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Neil deGrasse Tyson and Richard Dawkins Discuss Science, Religion & Evolution

2024-06-18 Science & Technology
6.1m
105.0k
15.0k
StarTalk
StarTalk
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Description

Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with evolutionary biologist and author of The Genetic Book of the Dead, Richard Dawkins. Go to https://ground.news/startalk to stay fully informed on Space and Science news. Save 40% off through our link for unlimited access this month. Neil and Richard talk about evolution, whether we were “designed,” how we are living reflections of our ancestors and much much more. Why did it take so long to come up with the idea for natural selection? Learn about Darwin’s dangerous idea and the history of upending scientific assumptions. Is there such a thing as a perfect version of an animal? We also explore the role of information in biology and evolution. Will there be a day when we no longer need biology in order to pass on information? Neil gives his explanation for the chicken and the egg problem. We explore the origin of the word “meme”, evidence for god, and Carl Sagan’s poetic chapter headings. We also discuss the human inclination towards there being a “designer” and for complex biology to have been designed. Richard explains how you end up with something as complex as an eye through evolution. Neil and Richard talk about when Neil publicly rebuked one of Richard’s claims during a talk. We take a look at Richard’s new book The Genetic Book of the Dead and how we are living descriptions of the world in which our ancestors lived. Plus, we discuss whether it's worth it to try to convert people and the future of scientific acceptance. Thanks to our Patrons Jason Byttow, Keith Bale, Daniel Levin, Multimedia Kart, Renata, CESAR FRADIQUE, Ginger Towers, handzman, Lisa Kohler, and 21Pandas_ for supporting us this week. Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Top Comments (10)

@janechoy2073 2024-11-05

Pinky toes are useful because when the room is dark and you have no source of light, your toes will help you find your furnitures by jamming into the edges of them. Very critical usage.

3.6k 156 replies
@TerraStory225MYA 2024-06-20

I can listen to Dawkins talk about evolution all day. I used to be a young earth creationist, and it's largely Dawkins' ability to communicate the elegance of evolution that has led me to where I am now. I am about to graduate from university with a degree in geoscience and am currently looking into paleontology graduate programs. Thanks to people like Dawkins and Tyson I've taken the first steps into a much larger world.

3.4k 798 replies
@Lostmissionary 2024-08-29

Just thinking how lucky we are to be watching and listening to two articulate very intelligent people talking.

902 59 replies
@KermitOfWar 2024-06-19

The older I get, the more I appreciate these talks/podcasts. Neil is a great host/questionaire. You can tell he has alot of respect for Mr. Dawkins. 👍

583 14 replies
@RudeBiscuit 2024-10-25

Personally I think religion is why it took 19 centuries to figure this out

537 69 replies
@ticey4316 2025-03-01

As a Turkish, I would like to thank people like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Richard Dawkins who enlighten our path. They saved me from the nonsense of religion.

426 47 replies
@ajaahmadi8136 2025-05-06

Dear Professor Dawkins, I may never be fortunate enough for this message to reach you, but I feel compelled to write it nonetheless. You have fulfilled your duty to humanity by championing reason, science, and intellectual freedom. Though I was born into a religious family in Afghanistan, years of watching your interviews and discussions opened my mind. You helped me understand the difference between the path of science and the path of religion. Today, I see myself as an agnostic. The way of thinking I learned from you has shaped how I approach every aspect of my life, and I am truly grateful for that. Thank you for your courage, clarity, and commitment to truth. You have made a lasting impact on lives far beyond what you may imagine — including mine.

416 33 replies
@joshuaredmond-et9mf 2025-01-23

"If you are skilled in writing you can take others with you." So profound

155 7 replies
@markholland5810 2026-01-13

Beautiful poetic ending Neil….you are a hero among us….thank you

16
@timjefferson2137 2025-07-10

For decades, I've answered the chicken/egg question this way: Chickens only come from eggs; eggs come from lots of things. Your comments were extremely validating. Not that I had any doubts, it's just nice to hear people way smarter than me come up with virtually identical phrases.

8

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