Seth Andrews Interviews Richard Dawkins
On September 24th, Richard Dawkins' new book, "An Appetite For Wonder: the Making of a Scientist" released worldwide.
Four days later in Washington DC, Dawkins sat down for a one-hour conversation with Seth Andrews, host of the online community and radio show "The Thinking Atheist," to talk about a variety of subjects...including childhood, music, evolution, apologist "fleas," Christopher Hitchens and the memoir itself.
Thanks to The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science for making this interview possible. (www.richarddawkins.net)
Пікірлер: 563
Really refreshing to see an interviewer letting Richard complete answering questions, rather than butting in half way through.
@rimmersbryggeri
6 жыл бұрын
Seth is really good. Very nice voice to listen to also. Best thing might be how he is so quick to emphasise that he is not the expert but someone still learning. That is probably ther reason why he let Richard finish He was so eager to learn. I think it's also the best I have ever heard Dawkins since he wasnt being stressed.
i wanna give Richard and Seth a high five for being so awesome.
Richard is such a sweetheart, I don't see how anyone can dislike him :')
@JDdr86
2 жыл бұрын
Remember... Those people are completely, and utterly INSANE!
@vic.smittie.5668
2 жыл бұрын
A Brilliant Man! Seth is also great to listen to. Excellentt reasoning.
I love it when Richard Dawkins smiles, it makes me happy :)
This was a terrific interview. Great job, Seth.
Dawkins seems like such a nice, humble guy. It's a shame Christians portray him as arrogant.
@Somerandomegamer
4 жыл бұрын
Christianity poisons everything
@kathyheitchue2022
2 жыл бұрын
Às if some Chtidtians are not arrogant?
@jeanettecook1088
2 жыл бұрын
When they have no valid evidence with which to respond, they resort to name calling. Thus, anyone who questions the existence of anything supernatural, is called a fool by believers. Their beliefs are so fragile that they become reactionary at the drop of a hat (or a hint😂).
Dawkins is such a great example to us all, both in his intellectuality and honesty, as well as his bravery - his willingness to put himself out in the public representing a fairly unpopular, though hopefully growing, position. I love the guy. He would be a great one with whom to sit down to a dinner conversation. I hope he fully recovers from his recent stroke.
Oddly enough, Santa Clause is how I realized that the bible was just another fantasy. At 13 after I told my dad I was an atheist he asked me to read the bible. When I was done he asked me if I was ready to accept Jesus. I told him it's an interesting story, but it's fiction just like Santa Clause.
@andybeans5790
5 жыл бұрын
Theists don't realise that reading the Bible AFTER your "Bible Glasses" have slipped off is a really good way to push you further into disbelief.
@joebaxley1503
4 жыл бұрын
But the thing is, St. Nicholas aka Santa Claus was a real person. He was a monk who actually did make gifts and leave them for people in the village outside the monastery walls. So really Santa claus is more real than Jesus.
@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010
4 жыл бұрын
@@joebaxley1503 just like a jesus a mere man bolstered to a mythical state that was combined with so many other figures to create what we call them today
What a awesome interview. One of the best Ive ever seen
Humbling how smart some of these people are.
What a great, informative and warm interview. Thank you Seth and everyone else involved.
Such a cool, well spoken and intelligent guy! I hope he gets well soon so that we can hear more from him.
Excellent interview. It was great getting to see an interview that talked to the man himself rather than simply the man's works.
@Ken-sx6sl
6 жыл бұрын
Absolutely agree. I think this is a superb interview due equally to the parts played by both interviewer and interviewee.
Wonderful interview Seth! Watching Richard's animated response was very endearing.
It's always been strange to me that Dawkins is pitched as a mean person out to insult and berate people. The man is as gentle as they come. He's as biting and vitriolic as a jar of mayonnaise. But when you dismantles another's worldview, no matter how gently and politely, a narrative is invented about you to convince others that staying away from you is prudent. "Dawkins is mean-hearted and wretched" is a great excuse to not listen to the man. So sad.
@BenjiThomaz
6 жыл бұрын
Indeed. Truly, the only one of the four horsemen that could even seem that way would have been Christopher Hitchens, hence the Hitchslap, and he is dead. Dan Dennet is soft spoken, Sam Harris is always so calm and rarely raises his voice, speaking rhythm, or intonation, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali isn't too intimidating. The only one alive that could be considered confrontational and kinda a jerk would be Matt Dillahunty, and even he isn't necessarily. He just doesn't let BS carry on for too long, isn't afraid to cut someone short, and dishes back to people the respect they give him.
@MegaChickenfish
6 жыл бұрын
The more I've been exposed to the same sort of *people* Dawkins has been, some of the most horrible, conniving con artists in religion, the more I can see where that sort of cynicism comes from. It hurts to be attacked by people you're simply trying to convince have been mislead.
@magnuspeacock5857
5 жыл бұрын
Have you seen mayonnaise? It is *evil* . Did you know that mayonnaise is the 3 largest killer in Latvia ...is a fact I just made up?
@rebeccahale322
5 жыл бұрын
BenjiThomaz : Honesty sometimes can be brutal to ones ego..
Sensational interview! Don't know why it took me so long to come to it, but how lucky I am to have done so. You're the best sort of interviewer, Seth, one who asks succinct questions then let your guest talk uninterrupted. Glad you asked him a lot of personal and science questions! Bravo to you both.
what a wonderful interview, I have been listening to all of Seth Andrews past podcast and he said he had recorded this to video and I just had to watch this.
Finally got to listen to this. Job well done Seth!
The last part almost made me cry. I was already an atheist but I used to feel so alone, until Richard Dawkins arrived, and then I felt so empowered and I no longer felt fear of hell. Richard Dawkins changed the life of this tormented mexican.
Richard seems like such a cool guy
@LeyoSalsero73
10 жыл бұрын
Until he feels the heat of hell, he won't be "cool" no more
@spaveevo
9 жыл бұрын
Leyo Salsero that's right. only religion can make someone say that someone else needs to burn to death forever. im sure your so proud to say that about someone just for having a different opinion than you. What a sick person you are to think that about others. No atheist would say you are going to burn forever. that takes religion.
@LeyoSalsero73
9 жыл бұрын
They don't have to burn for ever, it's really easy to avoid hell my friend, this is nm to a matter of opinion, this is not a matter of philosophy, this is a matter of a true deity, the real God, the power of God to save, transform and heal! This n it a matter of what you think is right nor what you think is wrong it's a matter of what the word of God says! This is not about religion nor being religious! This is about Jesus dying on the cross! Believe and you will be saved and spared from eternal condemnation. ..
@Pomme843
9 жыл бұрын
Leyo Salsero The doctrine of Hell is one of the main reasons why Christianity is a mentally unhealthy religion. Realise that there is no evidence that the metaphysical tenets of Christianity are true, and that faith is without virtue or utility, and you have taken a big step toward freeing yourself from the Bronze Age shackles of your mind.
@toolcat973
9 жыл бұрын
Leyo Salsero any more dumbass
I wish I had the chance to speak with Dawkins. The guy is so smart
@BaalBuster
10 жыл бұрын
Yep. A brilliant mind. We disagree on very little (I found the term "Brights" rather horrid, and don't appreciate him using the term "Darwinist", but otherwise find him to be spot on)
@BaalBuster
10 жыл бұрын
I would hope so.
My goodness, that smile at 59:23! I love that!
@thunderridge4830
3 жыл бұрын
59:23
I just noticed that the cover art for 'The Selfish Gene" was painted by Desmond Morris, the author of "The Naked Ape" (1967) that described humans as fitting the spectrum of evolution with our similarities to existing apes! Desmond Morris worked for Nobel Prize winner Niko Tinbergen, Dawkins' mentor at Balliol College, Oxford. Morris & Dawkins are both PhD Zoologist/Ethologists ; ) My brother, who was studying in his under-graduate biology courses in '67, gave me a copy of the 'Naked Ape', and had already done a fine job of teaching me about evolution. That book really opened my eyes to the amazing elegance of genetics, and to it's expression in the startling similarities we share with our furry cousins. The first time I learned about evolution, it seemed perfectly plausible to me because I didn't have the yoke of supernatural belief blocking my mind; I'd already been an Atheist (skeptic) for a decade. It made perfect sense. For 50 years now, I've been fascinated with life sciences, and worked in that field along with biomedical sciences, though mostly as a mechanical engineer. I only became aware of Richard Dawkins about 7 years ago, but have been an admirer ever since! I really enjoyed the interview!
I've listened to the interview three times now--can't wait to take the time to watch this and absorb it all again! Both of these men changed my life for the better.
A truly delightful interview. Thank you.
That was a brilliant interview with Richard Dawkins, what a charming man he truly is. I could listen to him talking forever. Every word he speaks makes total sense to me, he makes me feel more in tune with the reality of our world and universe. I hope his Theist adversaries see this, and get off their high horses about him. Thank you Seth. :-)
What a fantastic interview! I loved every moment of it.
two of the nicest chaps you'd ever want to meet. i chose intellect over religious hope everytime.
3:00 I went to a religious funeral recently for a relative and it was downright disappointing. Her name was mentioned once, copy+pasted into the most generic sermon I had ever listened to (and being religious for 18 years I had heard quite a few). It wasn't an event about her at all. I finally had to excuse myself and hold my own "memorial" of reflecting over her life alone. It just didn't feel right otherwise.
The end made me cry. Richard Dawkins is so sweet there when you thank him for his part in your deconversion. ;)
I kind of hate the fact that this interview at: 5/19/2015 only has 48,414 views, while videos with eye-catching titles have hundred of thousands to the millions of views. This NEEDS attention TBH. People love arguments and violence rather than calm, peaceful, and collected interviews/discussions. It's a bit weird, but as observable through human history, I guess it's an evolutionary thing to lean towards the violence. Survival Instinct IMO. I mean look at fights: people swarm over the fighters and try to see the action. An argument in the room, people look and crowd those involved.
@roder51
8 жыл бұрын
+Ferroh The views will come in time.
I teach English as a Second Language, and I shall use this video to show my students perfect examples of British snd American English pronunciation. Andrews and Dawkins are a PLEASURE to listen to.
Probably one of the few times he's been interviewed by a sane person. :P A huge "fangirl" moment for me, and this is at least as interesting to me as the Four Horsemen discussion. The two people I would want to meet most in the world, are Richard and Seth. // 'nuff ass kissing.
Dawkins rules!
A wonderful and fascinating interview. Seth is a great interviewer... because he *listens and doesn't interrupt,* which is rare in today's media.
It's great to hear/watch someone interview a person they respect as greatly as Seth respects Richard Dawkins. This was fabulous. I usually have to roll away (I'm in a wheelchair lol) from long videos and come back basically breaking them down into smaller "chunks." I have sat here for the entire 62 minutes without rolling away one time.
Prof Dawkin's seems like such a charming fellow.
That was a pro interview Seth! Theistic detractors will accuse atheists of being cloying over yourself and Dawkins, but it was nice being able to see him relax a little into a safe and intelligent environment. As you have done for so many of us, I think you provided him a little oasis of rationality and understanding which he is not often afforded in the media. Love ya work!
27:41 "Her desire to believe is simply greater than her desire to know." Good quote Seth. I'll carry that one around with me.
What a wonderful interview, Seth!! I listened to every word. Much love and many thanks to you for doing this interview, asking thoughtful, respectful questions and sharing this video with all of us.
Amazing interview! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful conversation !
Fantastic. I've been listening and reading Richard for a year or so, Hitchens before that, and recently found Seth Andrews website, and this is just fantastic.
I could listen to many hours of conversation between Seth and Prof Dawkins....excellently done!
Superb interview. I was glued and enthralled right to the end. Also the editing was really well done. Many thanks Seth.
What an *excellent* interview that was. And it made me smile to see how relaxed and comfortable Seth made him feel throughout the interview.
29:43 "The oxygen of respectibility". This phrase beautifully describes what creationists are craving.
How wonderfully endearing Richard is. I adore his "Britishness" , his eloquence, his concise delivery without arbitrary fanfare; allowing the facts to speak for themselves without seeking the attention. He's a gift to the rest of humanity and to my mind, the opposite of the oft- accused arrogant.
A humble sweet man whose orations are second to none. 🤗
Great interview with insightful, thoughtful questions. I hung on every word. Thank you!
This truly was the best interview of Dawkins I have seen. The interviewer deserves a lot of credit for his preparedness and great questions and thoughtfulness.
That was an excellent interview. Was interested in every single question and was pleased with every single answer. Well done.
I enjoyed this video immensely. Found both of you to be fascinating! Richard Dawkins is my absolute favorite!
Excellent interview. Dawkins is an extraordinary man and represents the best of humanity, in my humble opinion.
The odd angle aside I want to express the joy I feel of you finally getting this opportunity. Every time you mentioned RD in your podcasts over the years I always hoped you'd some day get personal recognition from the atheist front men - Dawkins in particular - knowing you'd make the most of it, as you surely did. You're such a kind and down to earth guy, Seth. You if anyone deserved this sit down. I know it meant a lot to you and I'm truly happy for you.
Brilliant! Well done, Seth! I just got An Appetite for Wonder so this interview is the perfect prelude to reading Professor Dawkins' latest masterpiece!
When you thanked him at the end.. It put a small tear in my eye..
Two brilliant people in a brilliant interview, hope the world would bring more people like them in the future!
What a beautiful interview.. So honest and true. Thank you for sharing .
One of the best Dawkins interviews I've watched. Thank you.
Been looking forward to this ever since you announced it weeks back
Can’t believe I just found this video! Awesome!!
I've read several of Dawkins' books. Even believers can learn a lot about biology from this dedicated man to evolutionary biology. A true academic
I wanted to say the audio version has strengths that the visual version doesn't have while the visual version has strengths the audio version dose not... I think its wonderful you have both versions.. what a treat, Seth. what a treat..
When I was a kid I learned a lot about the greek myths, they are very useful as a general education because they are referenced everywhere in ways I can't begin to list. More importantly though, learning about these gods who were clearly believed in by an entire civilization before the supposed birth of christ made it much easier to discount christianity when I was eventually faced with it. I was thankfully not raised religious at all, if you have kids and aren't a believer please consider teaching or telling your kids myths, it might help them understand religions more easily.
@savenetneutralityanti-repu7029
5 жыл бұрын
You should look into Canaanite myths. You'll come to see how the Canaanites and early Hebrews were originally polytheists and henotheists long before monotheism became fashionable. It's a bit ironic in a way how Christians and Jews deny evolution and yet their Yahweh worshiping religion seems to have evolved over the centuries.
What a wonderful interview. Thank you very much!
This was one of the better interviews I've seen of Dawkins. Thank you! :)
Richard Dawkins is a delight to listen to. He is so erudite and refined. He also speaks so well and with gentle tones.
One of the best interviews of Richard I have seen yet. And to this very day, I still feel that the Selfish Gene and the Extended Phenotype were the two most influential books I have ever read. They gave me a depth of thinking about biology and ethology that is unparallelled in value. Sagan gave me deep reverence but Dawkins gave me depth of thought. Thank you Richard.
Great interview. Seth did a wonderful job getting Dawkins to interview in a calm, relaxed manner. Unlike so many other interview's I have seen with him.
Great interview. Thanks for doing this and putting it up.
Wow! Way to go Seth! Home run, buddy! GREAT interview, and congrats on getting Dawkins to come talk to you! If you doubt the fact that you are a hub of Free Thinking people across the globe, this should finally silence any doubts or reservations you had. And to many of unnamed masses, you have been just as instrumental to our mental health as Dawkins was to yours. 10/10
Oh it's nice that this interview now has video to it. And good video, at that.
Great interview. Much love and respect to you both.
Very well edited interview. It really seems like Seth is interviewing Dawkins himself. Bravo.
Great job, Seth! Amazing interview. Not having read Professor Dawkins' biography yet, I found out many things I had never before heard. I also found him to be far more comfortable and open with you than he has been with a lot of other interviewers in the past. Very well done, sir.
Seth, that was an awesome interview to say the least. Dawkins is my hero, and he did lead me to the truth. I admire others such as Hitchens, but Dawkins was the influence that changed my life forever.
Great interview Seth! Thanks for posting this
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Richard Dawkins has expanded my mind and it will never go back to where it was before.
My hero Richard dawkins long life and good health
A wonderful interview and I admire both men so very much.
Just wow! Thankyou to you and Prof. Dawkins.
I've studied Dawkins' books & papers since the mid'70's As a young biologist I was fascinated by his Selfish Gene. Since then, I've been sometimes irked, sometimes in awe, sometimes amazed that "I" didn't see the "obviousness" of what he discusses. My one serious disappointment was I couldn't attend dinner in the L.A. area with him. This man along with Asimov & Sagan has taught me more hard science than any class I've ever taken. He's a genius at taking complex & making it simple. Thanks Seth
That was great. Way better than the audio only podcast.
Seth, You absolutely rocked this interview. I've become such a huge fan.
Fantastic job Seth. You handled yourself so eloquently in the presence of such a giant. I particularly enjoyed your selection of questions. I felt you attempting to get a bit more into Dawkins' head, and this gave the interview in its own, unique feel. Thank you for doing this work; you've inspired me, and introduced me to many other great thinkers. Those of us who care more about truth than comfort are grateful for your efforts and sacrifices, and for your advice. Wish you all the best.
Seth, this is one of the best Dawkins interviews I've ever seen, and one of the best pieces you've ever produced. I'd dare to say this is damn good journalism. I don't always agree with your delivery or swagger, but this is spot on. Great job.
Very well done interview, nice range of topics. And Seth, you have a great radio presenter style voice.
I love how this interview wrapped up, great interview it was nice to see this rather than a debate and It was interesting to see Dawkin's thoughts on debating. Thanks Seth!
Seth, thank you for opening minds to much needed reason with this interview. I particularly liked the end when you reveal (to those who may not know) your deconversion.
Two charming kind men with brains conversing. One good at doing interviews and hosting and the other good at lecturing and answering. Fabulous!
That was a great interview. Cheers Seth :)
Oh wow. This must have been a dream come true. I remember you saying you met Dawkins in your reason rally piece, and I'm very glad to see you got an interview with him.
Great interview! Good job Seth, clever questions and I don't think anyone minds the gushing thanks at the end, in fact it made me tear up a bit 😊
I love this! I left religion at 40 and am catching up like crazy.
Very well done interview. I've wanted to meet Dawkins since i read Climbing Mount Improbable. Such an interesting character. I look forward to reading his other books.
Yes seth i was very very pleased with the interview. I only wish you two would have talked more about funerals etc. but thank you so much for the wonderful things you put on youtube for us to watch. Mr. Dawkins is like a role model to me i wish i could be like him, but with the area i live in and my close families lifestyle i cant really do much. He has inspired me to have a dream of becoming a science teacher to make young people in a very small community like the one i live in aware of science
This was such an adorable interview. Seth started off so nervous sounding but then it ended up going really well.
Great interview. Thanks.
Just lovely. Thanks Seth and thanks Dawkins
What a nice interview! I really enjoyed it, thanks