was almost a spiritual experience to hear someone stand up and point out that a large portion of the human species is systematically training itself to believe crazy stuff in defiance of all reason. During the course of the show, I could actually feel the cognitive dissonance I'd set up over the years just melting away.
Mr Dawkins, you have my utmost respect. Good on yer :)
You are having some kind of codec problem. I can see the video using Winamp, and I am using the K-lite codec pack. (all free and googleable) (I cannot see the video portion using windows media player)
You need to see the video, it is so worth it to see the slow burn come on the evangelist's face when he starts to realize he is talking to an atheist freethinker who doesn't fall for his smooth talk.
Thanks, James. Windows MP didn't play it, but the Winamp download and whatever the hells "k-lite codec pack" is I just downloaded did the trick. Surely Jesus is rolling in his grave right now. No god bless you for your kind advice!
Hmmm, perhaps when I met him at a book signing in Denver last year I should have said that I run a website that is on PZ Myers' blogroll and would he please send me a copy of the DVD when he, in the future, decides to do the same for the aforementioned PZ Myers.
Or something.
Guess I'll go looking for the torrent linked above instead...
All the more reason for the universities* to get together and somehow acquire a satellite channel. Then they could broadcast things like this which are of educational or philosophical significance but which the US networks wouldn't dare to touch.
* Universities seemed like the obvious organisations to me who might be prepared to create and show such material. Though I had originally been thinking more in terms of how to get high quality science programmes made and shown, eg ones which aren't afraid to use the e-word. I haven't heard of the US even having anything similar to the UK's Open University.
Someone had asked the office bunny (ie female gofer with no apparent qualifications) to send copies of some floppy disks (yes, it was a long time ago that I worked!) out to a customer. They thought to explain to her that the master disks were kept in the fire-safe. What they didn't think to explain was that putting the masters in the photocopier and just sending off those images of the outside of the disks wasn't going to be acceptable.
That sounds like an anecdote from one of the Dilbert books. A fax machine ran out of paper so a secretary ordered some more from the stationery department. When told that it would take a day or so to deliver it, she asked them if they could fax over a few sheets to keep her going in the meantime.
I stayed up late last night to make sure the video recorder was at least attempting to record them. Some time I'll have to see if I can now catch up on the bits I missed the first time round. Eg missed because people will insist on phoning me during the few TV programmes I'm trying to watch - and then, in this case, complaining that they would have watched it themselves had they known. Hmph! If the tape has worked at all, I'd better save it for any other UK acquaintances who complain that they missed it ... again ...
channel 4's sister cable station had a program on right afterwards about how the "enlightenment" was the beginning of the end of morality and values. it was on too late tho, i couldn't stay up and watch
Yes, as I've said before/elsewhere, it was a little disappointing in that there were bits that could easily have been done better. It doesn't look like this is the place for detailed critique. However, starting to watch the re-run had me wanting to say "yes, but" at it in the same places again.
So, PZ, have you watched it yet or are you still just gloating over the presentation of it? :-D
Sweet!
Hmmmm, does Dawkins lurk here?
Yeah, baby.
Can I borrow it when you're done? I've an autographed copy of Unweaving the Rainbow I can put up for collateral.
PZ, please excuse all the evil thoughts I am currently sending your way, as I am fantastically envious of you right now.
That is so nice of him.
It would probably be inappropriate to call this a late christmas present.
Volvox
I want one.
I think it's time we kicked those musicians out of the 331 Club and had a movie night!
Ah, the perks of celebrity and power. What's next; Grand Marshall of the Morris Syttende Mai parade?
Maybe you can get Dawkins to do some guest blogging next time you take a break.
That's the problem with being a pseudonomynous lurker; nobody knows where to send all those presents they'd like to give me.
Clarification: Did Dawkins send this to you, or did some third party obtain a copy and do the sending?
Hey Richard, you're free to send a DVD my way too if you want! (PZ you're one lucky bastard...)
Bouffant, I assume that Dawkins did the sending, as it's personalized to PZ.
The green-eyed monster is strong in me.
Do we know if the show will be either broadcast here in the USA or if it will be available on DVD any time soon (thank Netflix!)
Yes, Dawkins lurks here -- I don't think that often, but you never know when he might read your comment about him. He sent it after reading that I envy the British for being able to see his latest program.
You lucky stiff!
I just turned deep green. Here's hoping that Netflix picks it up, because it certainly won't be shown on American tv.
<_<
>_>
Hi, Mr. Dawkins.
I watched it the other day. Pretty damn good.
Hello... BitTorrent anyone?
LUCKY DOG!
PZ, please give us a review........
If I pray to Dawkins will the Dawkins fairy or Dawkins Claus leave something special for me?
And, does anyone know if this vidio can be purchased somewhere?????
I would really, really like to see that dvd.
I mean really would like to see it.:-(
That is too damn cool!
My experience at book signings is that they will write almost whatever the buyer requests. I have discovered the limits of this by requesting the wording "to my sole heir,". Hasn't worked yet.
Sadly, I looked at Channel 4, and these don't seem to be for sale. At least not yet.
Oh well - I can wait.
How about copies for all, hmm? I need to see the "Virus of Faith" one.
Wow. You are a fortunate man.
Professor Dawkins, if you are reading this, you could make a quick fistful of dollars by selling us Yanks some copies of that DVD.
Think about it.
That's an amazing coincidence. I just this morning received a copy of the "stone angel" episode of the Simpsons, with the following inscription:
"Chris; love your comments at Pharyngula. Just had to pop in from The Mother Of All Non-Overlapping Magisteria to send my kudos. Best Regards, Steve G."
I got to hold it this morning; neener, neener.
Wow PZ, *that* is truly an awesome gift. I guess this means that the series is only two total parts? Here's to hoping this great series does fantastically well on British TV. Such goodness will never be shown over here in Jesusland, USA.
[quote]Professor Dawkins, if you are reading this, you could make a quick fistful of dollars by selling us Yanks some copies of that DVD.[/quote]
I don't know.. what would be more important to him, making fistfulls of money or getting people to talk about the situation? Hmm?
To BBC Channel 4, Richard Dawkins, or whomever has the authority to make this happen:
I am American. I have money. I want this show. Look, here is money. Give me the show. It's so simple and makes everybody happy. Thanks in advance,
Matt Arnold, Oak Park, Michigan
I don't expect to see "The root of all evil?" on TV here in Poland either, but the programe (both episodes) is available through various P2P software (like Emule and Bit-torrent). They come in excellent quality.
To BBC Channel 4, Richard Dawkins, or whomever has the authority to make this happen:
I am American. I have money. I want this show. Look, here is money. Give me the show. It's so simple and makes everybody happy. Thanks in advance,
Matt Arnold, Oak Park, Michigan
Ditto. I'm so jealous of PZ. I've been quoting Dawkins regularly and would love to see the shows.
Any chance they would put it on BBCA?
WOW! You lucky dog! I am so envious!
Is this the atheistic equivalent of Moses being told to take the tablets once a day?
Here's the URL for the torrent for part 2: http://www.mininova.org/tor/201337
He's sending me one too! It hasn't arrived yet, but he emailed me about it Monday. Made my day. My week.
Wow! You have to go into production (in a completely legal way, of course)! Put me on the mailing list.
Here's the URL for the torrent for part 1: http://www.mininova.org/tor/195488
And as one of the comments goes - Ignore the 0 seeds. There are actually heaps of seeds, so download and fire away.
It's about 800 MB big.
That is awesome. Celebrity mail!
But my reaction to the programs wasn't all that positive. His arrogance put me off, even though I'm also an atheist. (I'm not an anti-theist. That might be it.) Most surprisingly, he appears to be a fundamentalist Biblical literalist who just happens to not believe in God. It was very strange to see him repeat their method of thinking about the Bible and interpreting it.
I almost forgot: I'd love to see your take on it.
P.S. No chance anyone will put it on BBCA, by the way, because it's not on the BBC at all, it's on Channel 4. The BBC is itself mostly pretty 'respectful' of religion, no doubt partly because when it's not (cf Jerry Springer the Opera) its execs get death threats.
Hmmm. Guess that means I'll have to watch out for the occasional gene-selectionism badmouthing. Shame, that.
The BBC is itself mostly pretty 'respectful' of religion, no doubt partly because when it's not (cf Jerry Springer the Opera) its execs get death threats.
But they also showed (and made) Jonathan Miller's superb A Brief History of Disbelief, one of the best things I've seen on any TV channel in recent years (and, I have to say, markedly better than Dawkins' programme, which I thought was preaching to the converted a little too much for comfort).
I'm with Matt Arnold and Jim H. Put in a good word with your new pal Richard to make copies of the program available for us underprivileged Yanks.
Damn, I'm going to have to start kissing up to Dawkins more on my own blog and see if he sends me any cool presents. Or do I have to be a biologist first?
'fundamentalist Biblical literalist who just happens to not believe in God'
The reason is it IS the most consistent way to delve into the religion. If your going to make things up as you go along you might get around this fact but he simply goes to the root. And in that respect he is correct.
Oh man. That's cold. You got that, and you just scanned it and put it on to make us envious.
Well it worked. Hope you're proud of yourself.
Speaking of atheists, here's an Italian one who's brought a lawsuit asking the defendant (now the village priest, but once a childhood schoolmate of the plaintiff/atheist) to defend the reality of Jesus's existence in an Italian court. The suit's been going on since 2002, and it hasn't been thrown out yet.
http://www.comcast.net/news/international/index.jsp?cat=INTERNATIONAL&f….
The torrent for episode two is available here.
http://greylodge.org/gpc/?p=339
(I drive and bicycle around various small towns and suburbs in the Northwest USA for my job, the megachurches are everywhere)
I saw Richard Dawkins speak and read for his last book release. His clear headed perceptions came out especially in the question and answer period. If you get a chance to see him on his next tour, don't miss it.
I would burn a copy and then frame the original and put it on my wall. Wow!
That's nice. I found out that Richard Dawkins answers email too. Nice and approachable is pretty much what you want from a "Professor in the Public Understanding of Science". He's not doing badly as an advert for geekdom either - by bagging Lalla Ward. ;-) Then again, she's displaying rather good taste too.
Anyhow, your scanning of the DVD as a picture reminds me a little of something that happened at one place where I worked...
Someone had asked the office bunny (ie female gofer with no apparent qualifications) to send copies of some floppy disks (yes, it was a long time ago that I worked!) out to a customer. They thought to explain to her that the master disks were kept in the fire-safe. What they didn't think to explain was that putting the masters in the photocopier and just sending off those images of the outside of the disks wasn't going to be acceptable.
You lucky [phrase deleted]
I think the Dawkins show was great. I've spent many many years hanging around Christians and have learned to take their eccentricities in my stride. The dark side is that I've trained myself to not notice the bizarre nature of their faith. It was almost a spiritual experience to hear someone stand up and point out that a large portion of the human species is systematically training itself to believe crazy stuff in defiance of all reason. During the course of the show, I could actually feel the cognitive dissonance I'd set up over the years just melting away.
Mr Dawkins, you have my utmost respect. Good on yer :)
Thanks to the commenters w/ the BitTorrent links. I've downloaded both, but all I've got is audio, no video. Suggestions?
Wow, It looks like the FSM muct come with pesto sauce because I'm greeen with envy!
Jamie:
You are having some kind of codec problem. I can see the video using Winamp, and I am using the K-lite codec pack. (all free and googleable) (I cannot see the video portion using windows media player)
You need to see the video, it is so worth it to see the slow burn come on the evangelist's face when he starts to realize he is talking to an atheist freethinker who doesn't fall for his smooth talk.
Thanks, James. Windows MP didn't play it, but the Winamp download and whatever the hells "k-lite codec pack" is I just downloaded did the trick. Surely Jesus is rolling in his grave right now. No god bless you for your kind advice!
How in the hell did he manage to spell your name like that?! That's not how it's spelled, is it?
Hmmm, perhaps when I met him at a book signing in Denver last year I should have said that I run a website that is on PZ Myers' blogroll and would he please send me a copy of the DVD when he, in the future, decides to do the same for the aforementioned PZ Myers.
Or something.
Guess I'll go looking for the torrent linked above instead...
All the more reason for the universities* to get together and somehow acquire a satellite channel. Then they could broadcast things like this which are of educational or philosophical significance but which the US networks wouldn't dare to touch.
* Universities seemed like the obvious organisations to me who might be prepared to create and show such material. Though I had originally been thinking more in terms of how to get high quality science programmes made and shown, eg ones which aren't afraid to use the e-word. I haven't heard of the US even having anything similar to the UK's Open University.
SEF wrote
That sounds like an anecdote from one of the Dilbert books. A fax machine ran out of paper so a secretary ordered some more from the stationery department. When told that it would take a day or so to deliver it, she asked them if they could fax over a few sheets to keep her going in the meantime.
For those of you in the UK who missed Dawkins' program, both parts are being repeated on Sunday morning between 2:50 and 4:50 AM (on Channel 4 ).
I stayed up late last night to make sure the video recorder was at least attempting to record them. Some time I'll have to see if I can now catch up on the bits I missed the first time round. Eg missed because people will insist on phoning me during the few TV programmes I'm trying to watch - and then, in this case, complaining that they would have watched it themselves had they known. Hmph! If the tape has worked at all, I'd better save it for any other UK acquaintances who complain that they missed it ... again ...
A theologian critiques Dawkins TV show:
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/cgi-bin/register.cgi/tablet-01133
fortunately, i'm in england for business, and i got to watch it. it was pretty good. i had a few small problems with it though
channel 4's sister cable station had a program on right afterwards about how the "enlightenment" was the beginning of the end of morality and values. it was on too late tho, i couldn't stay up and watch
Yes, as I've said before/elsewhere, it was a little disappointing in that there were bits that could easily have been done better. It doesn't look like this is the place for detailed critique. However, starting to watch the re-run had me wanting to say "yes, but" at it in the same places again.
So, PZ, have you watched it yet or are you still just gloating over the presentation of it? :-D
Thanks for the link to 'Brief History of Disbelief'. It also seems to be available on BitTorrent.
BBC should host their own Torrents... I would even subscribe to (as in pay money for) some of their quality stuff.