1. Comment #350090 by sane1 on March 8, 2009 at 6:37 am

awesome. cant wait for the rest. real point is for any subject: bring evidence and we'll listen. bring stupidity, and you'll be dismissed and sent away.

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2. Comment #350094 by rod-the-farmer on March 8, 2009 at 7:00 am

Great. Looking for more segments.

EDIT....ok. THAT"S great. I just flagged my OWN comment as "offensive". Mouse acting up again.

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3. Comment #350101 by Filip on March 8, 2009 at 7:17 am

The most interesting should be Richard's discussion with the graduate students, I really really hope that will be posted.

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4. Comment #350103 by jon_bailey on March 8, 2009 at 7:21 am

Fantastic introduction .... can't wait to see the rest of the lecture and the Q&A segment.

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5. Comment #350104 by Unwin on March 8, 2009 at 7:53 am

Posted to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gnHeCgcMSw

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6. Comment #350106 by RationallyInclined on March 8, 2009 at 8:03 am

Man, I really have to cringe when reading that proclamation. How embarrassing.

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7. Comment #350114 by Linda on March 8, 2009 at 8:38 am

Dawkins' Road Show gets better with time. Richard you are the best showman when it comes to delivering the message to those who may have thought a bit about being religion free but do not feel comfortable with saying it out loud.

I loved hearing George Thorogood's Bad to the Bone riff added to the A/V presentation. I'm a fan of the Destroyers too.

All the best Richard & crew, LWS

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8. Comment #350115 by ninvirus on March 8, 2009 at 8:41 am

Great intro.. will there be more?.. or just a tease?

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9. Comment #350116 by WereGryphon on March 8, 2009 at 8:42 am

Ben Stein is...AN IGNORANT FOOL.

That made my day. Fantastic.

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10. Comment #350119 by Spin-oza on March 8, 2009 at 9:03 am

Richard is getting more campy as his notoriety increases! Very amusing indeed.

Of course, he has a rather large target to hit... which is easily done with both eyes shut... since they are fundamentalist faith-based buffoons opposing the Elegant Edifice of Evolution.

However, what should continue to give us pause, is these jesters for jesus continue to represent mainstream America and continue to hold considerable polictical power... as evidenced by the absurd resolution Dr. Dawkins lampooned.

It's as if the Enlightenment never occured. Obama is not much better as I have noted he is "god blessing" this or that at every conceivable opportunity... but at least he disposed of the goofy "gag rule" regarding holding family planning funds hostage if any organization even mentions abortion as an option.

IF Homo Sapiens is evolving... it's damn slow... especially in the AMerica's obese bible belt.

Cheers!

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11. Comment #350120 by Ohnhai on March 8, 2009 at 9:12 am

what a joy to see SExpelled again :) makes me laugh each time...

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12. Comment #350123 by Blarney on March 8, 2009 at 9:31 am

I am looking forward so much to the balance of the videos for this event.

The USA propaganda machine seems once again to be shaping mass opinion for yet more unaffordable and counter-productive foreign wars, particularly for and against those non-Christian semi-theocracies, Israel and Iran. It is frightening to know that, should they succeed, it will in large measure be due to the ease of manufacturing "public opinion" in minds deformed by decades of education systems which give scant attention to critical thought and too much deference to religious and patriotic fantasies.

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13. Comment #350125 by f252863 on March 8, 2009 at 9:42 am

Wow. Very slick media presentation there. Dawkins appears bemused by such unexpected and general approbation. Wonderful. Hope the rest is available here!

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14. Comment #350127 by Stafford Gordon on March 8, 2009 at 9:58 am

The only option is ridicule! Hitchens is an expert at it but Dawkins also has a very fine line in that department.

I'd say that although different they are equals.

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15. Comment #350129 by SilentMike on March 8, 2009 at 10:03 am

Cool.

When do we get the whole "Purpose of Purpose" lecture with slides?

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16. Comment #350130 by Dhamma on March 8, 2009 at 10:12 am

Will you release the full lecture on DVD?

Hope it won't take too long, though. To my knowledge the debate between Dawkins and Lennox last year still hasn't been released. I'm eager to watch both.

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17. Comment #350137 by JDuplant on March 8, 2009 at 10:44 am

I was also at the lecture in Oklahoma. Here's a video I took of an audience member's question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82XPgaocLvg

And a few pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roofsup/3336438901/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roofsup/3337273644/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roofsup/3336439707/

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18. Comment #350138 by jhm on March 8, 2009 at 10:51 am

I don't even play a lawyer on TV, but wouldn't this proposal be a bill of attainder?

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19. Comment #350141 by DiveMedic on March 8, 2009 at 11:05 am

Im dying to at least get the complete audio of the lecture.

While the proposal was profoundly entertaining on one hand, it is a rather frightening reminder that there are many people in positions of power in this country who would love to do great harm to scientific education and, in cases where scientific/medical research conflicts with their holy books, with science itself.

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20. Comment #350143 by MaxD on March 8, 2009 at 11:07 am

Now if Todd and his cohorts had just behaved like intelligent representatives they would have spared themselves this public thrashing. Silly silly people. Hopefully the enemies of reason will continue to blunder in such spectacular ways.

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21. Comment #350149 by Nails on March 8, 2009 at 11:32 am

for those who don't know:

1 Corinthians 1:10 (New International Version)

Divisions in the Church

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Great presentation Dr. Dawkins, I can't wait to see the rest of it.

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22. Comment #350159 by gusg on March 8, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Am I the only one who didn't like the video inserts in his introductory presentation?

Yes, they were funny, but, there was something about it I found sort of clunky..in an ill-fitting-suit sort of way.

I've watched some clips of Expelled and the technique of pointing at others and mocking them with carefully edited interviews is, for me, not something RD should engage in.

That's just my humble opinion and perhaps it's a case of "stooping to their level", if you know what I mean, but, the idea that people in position of power in America are trying to interfere with a scientific institution, telling it that it cannot teach science and that it cannot invite prominent and respected scientists is actually a very serious matter.

Particularly when the same guy who put forward the resolution is also on the board of the education comittee, which, I presume is responsible for allocating educational budgets for universities and schools in Oklahoma.

I stress again that is just my own humble opinion and I'm open to alternate opinions...and I too can't wait to hear the rest of the lecture.

edited: As an alternative, I would have suggested the following: RD volunteers to go in front of the oklahoma state leglislature as they debate the resolution and make a media event out of it.

That would have more gravitas (IMHO) and would allow the intelligent decline brigade to paint themselves even further into a corner.

Withot RD present at the hearing...it's RD on trial..but, if RD shows up and makes a speech/statement, it's Inteligent Design on trial and it might just catch the attention of more people.

Furthermore, the ID brigade won't be able to creatively edit video interviews to present their case.

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23. Comment #350175 by MrPickwick on March 8, 2009 at 1:36 pm

I dont know if you are the only one gusg but I do not agree with you. What is great about the new atheists approach, and of Dawkins in particular, is that he does not engage in old games; when he sees a spade he says it is a spade. Enough is enough. Quoting Dawkins quoting some very successful scientific editor: "Science is interesting and if you don't agree you can fuck of".

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24. Comment #350183 by jimcarson on March 8, 2009 at 2:28 pm

I agree with gusg somewhat. Using ridicule on your adversaries is effective only as long as it's entertaining. The joke stopped being funny 30 seconds into a 4? minute video. But I don't want to be too critical here--RD and company had, what? One day to put that together? Grading on that curve, I'd give in an A. Heh.

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25. Comment #350186 by simonchase on March 8, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Unless I'm mistaken (I frequently am) RD didn't make that video but found it on the web and it amused him. I think he should have made this clear as although I like the video it's not really in his league of excellence and perhaps devalues his brand (to use an unpleasant phrase)

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26. Comment #350187 by simonchase on March 8, 2009 at 2:41 pm

Yo Rod, I just flagged your comment as offensive too, just so you wouldn't feel bad.

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27. Comment #350188 by TIKI AL on March 8, 2009 at 2:41 pm

gusg @ 22: So do you think regarding Ben Stein, Richard should "turn the other cheek"?

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28. Comment #350189 by AnthonyWilbanks on March 8, 2009 at 2:44 pm

I saw Richard speak in Oklahoma and it was amazing. He never fails to bring superb scientific insight and provoke wonderful discussions.

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29. Comment #350197 by Mr DArcy on March 8, 2009 at 3:12 pm

The real theological problem posed here is whether Ben Stein was delivered by a stork, or by the pasta god with His Appendly Noodledges, PBUH. Being both a bird lover and spaghetti fan, I find I must come down on the side on the side of spiritual nourishment.

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30. Comment #350200 by MelM on March 8, 2009 at 3:21 pm

I'm wondering if there's any chance that Thomsen will do something against OU in retaliation. Sooner or later, the antievolution movement will try to influence the state universities. In fact, there was an attempt--which failed March 28, 2008--to sue the University of California:
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/acsi-stearns/courtdecisionsummary_033108.pdf

The suit claims that UC’s high school course
evaluation policies violate the free speech and religious freedom rights of some Christian
schools and students. The suit also challenged University position statements to the
effect that it would not approve courses that use certain textbooks as their primary text
because those books do not provide adequate instruction in academic content and skills.

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31. Comment #350203 by BicycleRepairMan on March 8, 2009 at 3:33 pm

I found it a bit strange that Dawkins didn't introduce the "Sexpelled" trailer with a bit of background. As it happens, I know about Expelled, and that this is a user-made parody found on the internet, but I imagine that some people in the audience might be confused and think that Dawkins was behind the video himself, which again would be bizarre because clips of him are being "abused" to make him say absurd things.

I found the presentation a bit awkward in that respect.

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32. Comment #350209 by Nyarlat on March 8, 2009 at 4:44 pm

RD is not an entertainer so his timing with this video is not perfect but that is ok for a scientist. And the reaction to him suggestes that most of them may have allready seen this Sexpelled on YouTube.

btw. I think he should ad something about the rejection of ID to his speech. In physics there is something like a law to ignore all people and their writings who claim to have found:
a) a perpetuum mobile (1st and 2nd thermodynamic law breaker)
b) disproof of einsteins theories (something is faster then light)
c) a parametrisation of quantumtheorie (hidden parameters)
Maybe there are some more i don´t know about.

So it´s totaly correct of him to not meet those IDiots and debate them. It´s better if Hitchens does it. ;)

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33. Comment #350211 by rod-the-farmer on March 8, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Re 30. Comment #350200 by MelM

Do you have any more info on that court case ? This sounds interesting, as the approach apparently taken by the University sounds very much like my own suggestion for just these sorts of xian schools, graduating students with only creationism as their science background.

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34. Comment #350213 by jdaudett on March 8, 2009 at 5:11 pm

That was a great rebuke of Mr. Thomsen. I hope it has an effect on his electability (gets him fired).

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35. Comment #350215 by gusg on March 8, 2009 at 5:27 pm

TIKI AL @27 re: turning the other cheek.

I see the irony in your suggestion, but, I don't think it's appropriate.

I think it's a serious matter that a politician who is on the state education comittee and probably in charge of state education budgets, can dictate what a university can teach and whom they may invite to speak to the students.

MelM @30: re: "is there a chance that Thomsen will do something against OU in retaliation?"

My sentiments exactly. That's what really worries me and why I don't think RD shold let it slide, so to speak.

It requires some form of a serious response imho and while the clips shown in the intro are funny, I don't think it "fits" with the gravitas of the situation.

That's all I'll say, because I have immense respect for RD and I don't want to come across as a nit-picking critic.

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36. Comment #350224 by archfarchnad on March 8, 2009 at 5:50 pm

Brilliant vid and one that shows RD in a very positive light which makes me glad. Anyone who insists Prof Dawkins is shrill and arrogant and humourless etc just needs to watch this to learn this is complete nonsense. Can't wait for the rest of the lecture. :)

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37. Comment #350225 by MelM on March 8, 2009 at 5:53 pm

33. Comment #350211 by rod-the-farmer,

The NCSE news report from March 31, 2008 about the decision:
http://ncseweb.org/news/interim-victory-in-california-creationism-case
At the end of the NCSE article, there's a segment about the textbooks at issue. I'm concerned about keeping the religious nonsense out of the public schools; but, what's going on in the Christian schools must be disgusting beyond belief. If there's a "watch" website for that, I don't know about it. I suppose it's something we should be aware of even though there's no legal grounds for doing anything about it.

But, Otero [the judge] noted, the textbooks at issue are unabashedly dogmatic; Biology for Christian Schools, for example, declares on its first page, "If [scientific] conclusions contradict the Word of God, the conclusions are wrong, no matter how many scientific facts may appear to back them," and "Christians must disregard [scientific hypotheses or theories] that contradict the Bible."

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38. Comment #350229 by sheepwshotguns on March 8, 2009 at 6:14 pm

i cant wait to see the rest of the lecture. the only other clip ive seen is this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf6ZF4iGiwY

its such a tease, and this video makes it ALL the more interesting.

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39. Comment #350237 by EvaGalai on March 8, 2009 at 6:59 pm

I am truly worried that one day Richard will be attacked by a fanatic religious person while speaking :((

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40. Comment #350243 by davidok on March 8, 2009 at 7:23 pm

I put together this from the OU lecture 4 different angles of the heckler http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kAi0yl0rxc

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41. Comment #350246 by dougie on March 8, 2009 at 7:32 pm

R.D. again oozing with his usual brilliance, want to see all the lecture......still excellent though

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42. Comment #350261 by root2squared on March 8, 2009 at 9:00 pm

I'm tired of all the nice polite "bending over backwards" atheists so I really loved this bit -

"Ben Stein is....AN IGNORANT FOOL!"

Go Prof. Dawkins. Finally, someone on the rational freethinking side who pulls no punches and calls a spade a spade.

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43. Comment #350262 by Jake Sigren on March 8, 2009 at 9:03 pm

Proof derived from this introduction:

Richard Dawkins = Baller

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44. Comment #350264 by tomtom on March 8, 2009 at 9:48 pm

I really enjoyed this one!

-Tom


http://sites.google.com/site/tfrhoden/Home

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45. Comment #350268 by Tulsa Jeff on March 8, 2009 at 10:35 pm

I can't tell you how thrilled I was to see and MEET Professor Dawkins in person when he visited the Univ. of Oklahoma. His presentation was superb and the Q&A session afterward was equally enjoyable. The venue was moved to a hall that would hold at least 3,000 due to the overwhelming response. He received a roaring standing ovation on his introduction and at the conclusion of his presentation. A very exceptional and enjoyable evening indeed.

As a life-long native of Oklahoma, it is painfully embarrassing that a member of our state legislature (who gets his paycheck from my tax dollars) has the unmitigated gall to "condemn" a visiting professor simply because his views are contradictory to his own. To further assume that Dawkins opinions disagree with the opinions of most Oklahomans and the OU Dept. of Zoology is somehow immoral and unethical borders on nothing less than sheer insanity. I appreciate and enjoy the humor in this situation, but also feel that to turn a blind eye to such venomous intolerance may invite more trouble in the long term.

Professor Dawkins is more than welcome to make a return visit to our state and in spite of being the most "red" state by some sources, Dawkins and other like-minded freethinkers will find many folks like me who will always welcome them with open arms.

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46. Comment #350271 by mordacious1 on March 8, 2009 at 11:36 pm

So, the wank protester exclaims that he has a Bachelor's in Biology and that Professor Dawkins is a fraud. What a pathetic little twerp.

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47. Comment #350275 by hayesky on March 9, 2009 at 12:54 am

lol, that was hilarious, bravo Richard.

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48. Comment #350276 by hayesky on March 9, 2009 at 12:59 am

The protester sounded like Mr. Garisson from South Park, or maybe Mr. Mackey from South Park, emmkkkaayy....

That guy has really no idea, someone should have pulled out there keys and dangled the shiny object in front of his eyes to end his personal defecation.

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49. Comment #350279 by pabilleter on March 9, 2009 at 1:24 am

I think Ben Stein used Thorogood's music in his film. I saw it opening/closing night in Wash DC with 3 friends and the two other people in the "audience."

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50. Comment #350280 by Southpaw on March 9, 2009 at 2:14 am

A slightly unrelated point here, but what are the chances of getting this type of thing in other video formats, ie compatible with portable devices such as MP4 players and PSPs? MP4s or DRM-free WMVs would be great.

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