Richard Dawkins: The Importance of Doing Useless Things | Big Think

Richard Dawkins: The Importance of Doing Useless Things
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From poetry and ballet to mathematics and being clever, life is laden with frivolous pursuits that hold no bearing on our ability to survive. Yet, insists Richard Dawkins, if it weren’t for the development of these impractical activities, we wouldn’t be here.
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RICHARD DAWKINS:
Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and the former Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. He is the author of several of modern science's essential texts, including The Selfish Gene (1976) and The God Delusion (2006). Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Dawkins eventually graduated with a degree in zoology from Balliol College, Oxford, and then earned a masters degree and the doctorate from Oxford University. He has recently left his teaching duties to write and manage his foundation, The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, full-time.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Question: Why do humans engage in so many impractical activities?
Richard Dawkins: There are many things that humans do that have nothing to do with contributing to the survival of the individual, at least nothing obvious to do with it. So when we do mathematics and when we do poetry and when we do ballet dancing and all the things that make life worth living, it's very hard to make the case that this contributes to individual survival; it clearly doesn't. What you can make a case for is that the possession of the kind of brain that's capable of doing those things contributed to individual survival in our ancestral past. So it's not the mathematics itself; it's not that doing algebra helps anybody to survive. But having the kind of big brain that incidentally proves itself capable of doing algebra -- having that kind of big brain probably did improve our survival, whether because it literally made us better at -- I don't know -- catching prey or finding nuts or something of that sort. Or whether, in accordance with the sexual selection theory you just mentioned, it's attractive to the opposite sex.
Question: Can you elaborate on the theory of sexual selection?
Richard Dawkins: This is a theory of a man called Geoffrey Miller, who is a very interesting evolutionary psychologist. And he -- we do have a bit of a puzzle as to why the human brain did get so big, really rather suddenly; it's actually one of the more rapid pieces of evolution that we know. Over the last three million years or so the human brain has swelled up enormously. And there are various theories as to why this should be. Geoffrey Miller's theory is that, as you say, the mind is a kind of human peacock's tail, and "being clever is sexy" would be one way to put it. But it would manifest itself in the ability to -- I don't know -- remember epic poetry or something of that sort. I mean, there are all sorts of different ways in which, in particular cultures, it might manifest itself.
Recorded on: October 21, 2009

[@bigthink]

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[@matildegd9965]

"Being clever is sexy" - Richard Dawkins. I love it.

[@bandwagon22]

+Matilde Gomez Is he himself an impotent?

[@AntonFetzer]

From my experience, the dumb/easy girls and the retarded bullies where the first in my school to have sexual relationships and I have just finished my third year of physics studies at University, while still being a virgin. No girl was ever attraced to me for having a more fundamental understanding of the universe than my peers.

[@soerenheriksen]

There are more factors to account for

[@therussmeister]

Being smart and being clever are two different things.

[@Pguz24]

Ente Fetz Id like to think there are two major stages when getting involved with someone as a romantic partner, it's also what I think is the difference between short term and long term relationships. First half is all attraction. As much as we have fought it we're still have deep remnants of tribal societal instincts. Guys are attracted to girls that have strong fertile qualities like a coke bottle figure,clear glowing skin, happy disposition for example. Women to men with alpha male qualities, strong, muscular, hairy (debatable) insuring survival of her and her offspring as another example.This will never go away as it is hardwired in us as humans to procreate and survive. Second half is after those initial first attractions begin to wane. You have to realize the reality of who you're with and come to terms with it in current societal norm. Meaning once you get past the attraction and sex part you might not like what you get. It is in this second phase where brains become the sexy powerhouse unfortunately. Meaning most of the time (there are always exceptions) someone has to be physically attracted to you before they find the abstract part of you (personality, humor, intelligence,etc.) attractive.

[@HyenaHouseENT]

Big Think please pick a better thumbnail... Dawkins looks ghastly in the current one 👻💀

[@oogityboogity6644]

Looks the same in the vid

[@boo_]

I like it, I find it amusing

[@Gryffixchannel]

"...bellydancing, and all those things that make life worth living" - Richard Dawkins, 2011

[@FruScarpia]

BALLET dancing...

[@Aliandrin]

FruScarpia Yeah but picture Richard Dawkins belly dancing. Now that's one of those useless things that truly makes life worth living!

[@FruScarpia]

Hmm, I'd still go for him doing the Black Swan/White Swan... More appropriate for a biologist.

[@Aliandrin]

FruScarpia Well if you really want to go in-depth, I'll write an original ballet called The Selfish Canary/The Pushy Gene, which will be based in part of the fable of the grasshopper and the ant, except that all the canary (played by Dawkins of course) wants is to survive the winter herself. She's forced by social pressure to give away first her cozy home and all her seeds and eventually starves, and tragically dies in the snow. The score will be Tchaikovsky-esque and incorporate elements of Pathetique near the end, one of my favourite songs. Hmm... maybe using a big brain for stupid shit is just... well... stupid.

[@FruScarpia]

Aliandrin I'd probably give it a try (for reasons mentioned above) but honestly: a canary that is "forced" to give away seeds?.. A "tragic" death in the snow?.. This selfish canary-hopper is acting altruisticly, and we shouldn't project weepy, human sentiment upon it. Also, your primadonna would do better as the more no-nonsense-type carachter of the Ant. Tjajkovskij might have been great on emotions and self-pity, but the bleak reality of nature/universe calls for something colder, more precise yet down to earth... Stravinskij, I'd say. Or ideally: There Are No More Four Seasons by Kentros/Petersson - THAT would be some show!

[@GauravMishra-ko3mn]

I clicked on the link thinking Dawkins would vindicate me clicking selfies all day. Alas.

[@morgengabe1]

In this day and age, he technically did.

[@blackmagichour]

There's a difference between "living" and "survival".

[@sirfizz6518]

I love his implication that mathematics is one of the things that makes life with living. It's only on rare occasion that i personally do math for fun, but i really appreciate the passion some folks have for math. They tend to be brilliant folks!

[@Jeremyramone]

reminds me of the fantastic quote by Oscar wilde, "all art is useless"...we attach a value to the art we admire or take fancy to, it is the act of appreciating beauty or wonder that stimulates our minds to create more of the same or inspires us to be creative ourselves. thanks prof. dawkins, you are the best, cheers from san diego!

[@cameroncameron2826]

Wilde would have had the over rated - shilled - rather thick Dawkins his gonads for breakfast very quickly in intellectual terms. And he'd had let Dawkins know something like this : Its a shame that he played GOD so HE would decide who would be allowed by law who should THINK about christianity or not. His models enabled christians ( just THEY no other religion ) to be banned from acting like christians in public i.e they'd be arrested if they do & new atheism fanatics thought this was right. Was it ? - its right to target 1 religion with LAWS about what its ok to THINK ? Well - it spread just as it was always going to once Dawkins got his ideas into practice & this was the first time thought crime existed since the Witch Trials. Now the same models are SHUTTING DOWN EVERYONES FREE SPEECH.

[@henriqueyoh]

I thought he would talk about procrastination. This video was useless for me. This comment is useless. I am useless.

[@AntonFetzer]

I am procrastinating the science I have to do and therefore feel like the most useless peace of shit

[@lukerichardson2404]

Xendrius, even your useless practice of believing in demons provides comedy material for others.

[@Ziggerath]

lel

[@EthanJohn1986]

Shut up!! Stop making jokes to draw attention to yerself

[@crisramirezbeats9575]

Geezus, thank you for taking that loser down a notch.

[@TheManofFest]

Doing useless things that interest ourselves is actually a strong way to keep our minds fluid It is our drive to entertain ourselves or do interesting things that gives us our intelligence, and work out the true potential of such a large brain

[@MrTrap78]

I agree. Doing useless things is basically playing, and playing is important for development.

[@cameroncameron2826]

Maybe the useless thing of considering Dawkins a social justice warrior could be cancelled then. Its a shame that he played GOD so HE would decide who would be allowed by law who should THINK about christianity or not. His models enabled christians ( just THEY no other religion ) to be banned from acting like christians in public i.e they'd be arrested if they do & new atheism fanatics thought this was right. Was it ? - its right to target 1 religion with LAWS about what its ok to THINK ? Well - it spread just as it was always going to once Dawkins got his ideas into practice & this was the first time thought crime existed since the Witch Trials. Now the same models are SHUTTING DOWN EVERYONES FREE SPEECH.

[@danishpride1]

"Mathematics makes life worth living." Haven't heard that before.

[@maxwellsequation4887]

It is the only thing that makes life worth living, idiot

[@TheRussRave]

"The Importance of Doing Useless Things" A topic that Prof Dawkins ought to be an expert on!

[@jennygoodall5481]

Because he does not find evidence for the existence of your God? He is doing great work to help people become free from the God delusion. Hopefully, you will find your way into this healthier state, as well.

[@MeWecc]

Jenny Goodall conversely he does not find any evidence to deny the existence of god...

[@TheRussRave]

Jenny Goodall "Doing great work",.. well that's a matter of opinion,.. and as for yours, you are clearly deluded. Have a nice day!

[@randynielsen1413]

ahmed yagoub The burden of proof is on the religious to provide evidence for the existence of god. The atheist proposition is not that god doesn't exist, but that there is no reason to believe that he does. If an atheist says that they know that there is no god, then, and only then, would the burden of proof be on them to prove it.

[@randynielsen1413]

Russell Hall A religious person talking about delusion is silly. Honestly take the time to sit down and examine your beliefs, and if any of your beliefs have no basis other than faith, discard them. Stop believing in things just to comfort yourself, its an awful habit.

[@HallsteinI]

If I could, I'd give about 1 or 2 years of my own life span to this man. A good soul he is.

[@cameroncameron2826]

Its a shame that he played GOD so HE would decide who would be allowed by law who should THINK about christianity or not. His models enabled christians ( just THEY no other religion ) to be banned from acting like christians in public i.e they'd be arrested if they do & new atheism fanatics thought this was right. Was it ? - its right to target 1 religion with LAWS about what its ok to THINK ? Well - it spread just as it was always going to once Dawkins got his ideas into practice & this was the first time thought crime existed since the Witch Trials. Now the same models are SHUTTING DOWN EVERYONES FREE SPEECH. Ohhh Dawkins is a genius blah blah blah blah blah blah blah MASSIVE INTELLECT blah blah blah blah

[@Karpify]

He said just the practice of algebra is not intrinsically useful, but our capability to reason with the world through math has been immensely useful.

[@cameroncameron2826]

Probably as he'd tend to use it to build models like this : Its a shame that he played GOD so HE would decide who would be allowed by law who should THINK about christianity or not. His models enabled christians ( just THEY no other religion ) to be banned from acting like christians in public i.e they'd be arrested if they do & new atheism fanatics thought this was right. Was it ? - its right to target 1 religion with LAWS about what its ok to THINK ? Well - it spread just as it was always going to once Dawkins got his ideas into practice & this was the first time thought crime existed since the Witch Trials. Now the same models are SHUTTING DOWN EVERYONES FREE SPEECH.

[@EmmaCherina]

I don't think looking at cat videos on the internet all day makes me any more attractive.. Better get some real hobbies

[@braveapollo5872]

EmmaCherina It probably means you should get a cat :)

[@one1-thunderbolt839]

It would make your brain really attractive to any cat owner :^)

[@Sixtehn]

Guys...really.

[@braveapollo5872]

Sixtehn What?

[@manwithtwowives]

EmmaCherina meh... seems to be working ok

[@smackronme]

Mind is a kind of Humans peacock's tail...

[@ArtomixCraft]

AGI Westworld :D

[@Adhil_parammel]

If you can't see others mind how it's a sexuel ornament.

[@Mike1Lawless]

@@Adhil_parammel You can't see into other people's minds but people can express or communicate what they think or nefariously express and communicate in a way they think you want to see.

[@managerialelitetoaster3456]

But it is the mathematics. Could the MRI have been created without calculus?

[@Paulelele]

I agree for the most part. I think a lot of people seem to have this unhealthy obsession with pragmatism. If something doesn't have a direct positive outcome, they don't bother with it. Fortunately, not every one thinks like that, because if they did, we would still be living in mud houses.

[@jessstuart7495]

American work culture is a lot like this. Boss: I'm not paying you to think! Get back to work!

[@MattRyan135790]

Good vid but I think doing things that make life worth living has a decent influence on one's survival.

[@Aldo182]

I would argue that the pursuit of practically all pastimes like these is intrinsically linked to our survival; Our major strength as a species is not so much our wonderful brains but our social ability, the pursuit of most pastimes bolsters a persons perception of their own value within their social circles while also expanding their social circles through common interests. This increase in a persons social competence is of huge benefit to their chances of procreation within the social framework that is society.

[@kraftuber]

Very well said!

[@mkjmkumarutube]

Thanks Richard! Your words/speeches are always meaningful to society as whole... But it is some people who can understand the depth....

[@alexanderleeart]

how does algebra not directly help with survival? and I would make the same argument for everything else he mentioned; for example art/entertainment allows people to take a break from the world and refocus on what's important in their lives, thus making them more productive and more likely to survive. Or is he simply arguing that the ability to do these specific things was not chosen by natural selection?

[@TheDominantSloth]

Yeah I think he means they're not chosen by natural selection. I think it is because natural selection is no longer relevant for human evolution, at least not as much as it used to be, because of medical science and society in general plenty of 'genetically inferior' people have offspring.

[@gendoruwo6322]

I think you can live just fine, even if you never personally never learn algebra. See? Algebra is not critical to your survival, isn't it?

[@j.w.2271]

And yet, my dad will never believe me that my video game collection is very important to my life and self.

[@NOVELTY098]

I agree and I also think that the entertaining behaviors we engage in have the purpose of providing fun and lowering cortisol levels which does help survival.

[@radu01]

I love this man

[@bex--]

Engaging in activities that don't aid us in surviving, purely for entertainment, is one of the things that separates us from other animals.

[@RuthwikRao]

+Hypocritical Paradox many animals engage themselves in entertainment that doesn't aid them in survival. Dolphins do, chimps do, some aquatic animals do.

[@bex--]

Ruthwik Rao if you didn't know people are debating weather or not dolphins should have the same rights as humans. im talking about birds or turtles

[@RuthwikRao]

Hypocritical Paradox yeaaah. But I did get your point, no worries. Also, people are debating over all kinds of ridiculous shit, yeah. Dolphins are still not humans, it's stupid to give them freedom of religion or freedom of speech. Next minute, you'll see a dolphin refuting richard dawkins on the stage with its arguments Lol

[@bex--]

lmao

[@Raphinater]

+Hypocritical Paradox a lot of animals engage in such acts. Your statement is false.

[@bakewithela8327]

You're one of my favorite people, Professor Dawkins.

[@kokomanation]

Most people do creative things because they feel well doing them they feel the accomplishment of discovery and invention and it is a combination of intelligence imagination and intuition that makes them do extraordinary things

[@TheCookiezPlz]

"Hey baby, what say you come back to my place so I can show you the exponential growth of my natural log?"

[@gerrypoupart7672]

Evolution does not work backwards with goals but forward with chance.

[@Shr0o0m]

Screw it I’ll make it a habit to watch this clip and remember it as often as I can, this is just an unbelievably motivational point of view on this case!

[@omaraljohani9298]

i train up my self academically on English spelling using those videos to help me out .

[@Dazzletoad]

I love Professor Dawkins. Great video, as all of his videos are.

[@cameroncameron2826]

But YOUR ability to SPEAK AND THINK isn't thanks to HIM : Its a shame that he played GOD so HE would decide who would be allowed by law who should THINK about christianity or not. His models enabled christians ( just THEY no other religion ) to be banned from acting like christians in public i.e they'd be arrested if they do & new atheism fanatics thought this was right. Was it ? - its right to target 1 religion with LAWS about what its ok to THINK ? Well - it spread just as it was always going to once Dawkins got his ideas into practice & this was the first time thought crime existed since the Witch Trials. Now the same models are SHUTTING DOWN EVERYONES FREE SPEECH.

[@Dazzletoad]

@@cameroncameron2826 I'm confused... Is your comment meant for me? If it is please make it clear what you are trying to say and we can have a discussion 👍🏻

[@cameroncameron2826]

@@Dazzletoad Hello Dazzle. It wasn't meant for you and i'm sorry that i feel the need to post matters i feel strongly about at random. Its nice to hear from you & my pleasure to experience your good nature thank you.

[@Dazzletoad]

@@cameroncameron2826 It's great to hear what you think, and always nice to engage in things you feel strongly about 👍🏻👍🏻

[@cameroncameron2826]

@@Dazzletoad You are a very honest curious and fair gentleman thank you for your interest.

[@reynahpets7868]

See! I keep trying to explain to my wife that my doing "useless things" *_IS_* important!

[@Lambda_Ovine]

+Rey Nahpets Tell her: "If I wasn't doing this 'useless things,' I wouldn't courted you." And then she might say something like, "You din't courted me, I courted you." And then you might start fighting and so on.

[@reynahpets7868]

To Athánatos HA!

[@jeanettecook1088]

Best wishes always to Prof. Dawkins, as he's done so much for the advancement of science...especially biology, and has written several fascinating books. Thank you, Prof. Dawkins! 👏👏👏💗

[@cameroncameron2826]

Another one that wants to thank him for being gagged by him as if a visit from Mathew hopkins is a reason to celebrate : Its a shame that he played GOD so HE would decide who would be allowed by law who should THINK about christianity or not. His models enabled christians ( just THEY no other religion ) to be banned from acting like christians in public i.e they'd be arrested if they do & new atheism fanatics thought this was right. Was it ? - its right to target 1 religion with LAWS about what its ok to THINK ? Well - it spread just as it was always going to once Dawkins got his ideas into practice & this was the first time thought crime existed since the Witch Trials. Now the same models are SHUTTING DOWN EVERYONES FREE SPEECH.

[@rokaspakulis5026]

perfect explanation!

[@dsalow2489]

OH! MRS. GARRISON!

[@112steinway]

I apologize, but I'm going to take this opportunity to be a massive troll. Ahem, so you would say that doing seemingly useless things is important Mr. Dawkins? Well, you seem to think belief in a higher power is pretty useless, could that be important as well?

[@braveapollo5872]

112steinway Actually YES. The belief in a deity may have been part of our evolution and survival (signed by an atheist)

[@Brandon75689]

He in ways, actually says that he was glad and enjoyed that religion was part of human history. but it was nothing but a failed science and a moral uplifting type of poetry. He has said that he views it as a great milestone of history and literature, but it should not be something that is a moral guide through life and over believing in things of the sort is something that should of died hundreds of years ago.

[@OMAR-vq3yb]

Imagine bumping into this guy at a party. "So how are you ensuring the survival of our species??"

[@terriblecrayon]

Thanks for the song title.

[@snyggmikael]

Well, I would make the simple case that, if doing math is making you happy, then you will more often then not acually have a higher chance of survival, or am I wrong? ^^

[@theMosen]

I studied mathes and believe me, no.

[@Michael-xv1gn]

I don't think you are mate, and that could apply to anything that wouldn't have a detrimental affect on your survival or well being.

[@SpaceCattttt]

What about if you enjoy binge drinking every day? How is dying happy a good way to survive?

[@HitomiAyumu]

Mikael Snygg Mathematician here. Yup, you are absolutely right. A happy brain is a productive brain.

[@zinqtable1092]

Unhappy dude that hates math;"who cares if I die? life is painful anyway" Happy dude that likes math; "I must survive long enough to write this proof!"

[@ibrahimalgarawi2099]

YEAH !! TAKE THAT, MOM !! I'M HELPING MY SPECIES SURVIVE BY JUST BEING ON THE INTERNET. I'M NOT WASTING MY TIME LIKE YOU SAY 1!!11

[@NudeBodyPainting]

Imagine you're sitting with a group of friends, watching a movie you've already seen, but they haven't. They start to get all upset as the hero takes his lumps, but not you, because you know how the movie's going to end. An omnipotent, all-knowing being knows how reality's movie is going to end. The bumps and bruises temporarily suffered be the heroes don't matter. What we consider suffering, he probably considers necessity. Why? Don't know, but perhaps someday I will.

[@quirkypurple]

I love the flattering thumbnail. Good choice. Many big think. Lots of smarts

[@SpaceCattttt]

My IQ is apparently 165, and there are no women to be found in close proximity to wherever I may find myself. I think it would be fair to say that there are other factors at play here...

[@SpaceCattttt]

deadbutmoving Perhaps perhaps perhaps. Perhaps you're just speculating without knowing me at all?

[@deadbutmoving]

teppolundgren Did it take your IQ of 165 to realize that? I did include a lot "maybe" in my response.

[@SpaceCattttt]

deadbutmoving You may have said "perhaps" a lot, but your entire comment came across as a giant insinuation. Correct me if I'm wrong. You also claimed that I assume that IQ is the "end all be all form of intelligence". WHEN did I say that??? In case your emotional IQ isn't able to process it, my original comment was actually meant to be tongue in cheek...

[@deadbutmoving]

teppolundgren Oh no. I have very little emotional intelligence. And my IQ is not 165 either. However, I find it sad that you still didn't understand my point. What's even worse is you couldn't come up with a better come back and had to copy my insinuation.

[@SpaceCattttt]

deadbutmoving You're a psycho, right? Well, you've come to the wrong place, my friend. I'm not interested in entertaining you.

[@jaybartgis5148]

Lol, then how come nerdy computer programmers aren't "sexy"

[@r13hd22]

Clearly you are not very smart if you don't know the difference between clever and smart. And who are you to say that all computer programmers are not sexy or that no one can find them sexy?

[@jaybartgis5148]

Richard Depaola jr "Clearly you are not very smart". Guess I don't get many women then? How come like... stupid drunk idiots pick up girls better than smart "nice guys"?

[@r13hd22]

Jay Bartgis Because stupid drunk guys are picking up stupid drunk girls. Logical fallacies... there have been no studies done about nice guys not getting girls, its a myth and that is all because some women like assholes and some like nice guys.

[@JeTaimeIsrael]

Jay Bartgis What enormous miscomprehension.. First off, that isn't SMART, that is just people who are trained to do something and according to the adjective you added; they are good at it and socially weak. Smart, according to his plain short answer to the sexual selection theory is more to do with the overall knowledge a person has; mathematics helps your thinking and makes you a lot sharper, poetry as he mentioned (and novels) for instance contribute to the social skills a person has.. I hope you can continue from here.

[@voxorox]

Jay Bartgis The answer is "They are". A computer expert can land a very lucrative job, which is something that many people consider attractive in a potential mate. Don't believe me? Ask Bill Gates. Programming itself changes very quickly as technology changes, so any person who can keep up with it could certainly be considered very clever, or at least very lucky. The flip side is that physical strength and prowess are still considered attractive traits as well, so they are frequently in conflict. They are not, however, mutually exclusive and there certainly isn't any kind of consensus on which is absolutely better, as you seem to be implying.

[@jim-bob87]

Such a valid point mind blown, back in prehistoric times when we had terrible education and short life spans, we'd need more raw intelligence than we need to day with our excellent schooling etc. So seemingly unnecessarily large brains would be selected for.

[@achillesbeast]

What is the music at the intro and at the end?

[@CESSKAR]

Useless things like religion?

[@Warren61]

Religion is useless

[@CESSKAR]

MegaCWproductions you should be religious then according to dawkins.

[@Warren61]

CESSKAR I am not but I defiantly think the world would be better without it, in my opinion it is useless.

[@CESSKAR]

MegaCWproductions Did you actually watch the video? Given that humans are product of evolution, and by implication, all our actions, there is nothing useful, philosophically. Only successful adaptations to ensure survival and reproduction; preservation of the dna. It happens that espirituality, and religion as the institutionalisation of this, is actually a evolutive tool as well. Edit: And in what ways the world would be better without religion, if I may ask?

[@Warren61]

CESSKAR many things like terrorist attacks would not happen, gay people would be able to marry right away and it wouldn't be a problem, people wouldn't tell children that they are going to hell if they do something wrong, religion is, as Dawkins put, the root of some evil.

[@PimpMyFahrrad]

"In accordance with sexual selection theory, it (more brainpower) makes you more attractive": Yeaaaah right!

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

Big Think did Dawkins dirty with that thumbnail

[@mangofreak567]

you so right man!!

[@manmanman784]

You're wrong here dawkins, algebra is extremely useful for survival, just look at all the applications, the internet, machines, economy etc, algebra was invented for its applications to survival!

[@Gilmaris]

People survived before the advent of the internet, machines, economy etc. as well. And all other animals do. Mathematics and such sciences serve to make our lives more _comfortable_. They have become _necessary_ only because we made them so, and cannot imagine getting by without them anymore. But this was not always the case.

[@deanban]

Algebra doesn't help you survive in African savannah. That's where we come from. He definitely meant survival in the purest term. If you were to be left alone in the middle of wilderness, it's your big brain that'll help you survive by finding solutions to problems that are more energy efficient, not algebra. It's the by-product of the same brain.

[@Zeruckiven]

Gilmaris You shouldn't lie. We all know that humans can't survive without the internet. Whenever the electricity goes out in a certain area, it's a proven fact that all humans in the area become nearly lifeless lumps on their couch/bed until it comes back up. :p

[@educatorman2007]

Perhaps one of the various reasons that the human brain swelled up so dramatically was so that it could house Richard's ego.

[@bunnykingIII]

good for you!

[@CommanderLVJ1]

Basically said there is survival and there is living; and while survival must come first if only because without survival there can be nothing else and thus everything depends upon it ultimately BOTH are important to not only surviving but also to the sustainment of said survival via the ability to adapt and improve our over all quality of life by not only doing what we need to do but also by being able to do what we want to do there by developing technology and progressing etc. thereby (again) improving our quality of life: meaning that BOTH are important for there cannot ultimately be one without the other and that we both can and need to be doing both. So yes math is very important for well just about everything some of the fundamentals being; resource management, construction, and even experimentation;).

[@pjdoeslife1440]

Dawkins is too obsessed with individual survival, rather than symbiotic relationships and horizontal gene transfer. Our love of art and everything else makes much more sense in the light of survival based on cooperation and relationships rather than this idea of bloody conflict and last man standing

[@robruitenberg4064]

Rather listen to a stale piece of bread :(

[@thiagomartins4992]

1:49 ♥ ♥ Totally agree!

[@GlobalWarmingSkeptic]

There are people who can block out that kind of pain. There are a lot more painful things than being caught on fire that people have subjected themselves to. But, I will admit that it would take the utmost willpower to not eract to it. But, it certainly is within anyone's control, if they allow themselves to remain in control of their own minds.

[@Michael-xv1gn]

Sometimes Dawkins can really be an asshole, and sometimes he can say things that make so much sense. And I hate to agree with him, because he is such a jerk, but sometimes I can't help but say "yes, spot on." For example, there is a video on the side panel things that is titled "Richard Dawkins: Somebody as intelligent as Jesus would have been an atheist." What an incredibly ignorant thing to say. I'm an atheist mind you, I don't believe that attacking people for their religious beliefs or belittling them is constructive in any way, and I certainly know of many religious people who are very intelligent. Still though, it's important for either Christians who are maybe put off by him for his attack on their intelligence as it were, or agnostic atheists like myself who are just put off by his tone, to not make this a good and evil/black and white thing. The man, like every man, can have good opinions and bad opinions. I don't think anyone has ever been 100% right about everything, so let's not let our feelings get in the way of learning from him if he, or indeed anyone, has a good or positive thing to say.

[@marcioguimaraens]

If you are really a atheist, you are the first that respect the Crhistian (and other beliefs). Thank You

[@shaneuk666]

marcioguimaraens Maybe if you are agnostic, then you might respect religious beliefs. If you are an atheist, then you might respect someone's right to religious belief, but not respect the religion itself.

[@Michael-xv1gn]

marcioguimaraens I really am. And I'm definitely not the first. I don't know whether angry atheists are a loud minority or a loud majority but they are loud, so it can seem that way. But I can assure that is not the case.

[@Michael-xv1gn]

Shane Lee I think you are confusing the terms "to respect" and "to agree with," Which is understandable, given the time you live in and the inability for many people of our generation to distinguish between these two. I can respect all kinds of beliefs. Makes no difference to me what you believe as long as you do not try and kill me or anyone else in the name of Allah or anything we are cool. And even then, it will be you I don't respect, and your right to kill me that I don't respect, and not your beliefs themselves, which might be interesting to me, but which ultimately say very little about what I am most concerned with in regards to my conduct towards you. Which ultimately is to say that when it comes to whether or not I respect you as a person, I'm much more concerned with your character than your religion.

[@Gunsong1]

Michael​ My hypothesis is that the assholes, on both sides, are just better for ratings and since those people are what we see, that is the picture we get and youtube certainly is not making things any better. But i get you. Sometimes i want to take Dawkins and lock him up in a room with Hovind and let them duke it out and make a tidy profit from all the bets :P this is no longer my oppinion of Dawkins. This comment is from when i first started to take interest in the religion debates

[@SidharthSatheesh]

what camera is this nokia 6230?

[@MrMane8]

i love consuming enormous quantities of information makes my brain feel good

[@kornsin]

I feel it is the thought that you are not internal so enjoy that which makes you feel like you are. I performed music in front of people for multiple years of my life, will it extend my existence? No. But I surely left "alive" during it.

[@gandewarahary7226]

The initial description in the video's first minute is absolutely correct, but the headline here is quite bewildering and has little to do with what he actually said. What he says is that there are natural reasons to why we do things that are seemingly unimportant.

[@Gufberg]

Watching videos of Dawkins like this i really like him. I suspect we agree on alot more than i thought initially. He is just so prolific on his 'militant atheism' and it really turns down my enthusiasm for his thinking (not that im especially religious)

[@ivanhoe792]

interesting stuff.

[@antonyarulprakash3435]

Nothing is clever or smart unless you enjoy what you want to enjoy!❤️

[@BIG_AL_ONE]

1. Though mostly true, the one reading is now writing without having done. . . 2. Empathy, imagination, and formed opinions cannot accuratly conclude the fact because there is the missing element(s) in the kill experience beyond the cosmetic descrition as a fan in the football stadium. 3. The statement is valid. Someone elses ability to deeply connect with your pain does absolutely nothing to remove your feet from the fire. 4. Look at your numbering before you correct my spelling. 5. 5=3

[@BlackhorseEdits]

exactly

[@panthamor]

being able to do mathematics and poetry does not directly enhance the chances of survival of the individual of the early homo sapiens, but having a brain that is capable of doing these things does improve it's chances, it's a byproduct. he IS sticking to his own field, it is you who are out of bounds.also, he does say explicitly that mathematics and such are things that 'make life worth living'. --->

[@GlobalWarmingSkeptic]

(cont) Humans naturally fight for survival. We do not naturally submit to pain unless we simply give up. Whether a child does this or not isn't your knowledge. I nearly died as a small child from drowning. When it was apparent I could not call for help because I could not swim at the time, I fought as best as I could to survive. I didn't consider myself suffering from my ordeal. Submission to pain is a voluntary response, and again, that's what constitutes suffering.

[@Dionysos37]

Well-said! And as I see TMcK left out, I see parallel treatment given to Elaine Morgan, who taught us evolution from the female pt of view and is in fact getting more recognition at last for her development of aquatic ape theory. Both have far more common sense and broader kinds of evidence than most of the establishment(s), but the last thing the PhDs want is important discoveries by "amateurs" in the fields for which they get paid. It makes trustees ask, "What were YOU doing, professor?"

[@GlobalWarmingSkeptic]

My point about adrenaline rushes is that you can block out pain just by being in an emotional state of mind. Your will will block out pain if your mind is willing to allow it. Pain is not a bad thing. Pain is a message from your body that something is wrong. Of course all pain should not be avoided. Whether or not that pain turns into suffering is up to the end receiver of the pain and how he or she reacts to it. Allowing pain to consume you is submission and is entirely your choice.

[@20vtmk1]

Makes sense. Certain aspects of attractiveness such as facial symmetry are statistically more likely to correspond with higher levels of intelligence.

[@PositiveBlackSoul]

“Don't pointless things have a place, too, in this far-from-perfect world? Remove everything pointless from an imperfect life, and it'd lose even its imperfection.” Murakami Haruki, Sputnik Sweatheart

[@Crazylalalalala]

no bro, what he said is that the brain that can do those things is whats really important not the things themselves. the ability to figure shit out is where its at.

[@TeamPill]

I've tried explaining this to people a thousand times.

[@konthewondercow811]

When we was talking about sexual selection he was talking about the time period when out brains expanded (still wild and whatnot). At that time being clever enough to keep yourself alive was incredibly valuable. Now, talking about sexual selection is a bit more complicated because there are multiply features someone would find valuable. Physical appearance, obedience, wealth, so on so on. There are many theories explaining current selection. Maybe he'll do a piece on those. :3

[@Dionysos37]

Well, Morgan's book is a terrific read, and there's a lot about her now on the net including talks/lectures. Primates walking upright in water to get food have been observed since Morgan developed the theory and it explains a great deal that the crumbling "savannah" theory does not.

[@craighorton8339]

Are you using a gel or pomade? You're the man. Thank you for your contribution to civilization.

[@360milliondollars]

Something that seem impractical to others may be significant. Doing those impractical things could actually influence another person's life. The choices that we make can also influence an outcome that could change the world; rather it is beneficial or deadly. People do it because they are searching for understanding and meaning. To stop those processes could cause technology to slow down or come to a halt.

[@Kamorok01]

details please

[@quantammechanic3489]

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding as to what he was trying to say in this video. If I had to sum it up, human beings lack many of the traits that allow other animals to specialize in certain harsh environments, and the kind of brains that could survive, as some have said, in spite of our relatively weak and unadaptive bodies, survived and lived on to propagate their genetic material. So some early humans might have died because of harsh colds, but those smart enough to make coats or light fires, did not. As a result of this, we have this great gift for adapting to many different kinds of environments and situations, and also, to engage in pursuits which might be considered outside of the realm of practical application. This is the gift of the mind, and we should utilize this great gift we have inherited, put our big brains to use, in whatever capacity we like, whatever makes us struggle to find answers to complex problems, to ask questions, to wonder at the beauty of the world and our place in it, whether that be mathematics, science, poetry, music, philosophy, sports, or anything along those lines, REGARDLESS of whatever practical application they may or may not have. I think that's what people are missing, he isn't saying these things can't be useful, just that their usefulness should not matter in our pursuit of them. We have this great gift of the mind, this ability to go beyond activities which can be considered practical or necessary for our survival, and we should use it.

[@GlobalWarmingSkeptic]

You can certainly gather suspicions based on actions and based on how you feel like you would react to a certain situation. I certainly don't think it's wrong to try to empathize. But, you cross the line when you jump from "If I were in that situation, that would be horrible." to "That is horrible for that person!" It completely takes away from free will to assume and take action based on assumptions like that. People have an expected standard of living. When that changes (cont)

[@puppetsock]

I'm a nuclear safety analyst. Really! Me doing algebra is a survival trait. And not just for me but for everybody down wind or down river.

[@MrBabalouser]

I just love this title

[@crisramirezbeats9575]

I wish to be just like this guy someday. Go Richard Dawkins.

[@SloppyLarry]

I like to think math has to do with how large human tribes got. Being a leader meant more than just hunting coordination. It meant dividing the food counting the seasons ECT.

[@mehja1]

Being smart is definitely attractive. I could never imagine being with a man that I consider stupid.

[@shaunsprogress]

Necessary reading on this topic: "The Mating Mind" by Geoffrey Miller.

[@sor3999]

The mind as the peacocks tail. Not just remembering epic poetry, it can manifest as financial success, performing a complicated dance, writing music, eloquence, humor or even smart enough to figure out how to get jacked. Unlike the peacocks tail, it is less easy to discern. More visible displays of a healthy mind get more attention. However, it would be up to a (smart) individual to realize that.

[@ANarcolepticWalrus]

"I've never seen a lobster eat a human for dinner. Checkmate." Thank you so much for making my day, that is probably the most hilarious argument I've ever read, made even better by the fact that you took my sarcasm seriously. (By the way, immortality =/= invincibility, you ought to look up the definitions)

[@raggledaggle721]

Labor, tool making, working collectively; one of the reasons our brains got bigger.

[@quantammechanic3489]

I think you have this exactly backwards, and that is due to a misunderstanding of the way evolution actually works.

[@itchykami]

So much dismissal towards mathematics; which is absolutely important for the physics and engineering we used even very early in our history.

[@TheDominantSloth]

Yes but it makes no difference in the natural selection of humans.

[@TheEccentricHippie]

Dawkins should become a voice actor for Disney witch movies

[@girlwhomustnotbenamed4139]

I wouldn't use the word "useless" since as he himself says it, these are the things that make life worth living. In reality, they are very useful, I'd even say indispensable elements of our human condition as we know and experience it today. However, I suppose what he meant was that we didn't hone these skills because they help us survive in the original, physical sense - ballet dancing is not a particular talent that would be needed to escape a predator for example.

[@GlobalWarmingSkeptic]

(cont) And, yes, you're right, but I am not using the correlation to imply causation. I have clearly laid out my logical argument as to why writing did not cause religion, but the other way around. The first scripts were methods of counting and record keeping. There was no creative writing at this time.

[@hypotheticrealist]

The point of what he was saying was that we didn't evolve to understand mathematics for the sake of survival, mathematics was just the outcome of a rapidly developing brain and free time to do random stuff in, and it just happened to help our survival.

[@hypotheticrealist]

Called it.