1. Comment #400576 by NewEnglandBob on July 29, 2009 at 10:07 pm

Occasionally he would turn the camera on me, and I would ad lib a few words about whatever animals we were looking at.

Amazing. This was all ad lib? Astounding! My brain does NOT work that way (sigh).

Terrific words and wonderful video. Thanks Richard and Josh.

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2. Comment #400577 by j.mills on July 29, 2009 at 10:11 pm

Nice to see Richard getting a bit of sun for a change. :) Impressive to have got this together on the hop: well done, chaps! Look forward to more.

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3. Comment #400584 by Dow on July 29, 2009 at 10:30 pm

Amazing.. I wish I could go to the Galapagos. I should have taken that opportunity when I was invited, given by my high school biology teacher. Wonderful video. I absolutely love RDF TV.

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4. Comment #400587 by and7barton on July 29, 2009 at 10:32 pm

Oh NO ! - He's wearing that damned shirt again !
In my evolution discussions I often raise the subject of vestigial organs in the HUMAN body, like the third eyelid, the appendix, the coccyx. I suppose even the fingernails could be considered as vestigial. They certainly don't have a lot of practical use today as they can no longer be desccribed as claws.It's useful when I'm tussling with a xtian about organs being redundant, even in the human body - They usually challenge me with "WHAT organs ?" - Do you know - some of them don't even know we have the stump of a tail !

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5. Comment #400596 by mordacious1 on July 29, 2009 at 10:57 pm

Always nice to pop in and find one of these wonderful vignettes.

Josh got to go to the Galapagos? Lucky bastard (I mean that in a nice way)

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6. Comment #400602 by rod-the-farmer on July 29, 2009 at 11:01 pm

I wonder if we could help the debate along a bit, by no longer referring to it as "Darwins THEORY". I think it would be better described as his DISCOVERY of evolution. After all, it was around before Darwin came along. It also fits in better with all the other discoveries in science. Off hand, I can't think of many that were first described as a theory of something.

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7. Comment #400611 by islander87 on July 29, 2009 at 11:28 pm

Rod-
Agreed. Darwin's Law?

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8. Comment #400613 by j.mills on July 29, 2009 at 11:36 pm

The word 'theory' is nothing to be embarrassed about, rod-the-farmer. It's just unfortunate that its scientific use (paradigm; explanatory, predictive, structured and established framework of knowledge) is confused in the public mind with the colloquial usage (idea, hypothesis). Quantum physics, general relativity, plate tectonics, fluid dynamics, etc, are all theories, and none the worse for that.

If you want to split hairs in favour of the factiness of evolution, we can say that evolution is an observation about life on Earth, and that natural selection is the theoretical mechanism posited as its explanation. Thus you can 'discover' evolution and 'postulate' natural selection. In those terms, many others had discovered evolution before Darwin. A few had even postulated natural selection, incompletely or in specialised areas.

Still, in science, where language is critical, the word 'theory' is not about to be dumped for good PR. We just have to keep educating folks as to what the word means in context.

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9. Comment #400643 by gurkuda on July 30, 2009 at 12:58 am

So far, my favourite video. At the end of each one, I am left hungry for more info. Here's a few questions.

Do cormorants have any predators? Was the advantage of smaller wings purely a matter of economics or did agility play a role, too? (by helping them run away) Did speed in water become more advantageous compared to flight, driven by a major change in diet? Do my questions make any sense?:)

cheers.

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10. Comment #400650 by Alternative Carpark on July 30, 2009 at 1:24 am

It is indeed pathetic - that, in 2009, people still need to be convinced of something so self-evident.

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11. Comment #400659 by Crazycharlie on July 30, 2009 at 2:22 am

Wonderful! Keep em' coming Richard and Josh!

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12. Comment #400661 by The Smart Patrol on July 30, 2009 at 2:36 am

I loved the camera work and the music. Very professional looking. The only problem with this is that it ends!

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13. Comment #400685 by beebhack on July 30, 2009 at 5:46 am

We should certainly refer to Darwinian evolution as a theory, because that's what it is, even though that's often misunderstood. The challenge is to help people understand what the word 'theory' means in the special, technical sense. Creationists use public misapprehension as misconcieved ammunition but let's not dumb down and react to their agenda. Keep banging on.

Thank you for the vignettes.

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14. Comment #400686 by xman on July 30, 2009 at 5:47 am

Oh goody. Galapagos Vignettes now! *claps with glee*

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15. Comment #400690 by BlueCollar8theist on July 30, 2009 at 6:01 am

I could have watched and listened to this for hours! What beautiful filming, and great information by RD.

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16. Comment #400694 by Sarmatae1 on July 30, 2009 at 6:49 am

This is not my style at all usually to take such a cheap shot, but I find I cannot pass the opportunity.

"Vestigiality describes homologous characteristics of organisms which have seemingly lost all or most of their original function in a species through evolution."

Nobody has brought up the most popular example of vestigiality in humans...

The creationist brain.

*Rimshot- exits stage left.*

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17. Comment #400703 by SixxSixxSixx on July 30, 2009 at 8:15 am

Beautiful video. Giving David Attenborough a run for his money I'd say.

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18. Comment #400716 by Tyler Durden on July 30, 2009 at 9:32 am

"And now on BBC1, Richard Dawkins presents an hour-long program on the wonders of Darwinian evolution."

:)

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19. Comment #400736 by steveroot on July 30, 2009 at 11:16 am

3. Comment #400584 by Dow on July 29, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Amazing.. I wish I could go to the Galapagos. I should have taken that opportunity when I was invited, given by my high school biology teacher.

Not a catholic school, I hope!

[Ties running shoes, GetsTFO.] ;-)
Steve

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20. Comment #400752 by thereisnodog on July 30, 2009 at 12:17 pm

A great video...too short...Richard should have his own nature show

i have been lucky enough to visit the Galapagos 7 times in my life and hope to go again soon. It's my favorite place on earth. By far the best is the Galapagos penguin which are so much fun to watch. i was out there and missed Richard by a couple of days when he was filming there...i knew he was coming and wished i could have stayed to meet him.

more vids please...

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21. Comment #400768 by SaintStephen on July 30, 2009 at 1:26 pm

17. Comment #400703 by SixxSixxSixx on July 30, 2009 at 8:15 am

Beautiful video. Giving David Attenborough a run for his money I'd say.

Exactly what I was thinking... except Richard always takes these opportunities to deflate creationist balloons. It's a powerful thang Richard has going on here. It's a campaign of sorts, and a win-win for us cheering on the sidelines.

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22. Comment #400771 by thelmascroggs on July 30, 2009 at 1:31 pm

It was these little films that made me want to see more and maybe join in once in a while. What an interesting website!

Hi everyone!

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23. Comment #400779 by Delta 9 on July 30, 2009 at 1:42 pm

"Oh NO ! - He's wearing that damned shirt again !"

Hah! Gave me a good laugh. I don't notice it because my father dresses the same on occasion.

Great video(s).

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24. Comment #400807 by chameleonpete on July 30, 2009 at 2:51 pm

That's just cost me about £4000. I'm a qualified diver, and have longed to dive the Galapagos foir a few years...just so expensive a trip from the UK. One day!!!

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25. Comment #400847 by DoctorMelkor on July 30, 2009 at 4:06 pm

This clip also provides a potential inversion reply to the stupid creationist question "What use is half a wing?" In addition to pointing out how fallacious that idea is, as Richard has done often, you can then ask, "If 'god' doesn't make half-wings, then why does he/she/it/they leave the flightless cormorant and other similarly flightless birds with their 'half a wing'?"

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26. Comment #400884 by bluebird on July 30, 2009 at 4:51 pm

Go, go, Galapagos
Galapagos - Vignettes!!
In other words, I look forward to more :)

2009 is the 50th year for the Charles Darwin Foundation:
http://www.darwinfoundation.org/english/pages/index.php

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27. Comment #400900 by Gregg Townsend on July 30, 2009 at 5:16 pm

Josh,

I must say, I think your musical compositions for all of these vignettes are top notch; completely appropriate for the venue.

Keep them coming gentlemen!

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28. Comment #400905 by Consciousmess on July 30, 2009 at 5:28 pm

Fantastic stuff!!

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29. Comment #400916 by Ian in OH on July 30, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Another very good vignette, as they all have been.
Wish I could "ad lib" to that level about, well, anything.

Anyway, I did have a question. Is there such a thing as vestigial behavior or instinct along with vestigial organs? The ancestors of these birds had wings for flight but the ancestors of these birds also (needed to) air out their wings to dry them off for (later) flight. The behavior obviously remains despite the birds' flightlessness.

Anyway, my attempt at very amateur biology/ethology.

Thanks.

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30. Comment #400930 by huzonfurst on July 30, 2009 at 6:15 pm

This has to be the best video ever done by Josh. It's just beautiful, worthy to be included in the Planet Earth series if they ever update it. And in a mere two minutes Richard gets across another evolutionary concept with his brilliant eloquence!

I feel very privileged to be around at the same time as this guy, another Carl Sagan if there ever was one.

PS to DoctorMelkor (#25): The proper way to use all the possible pronouns to refer to a deity is s/heeee/it!

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31. Comment #400932 by supereben on July 30, 2009 at 6:21 pm

I agree with Gregg Townsend. The music is great. However, I thought it was too loud when Dawkins was talking. I thought it should have been used for intro and outro only, or perhaps mixed even lower during the talking.

Aside from that nit-picking I thought it was beautiful. Beautiful content beautifully presented.

Keep it up!

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32. Comment #400953 by evotruth on July 30, 2009 at 7:16 pm

This is the best video yet in my opinion and one of the best arguments against creationism.

Let us not forget the Penguin too!



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33. Comment #400970 by hadespussercats on July 30, 2009 at 8:40 pm

I'm enjoying the vignette series quite a bit. I like the informal tone-- it's friendly. Intimate, even.

I'm curious about whether the wing-flapping on the part of the flightless, smaller-winged birds serves any other useful purpose (i.e.-- like a mousetrap that makes a decent tie-clip, is wing-flapping good for other things?)

Lots of people brag about swimming with the dolphins-- I think it's pretty neat that RD brags about snorkeling with cormorants. Weirdo!

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34. Comment #400988 by j.mills on July 30, 2009 at 11:14 pm

It was only when watching the Beeb's South Pacific recently that I twigged how extraordinary it is that the Galapogos Islands are home to penguins! They're on the equator! A penguin could not be further from its typical habitat. Yet throw in a cold ocean current and all things are possible. Which just goes to show something or other.

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35. Comment #401001 by Jedi Knight on July 31, 2009 at 12:30 am

If I make a donation can it go to the new shirt fund ;)

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36. Comment #401023 by michaelbme on July 31, 2009 at 4:12 am

Awesome video!

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37. Comment #401098 by Shuggy on July 31, 2009 at 10:19 am

Here in New Zealand we have flightless birds with wings that make that cormorant look quite airworthy. You have to look hard to find a kiwi's wings, but it has them. The moa is gone, but we still have takahe, pukeko, weka (rails) and kakapo (a nocturnal ground-dwelling parrot - very endangered). I haven't studied them up close but I have the impression their wings fall between kiwi and cormorant.

I'm wondering why the cormorant hasn't adapted its wings to swimming while the penguins have. Give it time?

Vestigial behaviours? How about cats and dogs treading out a nest on the carpet before they lie down? But I'm sure many human behaviours are vestigial if we could track down their origins. Turning the teapot around three times?

What's the matter with the shirt? It isn't gaudy.

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38. Comment #401321 by j.mills on July 31, 2009 at 7:35 pm

Shuggy said:

What's the matter with the shirt? It isn't gaudy.

To us English, anything with more than one colour is gaudy. When we see parrots, we are embarrassed for them. :)

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39. Comment #401323 by SRWB on July 31, 2009 at 7:37 pm

If 'god' doesn't make half-wings, then why does he/she/it/they leave the flightless cormorant and other similarly flightless birds with their 'half a wing'?"

Vestigial organs! That God, what a prankster he is!

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40. Comment #401361 by Border Collie on July 31, 2009 at 9:39 pm

I wish that Richard could do a series on evolution for PBS (Nature) that would be shown here in the US. Maybe it could be done during the Obama admin. If I had a few million, I'd fund it.

Other Comments by Border Collie

41. Comment #401369 by HarlanEllisonFan on July 31, 2009 at 10:09 pm

Nice production Josh!

More, more, more...

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42. Comment #401375 by j.mills on July 31, 2009 at 10:36 pm

SecularStu, grow up. RD does not 'boast' of any such thing: the 'formidable intellect' line is on the cover blurb of his forthcoming book and as such will have been his publisher's decision. His mention of ad libbing these Galapogos vignettes is plainly to excuse any failings, not to proclaim his genius. If you have no criticisms of substance, do remember that saying nothing is an option.

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43. Comment #401380 by Peacebeuponme on July 31, 2009 at 10:51 pm

Yeah that Dawkings is so arrogant and bigheaded Just cos hes in a wheelchair and cant talk dont mean he can take it out on others and why does he hate god so much he must bleev in god otherwise why talk about it so much????

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44. Comment #401390 by ...mig on July 31, 2009 at 11:57 pm

About the vid (not some comments above)



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45. Comment #401411 by hadespussercats on August 1, 2009 at 2:29 am

You guys are going to have to stop dissing on that shirt-- I'm pretty sure it's the same one my husband has, that he's all proud of because it's made of bamboo and thus, ooh! sustainable!

which is supposed to mitigate the other arguable (some might say blinding) faults of the shirt's design...

I'm not sure the sustainable fabrics argument sways me as much as the sheer adorkable-ness of wearing a shirt that ugly just because you're on vacation...

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46. Comment #401461 by lotzjustin on August 1, 2009 at 1:42 pm

I am loving these RDF TV segments. Please, keep them coming.

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47. Comment #401502 by Peacebeuponme on August 1, 2009 at 5:35 pm

Yeah, he's such a conceited wanker.

Tell you what, SecularStu, let's me and you stop posting here in protest.

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48. Comment #401532 by markg on August 1, 2009 at 7:18 pm

It would be sort of fun to see Dawkins at the Creation Museum. I wonder if he would be more amused or shocked and horrified at the sheer idiocy of it all.

Of course, in reality he probably wouldn't waste his time. Much like debating IDers, it would tend to be seen as legitimizing them.

Also, please keep these video clips coming.

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49. Comment #401561 by dumbcountryhick on August 1, 2009 at 10:25 pm

Richard and Josh SHOULD sneak into the creationist museum, incognito if need be, with a camera and start ad libing stuff about how awfull it is. Then post that on youtube. That would be a riot! lol

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50. Comment #401563 by ...mig on August 1, 2009 at 10:35 pm

48. Comment #401501 by SecularStu

We KNOW old man Dawkins reads these comments. He knows the front page of his website boasts that he is "the most formidable intellect in public discourse". He CONSCIOUSLY chooses to leave it up. If he wanted he could get it taken down in ten minutes."

This means he doesn't give a shit to what you are saying. And that's another admirable thing about dawkins...

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