Ep3: Climbing Mount Improbable - Growing Up in the Universe - Richard Dawkins

[@DisrespectfulRob]

Seeing how good he was with the children, without the least bit of condescension, raises his stock even further in my opinion.

[@themangleberry8772]

Absolutely. This guy is the most charming man of all time.

[@l21n18]

Much better than most adults

[@DrZenith]

Richard Dawkins is a wonderful teacher. He never talks down to schoolkids but speaks to them as intelligent, reasoning beings: the best way to encourage learning. He brings complex ideas to life with vivid, concrete examples. If I'd had him as my science or biology teacher I'm sure I would have followed a scientific career. How I regret not doing so, since there's nothing more exciting than the world of science.

[@ImranKhanPTII1]

I'm amazed how everyone is talking about the quality of his lectures and that how amazing he's with children. No one noticed how handsome he's. It'd take 1000 of years on geological scale to evolve one Richard Dawkin. I'm truly thankful to the entire process of evolution for giving us this superbly amazing man.

[@martalupescu1226]

he is indeed a masterpiece of nature

[@fionagregory9147]

Dawkins*

[@Sandford2790]

I'm excited for my son to grow old enough to start comprehending his lectures! It's going to be tradition for our family to watch one or two of these a week during the holiday season. Thank you, Professor Dawkins and crew for these great videos people can still appreciate 2 decades later!

[@oscarlorde2145]

MuhaNNad I agree

[@zah936]

I am going to do the same.

[@adama5543]

These lectures were way ahead of their time, love Richard Dawkins. The voice of a British Lord is always the best way to explain science.

[@evaisthisiaeclaire6365]

Please don't make such statements.

[@B01]

​​@@evaisthisiaeclaire6365 I'll have you know, I read your comment in his voice. hope it annoyed you

[@Pranav-rp8wi]

why would people dislike an educational video of such a nice quality

[@1989Chrisc]

Why are creationists so afraid of this.. I just don't understand.. It is wonderful to learn about these things..

[@shubhanshusharma5099]

Because the imaginary friend who they thought they were living with and who took care of them will cease to exist.

[@elishaandrewraley3318]

They're afraid of death, and if they acknowledge that there is nothing supernatural to the world, they will have acknowledge the reality that they will die and completely cease to exist.

[@PenProd]

For one thing, it completely undermines a literal understanding of the Bible.

[@EdwardHowton]

Members of all cults are taught to fear knowledge and anyone with any authority (real or perceived) that disagrees with them. It's a common defense mechanism, the persecution complex. Creationists in particular know that anyone who gets an education is more likely to abandon their cult thinking, so they become anti-education and fearmonger about "atheist-run colleges and unviersities". Kevin Sorbo's character in that trashy movie was a result of that. As others have said, though, it's also that it undermines religious doctrines, moreso than any other field of science does. The Young-Earth variant of ignorance-worship dismisses all science out of hand, but uses the types of science it finds useful as much as it likes; circuits build computers, and computers let you lie to people very effectively for your cult, so circuits are fine, but atomic theory is how we know the age of the Earth, so radiometric dating is a lie, but atomic theory is at the core of both radiometric dating and electronics, so you see which one they object to. Geology shows there was never a worldwide flood, so some creationists say geology is wrong, but other less ignorant ones turn their doctrine into something less fantastical, like the entire flood being a metaphor or some other such nonsense. This causes conflict between different variants of the cultists, but it can still be reconciled sometimes. Biology, though? Biology utterly destroys the fairytale about a magic man magically poofing fully-formed species into existence from nothing. It "turns" humans into just another animal, which is precisely what we are. It removes the sense of being special and unique and Chosen(tm). It can't be reconciled with the fairytale at all; you can't say god made a human male out of clay and a human woman out of a rib _metaphorically._ There's no metaphorical sense it can be interpreted in, _at all,_ and unlike computers, biology isn't useful for ignorance-worshipers to spread their ignorance with. Biology is only useful to people who are intelligent; why do have certain illnesses, how do diseases behave and change, why are you at higher risk of cancer if your family had cancer, that sort of thing. All are utterly useless to the average person who can wave illness away as "God's Plan(tm)". And this is the worst part, for them: biology is elegant in its simplicity. Evolution is beautiful. It isn't complex at the basic level, and it all makes perfect sense, even before you get to the evidence in support. It's like dominos falling in a neat row. If any creationist were ever allowed to understand it properly, they would realize they've been lied to their entire lives. So you get the persecution complex. It's all a lie. They're out to get us. Everything They(tm) tell you is fake. Quick, if someone ever says the word 'evolution' at you, immediately stop listening so the DEMONS don't possess you and turn you into a _liberal!_ (Because, of course, conservatism is strongly associated, if not synonymous, with reality-denial). Attach key words like 'communists' and Stalin or other mustachioed fascists I won't name, and the fear and anger keeps your victims in the cult. Creationists are right to fear evolution, because their huge, complex machinery of ignorance can't stand up to the simple ramp of evolution. Not that they're right to be afraid, but they can't do otherwise since they're in a cult.

[@Blackadder75]

@@EdwardHowton great explanation, I am adding it to my collection of random internet gems ( random here meaning randomly stumbled upon)

[@Wildrover82]

i love this man. he cares that we understand who we are,and why we are. long live richard dawkins.

[@amiraboodi2075]

Richard Dawkins is another Charles Darwin. He is a hero. One of the best of all time. Thanks for sharing these remarkable videos and lectures with us. It's apparent that so much effort is done for preparing these treasures.

[@Raydensheraj]

Rather another Thomas Henry Huxley....you can't really compare Darwin with Dawkins...

[@davidatherton]

Seriously though, I remember when these lectures were one of the TV highlights of Christmas every year - among the best things the Beeb ever put out. I remember watching these when they were first on - lovely stuff

[@carolsnook4659]

@David , same here. ...

[@Ana_crusis]

you talk about them in the past tense. the Xmas lecturers are still going on every year. they never stopped

[@kamion53]

same here, brings back bright memories.

[@2007julioespinoza]

Richard Dawkins is a great master, He turns complicated facts to simple facts so everybody can understand them, I'm from Ecuador where almost everyone still believes in creationism, if we would only have a master like Richard Dawkins in Ecuador, Everything would be different here...

[@BlckSbthMan]

I don't look up to too many people, as people are only human, but I sincerely look up to Richard Dawkins in respect to his intellect and his raising of peoples' consiousness to our universe.

[@riteshajoodha4401]

I've added these lectures to my list of science videos to educate my students about the beauty of science.

[@seanarmstrong1156]

love that shirt.

[@Unkempt27]

Straight out of the packed though, you can see the creases from when it's been folded in the packaging!

[@afreenjamal4045]

@@Unkempt27 wow. Good observation!

[@ArranVid]

The 1990s, the good old days.

[@primus7776]

Great to see a much younger Dawkins! He relates so well to these children. A wonderful Man with a world-changing, humanitarian message in his later career.

[@arthurstreet2811]

I've watched episodes 1-3, and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Thank you for posting these.

[@Pullmanfan7]

Nature and evolution are incredibly exciting; I don't see anything better to do with one's time than to share these incredible concepts and feelings with children. I wish I had had my conscience raised when I was young about these things. Richard Dawkins is truly a hero

[@Needkey.]

These lectures are awesome. I wish I had kids already so I could watch it with them!

[@goodbyeisthenewhello]

I hope these children got a lot out of this. I'm so envious. My parents taught me to fear and hate science, and told my sister and me to disrupt class and tell the class my 8th grade teacher was lying whenever he mentioned "evolution"... I didn't do it. But my younger sister apparently did at first, until she was ordered to stop. I am so embarrassed. Now I'm in my 20s and am hungry for this knowledge. It's so beautiful to learn

[@essentialsofbiology1643]

Hooray - so happy for you! Welcome to reality! And spread the word.

[@DieMasterMonkey]

James Owl Never too late to Science!

[@michealhuff2299]

James Owl Be open with others on precipice of the discovery. Religious dogma is and has been the enemy of not just logic and reason but discovery itself. Once we cast off the chains of our parents brainwashing mechanisms we can evolve intellectually as a species

[@hannajung7512]

I hope that one day this bad habit of teaching children things that are prooven to be wrong is considered the childabuse that it is. For a brain full of lies about reality is equally harmfull like bruises from a beating and the broken trust from physical or mental abuse. It leaves the child severly crippled in one point of its potential. We must not do that to our children.

[@Dhsoanw71]

You see, how the Adam and Eve the knowledge "Apple" fits our faulty mind!

[@trickz2795]

You might say that bug was..."sticky".

[@sondertekken]

it has been a year but I just wanted to say that I appreciated this joke ^_^

[@richtofen4888]

It has been 5 days but I just wanted to say that I appreciate you appreciating this joke ^_^

[@Seeds-Of-The-Wayside]

Totally underrated comment lol

[@raccoonman4691]

Why would you say that

[@JLyck]

Your dad humor has reached unprecedented levels!

[@lowesonia8551]

been adoring you for years . Just found this 80 program for students that i wll show my grandchildren . Because its so beautifuly done and it is good for them to hear English spoken correctely. A rarity today

[@Ana_crusis]

what's an "80 program" ? Also almost all English people speak English correctly, you're labouring under the common error that a rather clipped RP pronunciation which Richard has, is the only 'correct' way to speak English. Far from it

[@piertinence]

@@Ana_crusis Understand a Darwinian evolutionary creation would also mean to be able to make sense of the ridiculous concept, that beautiful creatures would only be presenting an illusion of design. Funny that atheist Dawkins got applauses after presenting that nonsense in one of his lectures. The belief that life was invested with an evolutionary dynamism from its spontaneous appearance in a primordial soup caldron 4.3 billion years ago has nothing scientific, and has nothing to do with biology. I use to be a believer in a Darwinian evolutionary creation, until I realized it was just a silly scienc

[@Ana_crusis]

@@piertinence I can only imagine that the scientific world is a lot better off since somebody with your clearly appallingly low IQ has left it. If indeed you could ever be said to have been in it. I'm not going to argue the theory of evolution with you because it's a proven fact, which is why the scientific community fully accepted it as such a long time ago. If you don't want to, then that is entirely your problem, I couldn't care less . The world is full of ignorant, stupid morons like you. you are just one more. A tiny, insignificant drop in the huge morass of ignorance and darkness in the world. Luckily people like Professor Dawkins keep the light of Reason and Rationality shining bright. Nothing _you_ say in your attack on established facts in the scientific world is of the slightest importance. You are, quite literally, meaningless.

[@YukiOnna6350]

Warning ⚠️ because comment thread is long u might experience difficulties with various species of wild Religious Trolls they hide in comment threads

[@prestow]

One of the best Dawkins videos, a true treasure.

[@AshenElk]

48:37 That is one big-arse laser pointer.

[@sambrewer2306]

1991

[@robertogj]

It's beautiful the kinds of genius humanity has given us.

[@chansetwo]

I'm going to state the obvious and point out how brilliantly Dawkins explains seemingly complex concepts in a way even children can understand.

[@vagnersilva5465]

The analogy of the mountain is amazing! It even tells how some animais stop evolving some characteristics by reaching the top of some cliffs, because the goal of evolution is always going up. In this case, some things do not evolve because, in order to keep going up, this characteristic need to goes down first, but evolution doesn't allow this moviment, so it gets stuck.

[@mauriceachach3351]

Exactly. Somebody used that analogy to explain why humans can't evolve wings despite their obvious advantage. We'd have to come down our peak of Mount Improbable first.

[@markcromwell1975]

I've just stumbled across these Christmas lectures😍 totally riveting! I wish I had him as my science teacher.

[@mightyUFO]

This series should be showed to every school kid on the planet.

[@Yimi97]

@Cohagentron Glad to say I'm 16 and love listening to Richard Dawkins. It's such a shame that many others my age have no idea who Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens are. I'm sure as others write about Twilight and whatever other books are popular in English class, I'll write about The God Delusion and The Selfish Gene.

[@64jcl]

I have the onerous task of pressing buttons all day because of scientists - I am a computer programmer. :) - Great lecture series btw.

[@4L3XS4UR10]

I've read almost every book of this man but didn't know about this great show. And there you are professor, as wonderful as always.

[@kaaren56]

Hopefully no stick insects were harmed in the making of this video!!

[@Sheldon.Williams]

4:46 "6 times 6 times 6 probabilities" Illuminati confirmed XD But on a rather serious note: Great lecture! I wish I had a teacher like him..

[@TurtleMC1993]

Yeah dawkins worships satan! FACTS! Piers Morgan told me

[@johnrogan9420]

This man is a stone genius...his presentation is captivating!

[@sonus03]

Richard... do the Christmas lectures again! :) I was 9 when you did that one - it's high time you did another!

[@AbrahamsYTC]

I absolutely love this. I love how he goes by the steps of evolution reaching up to an eye and a wing, however I would love to know more about the evolution of camouflage. Not trying to imply a creator -as I am Atheist; but for the sake of knowledge and understanding I would love to see further info. So if anyone can refer me to some place with more insight then I would be much appreciative.

[@BeakWilder1]

He’s so great with these kids!

[@joecook5689]

He's the most intelligent person ever. You know, tied with other bright people in their fields of expertise. Because a sign of intelligence is the ability to teach something to a person that doesn't know anything about it yet.

[@bonnie43uk]

Steve Shives brought me here :-). I'm sure I watched this live when it was first broadcast in the early 1990's. Good to see it again. Dawkins has the ability to explain complex things to a young audience with great ease.

[@hacgarimman9660]

A truly noble and gentle individual.

[@Rubystars1000]

This is the best part of the lecture, very good insights into evolution

[@Kitbaloo24]

He is so young :) I wish I could have been there but I was -7yrs

[@princekrazie]

he was in his 50s

[@Rhoky]

This series is unbelievably amazing! I honestly wish that everyone today, and in the future, would watch this wounderful, education show. Richard Dawkins for God!

[@peacefulleo9477]

I wish I attended such a lectuer when I was their age, well better late than never

[@TheManglerPolishDeathMetal]

ive watched this several times ! and never bored :)

[@mariagriseldacorrohernande9018]

Beautiful beautiful beautiful ...

[@davebowles1957]

66 thumbs down = 66 science deniers. Wish I would have found these sooner. I'm 62 at this writing and learned a lot from these 5 lectures. Thank you Mr. Dawkins!

[@joshuacadavid871]

Damn, that stick insect wanted freedom. LOL

[@AcidGubba]

He explained it really well, perfect for kids, but I bet a lot of adults learned something new too.

[@Halflife2-y2m]

These get better and better as I get throught the series.

[@zah936]

Such a great man who has zero arrogance.

[@johnnymendoza4606]

I have always thought that evolution is some wild random coincidences. But Richard clearly pointed out that there is another way nature had done it. Thank you so much !!!

[@MetalicVestigial]

Religious people dismiss, slander, ridicule, and attempt to discredit his life's work. All while having no idea what any of the facts or theories really are.He's pretty fucking nice to them I'd say...

[@ChuckDownfield2727]

both sides are guilty of dismissing, slandering, ridiculing, and attempting to discredit each others positions.

[@adamoleoni2272]

N P The difference is that one has facts, the other...

[@erinaceoustay]

Except one side isn't interested in arguing with childish simplistic liars, they sometimes feel compelled to in order to encourage intellectual honesty and truth. Creationists have zero evidence or even a single argument that isn't an embarrassing joke, so they have nothing but insults, misrepresentations, and lying to children. Go ahead and continue the cycle of deception and insecurity, we'll just be here actually appreciating life and the universe instead of pretending we do like you guys

[@sixteeschyl]

Handsome devil. National treasure

[@yves_jotres]

How could creationist hate this, its such a sweet lessons by Richard

[@namelessnick9791]

richard was even hotter back then

[@Chardonbois]

Brilliant clarification on the principles of evolution.

[@2degucitas]

Those feathers on the owl are not only smooth and silky but very thickly layered around the eyes. I had the pleasure of petting and holding one.

[@nathanielpranger7370]

I would almost be compelled to move to the UK just so my children are raised speaking English and they can watch these lectures as they grow up.

[@McPrfctday]

That eagle is amazing when it flaps it's wings and disturbs the papers... it looks into it's handlers eyes and at the desk. At 39:50

[@pandorakiss6011]

nice shirt

[@Chris-xq5sv]

A fantastic scientist tends to be a fantastic teacher

[@akshatsharma7339]

How delightful

[@fullmatthew]

Another thing I noticed, apart from Dawkins' brilliance, is how silent and attentive the audience is. Most audiences today, at least in my country of the U.S.A., would not be so well-behaved and attentive.

[@bizzee1]

Brilliant video series!!! Good man, that Bryson!

[@WonderNerd24]

that gliding snake was badass

[@BarbikaPahor]

so it seems that lens has do develop together with an eye so some transparent material has to cover half eye before you get to pin hole right? i think that thing wasn't told so clear or else naughtylus could get perfect eye too and not be stuck

[@mrflibble101]

Richard Dawkins - So likeable, so knowledgable

[@MrRedwingfanfl]

The evolution to survive an environment in the primordial era. The senses developed over time.

[@lenn939]

The beginning of the intro/outro music reminds me of the Incredibles theme.

[@mattinoleggero2707]

Watching this is Lockdown and that person coughing in the background is making me nervous!

[@Ana_crusis]

really? why? do you think corona virus has gone backwards in time to infect someone in the lecture theatre in 1991 who will then, through some unknown means, infect you in the future through the internet ??? I'd go as far as to say, impossible. you needn't worry - but notice that 1991 is a palindromic year

[@gonzayare]

after two minutes I realize... is in spanish!!!!!!, thank you mr. dawkins!!!!, science bless you!!!!,

[@AnnaCatherineB]

Anyone know how old he was when they filmed? I know it was first aired in 1991 but I just can't believe he is 50 years old! He's such a babe

[@TheStallion3]

@robwgibbons Carl Sagan seems to be the role model for Scientists like Richard Dawkins and Neil Tyson for attracting an audience into developing an interest in science. Sadly, such a large portion of the United States population doesn't even believe in evolution that it's difficult to even go beyond that point when they can't even be convinced of such a fundamental fact of reality.

[@Bread_Noob]

I am so impressed that there are actually kids there.. 20 years ago!

[@gotank]

Ohh, this lecture reminds me of the book 'At Home in the Universe'. They go into great detail about fitness landscapes in that as well.

[@ReverseTranscriptase]

Beautiful. Beautiful.

[@MaximusArurealius]

"If I knew of any Evolutionary transitionals, fossil or living, I would certainly have included them in my book, 'Evolution' " -- Dr. Colin Patterson, evolutionist and senior Paleontologist at the British Museum of Natural History, which houses 60 million fossils

[@kevinstaples7393]

This popped up in my feed. Excellent

[@SanthoshCHRiS]

Thumbs up for Bryson!!

[@kaileydegeorge2028]

Dawkins is older than my dad here but looks half his age

[@ineffablemars]

Kailey DeGeorge those genes 🧬😩

[@jarrygarry5316]

Dawkins is like my Grandpa.But he looks young at 50 years old

[@idunnononame]

He's actually very nice to religious people, and even a bit gentle with their religious beliefs. I can't imagine what I would say if people said the things about my interests as they do about his. Imagine the mathematician confronted by people saying things like "Mathematics is just a theory" "I don't believe in mathematics" "Mathematics is stupid" "I don't believe there's enough evidence to conclude the existence of mathematics" "How dare you relate us to numbers", etc.

[@randymcsmash]

Great lectures, makes you wonder how creationists can continue to bury their heads in the sand. Also good to see Dawkins talk about his area of expertise instead of having to defend evolution and atheism. He should just put on one of these lectures at each debate and then go and do some more science while they watch.

[@Scoobz187]

I know, i am late to the party, but i still will try to give you a glimpse into the mind of the creationist. As Mr. Dawkins so wonderfully described, evolution is a continuous and gradual development. Start simple, reach complexity over time. Now a creationist might say: "Okay okay, we understand that some things cant be created from one second to the other, or in the first try. But first of all, we always consider that the mystical being works under the same set of rules we do, and secondly, whos to say the creator isnt in the possession of an workshop where he gradually improves his projects until they´re perfect?" See, now i took on some very easy to comprehend ideas about what could be going on in the mind of an creationist, and because you and i are not able to falsify/refute this claim, creationists always have that protective shield of "proof me wrong" they can hide behind, thus making it easier for them to believe in what they believe, and dismiss the facts we are able to actually confirm.

[@cassied9327]

Thanks for this playlist

[@Alkarin11]

no its his pure awesomeness that is blinding you.

[@VeganSemihCyprus33]

Richard, without the penguin tie and different colored socks almost couldn't recognize you! :D

[@fvckinfool101]

This is beautiful.

[@missinformation3449]

Awww, he's such a wonderful weirdo in this lecture. ^-^ Not phased in the least by the stick insect on his head: he just keeps right on going with the lecture. x'D

[@afreenjamal4045]

I'm in LOVE. Don't know whether it's with Evolution or with Dawkins.

[@dampcarpet2607]

Evolution taught by Dawkins

[@kip44shared]

I look up to this guy

[@ycuandoencuentres]

Richard Dawkins deserves a Nobel Prize. If not by science,- establishment and powered "science" full of stupidity an functionally moved by money and archaical thinking-, at least by his contribution for human understanding issues. I know and I am sure that his way of seeing human processes is correct. I will die free as I sleep in peace every night. This is my religion. ( from re-ligare, coming back to the oneness, not any more a dicotomy, schizofrenic thinking.......)

[@B0Boman]

I'm watching this while wearing headphones... anyone else notice the left and right sound tracks are slightly out of sync?

[@felixfryxell7529]

Ep4 is blocked in my country :(

[@pisicafairy4606]

Prof Brian Cox and young Prof Richard Dawkins are the most handsome scientists I know, so unfair to have both the brain and the looks!!

[@JimHisself]

I want all of that

[@KitCatStudio]

Since the 90’s the evolution of TV has gone backwards

[@VerzitileProductions]

Richard Dawkins is the man

[@XtremeGamer0990]

another illuminating lecture

[@josefigueredolopez]

Hello, good afternoon. I am writing to you as a father who wants his daughter to take to school a good work of evolution and we have thought about the video of the evolution of Richard's eye. The thing is that we have some doubts because we do not know if what he calls "single sheet of light sensitive cells" is a simple piece of paper or something else. And regarding the lens that is placed at the end of the eye, is it a piece of transparent PVC or is it something else? I thank you for your time and in case you have answered me, for the inconvenience. Best regards. Jose

[@ajwplanet]

13min two major points of critique on the simulations: -the input parameters are restrained by only using letters spaces and a definitive number of letters, that is the sentence, predisposing the building materials -resources- to be available. The extreme low odds of this to happen at this particular moment in time is not accounted for. -there is a distant target, the computer works with feedback mechanism while natural selection as such does not because the ultimate design is unknown.

[@erinaceoustay]

It's not a design, it's a natural process, and don't pretend you actually give a shit about science, reasonable arguments, or truth