Customer Reviews

The Genius of Charles Darwin

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I purchased this title from Richard Dawkins' website some time ago and have enjoyed watching it many times. The Athena programs are great educational experiences, and some are dated. This particular series aired in 2008, and is an excellent addition to the Athena catalogue. The extensive supplements may not quite equal those seen on RDF's separately available unedited interviews 3-disc set, but I am sure will feature the best material.

Here's hoping that Athena will pick up other Dawkins series, such as "The Root Of All Evil," and "The Enemies Of Reason," although I suspect that they'd be considered too controversial. Still, they are widely available elsewhere.

This is an excellent BBC documentary by one of our best scholars on evolution. Richard Dawkins gives an excellent defense of Darwin and evolution. His interview with Wendy Wright shows the shallowness of the Intelligent Design proponents, who want to throw the best supported theory in science into the trash can because it conflicts with the views of ignorant prophets who wandered around in the desert thousands of years ago.
Dawkins is an atheist, which I believe is the correct position, but an atheist is in a difficult situation. It is often argued that atheists believe in nothing. I believe a good balance to this position is to argue with Joseph Campbell the value of religion as myth, not as revealed truth as the Intelligent Design people do. This is an improper use of religion. A study of comparative religions shows that they all have similar myths which give spiritual support to their believers. I don't feel this sense of awe in church, but I do feel it when I'm hiking in the mountains.
I'm sending a copy of Campbell's Mythos I DVD to my grandchildren along with this one. It shouldn't be Science Vs. Spirituality. We need both.

It's quite unfortunate that RD gave little or no reference to two other greats in this arena: Alfred Russel Wallace and, no less than the father of genetics, Gregor Mendel. It could be because the former was a co-competitor to Darwin while the latter just happened to be an Augustinian monk. Not that this lends credence to a "divine" creation, a very murky concept. It's seems a wonder of sorts that this "grand view" of life sprouted from a mind nurtured in a Judeo-Christian culture; didn't happen in an Islam, atheist, Hindu, or any other social setting. Darwin, Wallace and Mendel are the progenitors of this young discipline of evolution and genetics. One only needs to walk inside some of the hallways of leading biotech companies, or maybe academia, to see that labs and conference rooms are named after these giants.
The interviews in Part II were exasperating: Prof. Dennett merely waxed poetic about Darwin with nary a doubt from RD; whereas the two doubters Wright and Mackay were from another time zone altogether; however, the interview with the physician, R. Neese, was enjoyable and informative.

The best, gotta love R. Dawkins.If this makes you say " a-ha!" then check out The Greatest Show on Earth by R.D., a super read.

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"This series is about perhaps the most powerful idea ever to occur to the human mind. The idea is evolution by natural selection and the genius who thought of it was Charles Darwin [1809 to 1882]. I'm a biologist and Darwin has been an inspiration to me throughout my whole career.

His masterpiece, "On the Origin of Species" was published 150 years ago [in 1859] and it changed forever our view of the world and our place in it. What Darwin achieved was nothing less than a complete explanation of the complexity and diversity of all life. And yet it's one of the simplest ideas that anyone ever had.

In this series, I'm going to set out Darwin's big idea, I'll explain how the human species has struggled with the story of its own origins, and take you into the storm that is today's backlash against Darwin."

The above is what the narrator, Richard Dawkins, says in the introduction to this three-episode series. Dawkins is an ethologist, evolutionary biologist, popular science author, and formerly professor for Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University.

It is important to remember that this is a science presentation. It is NOT a documentary that presents the science VS religion debate.

This is a good primer on the man and the big idea that changed the way we think of the natural world and ourselves. The program goes further by looking at the implications of Darwin's work in the contemporary world.

It also addresses the continuing controversy surrounding Darwin's ideas and while it may seem to be a one-sided presentation, it's grounded in science rather than politics. (For me, after I saw this documentary, I wanted to read Darwin's 1859 masterpiece again!)

Three things stood out for me after I viewed this documentary:

(1) Darwin's ideas are explained quite well.

(2) Richard Dawkins' personal comments on Darwinian principles. For example (and I agree), he thinks "survival of the fittest" is an abhorrent way for human society to function.

(3) The e-mails Dawkins received after the publication of his bestselling book "The God Delusion" (2006). The comments (he reads some of them) he received were just horrible.

There is a second bonus disc included as well. It consists of six uncut interviews with a philosopher, a doctor/author, the head of the "Concerned Women for America" (CWA), the archbishop of Canterbury, a creationist, and science teachers. All interviews are informative, amusing, and can be exasperating. (I must confess that I almost pulled some of my hair out when listening to the interviews with the head of the CWA and the creationist.)

Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 2009) is flawless in picture and audio quality. The main disc has 3 informative extras.

In conclusion, Richard Dawkins does a superb job in this presentation of Charles Darwin's ideas. See for yourself why this show won the BBC's "Best Documentary Series" award!!

(2008; 2 hr, 20 min; 3 episodes; each episode 46 min; each episode 6 chapters; bonus disc 4 hr; wide screen)

<<Stephen Pletko, London, Ontario, Canada>>

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Richard Dawkins hosts this two-disk set for the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of "Origin."

The first disk contains three video essays about: Darwin's life and some of the evidence he used to support his revolutionary ideas; possible evolutionary explanations for the development of altruism; and the creationist backlash. There are also three short commentaries on individual species found in the Galapagos Islands and what they tell us about evolution.

The second disk presents six conversations with different people about evolution.

Dawkins' conversation with philosopher Daniel Dennett included some interesting comments about atheists finding as much spiritual joy, comfort, and solace in a godless world as believers find in a created world.

The conversation with Randolph Nesse discussed evolutionary insights into some of the health problems (design problems) that humans face and the importance of evolutionary thinking in medicine.

The conversation with Archbishop (of Canterbury) Rowan Williams touched on the massive failure of Christian clergy to tell their congregations the truth about evolution's compatibility with Christianity, and hinted at the possibility that faith and reason are two radically different ways of looking at the world.

The conversation with young-Earth science teacher John Mackay was noteworthy primarily for Mackay's failure to say anything meaningful.

In Dawkins' conversation with a group of what apparently were high school biology teachers, the highlight was Dawkins' bizarre suggestion (which, thankfully, he later seemed to modify) that students should be required not just to understand evolution, but to accept it. That's obviously, completely inappropriate.

The longest and IMHO most notable conversation was with Wendy Wright, head of "Concerned Women for America," perhaps the U.S.'s largest public policy women's organization. This 67-minute conversation revealed the utter stupidity and hypocrisy of the Intelligent Design movement.

Early on, Dawkins asked Wright what science education she'd had. Bizarrely, instead of answering directly, Wright took offense and accused Dawkins of resorting to ad hominem attacks. Apparently Wright is ignorant and proud of it. What a wonderful spokeswoman for a national organization focusing on public science education.

Interestingly, Wright repeatedly relied on ad homs herself, repeatedly questioning Darwinists' honesty, political motives, etc. Such hypocrisy is typical of Christian, ID-advocacy groups.

One argument in particular caught my ear, Wright's implication that atheistic Darwinists were responsible for the eugenics movement. In reality, of course, most, if not all, eugenics legislation in the U.S. was enacted by legislatures overwhelmingly comprised of Christians; and I suspect that very, very few of them were knowledgeable Darwinists. Wright's obvious hypocrisy seems to be matched by her utter cluelessness, again, typical of Christian ID-iots.

Wright stated that she wanted the "evidence against evolution" to be taught, repeating the "evidence against" mantra over and over again, like a broken wind-up toy. Unfortunately, other than vague references to undefined gaps in fossil sequences, Wright never actually described any of the so-called "evidence against evolution." What she did mention was Piltdown Man and Nebraska Man, neither of which, of course, can even remotely be considered as evidence against evolution. What an ignorant cow.

Wright repeatedly regurgitated various creationist slogans about teaching both sides of the controversy and insisted that the controversy was scientific, not religions; but when confronted with scientific evidence, Wright frequently changed the topic to religious arguments. What an ignorant cow.

Wright's brainless babbling about teaching "both sides of the controversy" was interesting for another reason. It turns out that CWFA is also quite vocal about sex-education, but when it comes to sex-ed, they are definitely not -- repeat, not -- interested in teaching both sides of that issue. Abstinence-only for Wright's organization! Again, what a hypocrite.

Wright's blind ignorance and hypocrisy were the overwhelming impressions I came away with. Unfortunately, Dawkins didn't exactly cover himself in glory either. He was simply unprepared to deal with a brainless wind-up toy like Wright. One of Wright's favorite tactics was to ask Dawkins for evidence of evolution, and in a 67-minute conversation Dawkins offered only three fossil examples: australopiths to modern humans, reptilian jaws to mammalian ears, and fish to land animals. After each example, Wright's response was always the same, some version of, "That's not good enough." It would have been child's play to make Wright look even dumber than she already looked, but Dawkins simply wasn't prepared. Instead of just three fossil sequences, Dawkins should have been prepared with a list of twenty. Being a brainless bimbo, Wright undoubtedly would have responded, "That's still not good enough," even after 20 different examples, which would expose in a very dramatic fashion how blind her stubbornness is. This tactic was used with great effect against Michael Behe in the Kitzmiller trial, and the judge got the message loud and clear that Behe's stubbornness in rejecting pro-evolution articles -- even articles Behe hadn't even read yet! -- was proof, not that evolution was flawed, but that Behe's opposition was based on blind ideology, not science.

Dawkins also seemed unprepared to deal with the falsifiability issue. He brought the issue up, so he was obviously aware of its importance, but he completely failed to follow up effectively on what might be the single most important difference between evolution and ID: Evolution makes testable (falsifiable) claims about fossil sequences, and ID doesn't. Evolution also makes testable claims related to biogeography, DNA sequences, anti-biotic resistance, petroleum exploration, biomimicry, the age of the Earth, geological strata, and many, many other issues. ID doesn't make any testable claims about any -- repeat, any-- scientific issues. Michael Behe was easily made to look like a complete fool on this point in the Kitzmiller trial. Why didn't Dawkins do that with the airhead Wendy Wright?

Dawkins also flubbed a couple of other points. Piltdown Man was never used as evidence for evolution? Science theories can become facts? Both claims are extremely dubious.

"Genius" has many good points, but could have been quite a bit better.

This one is good for having a balance on both the science and social/religious impact
of evolution. It is a bit light on the science but this is expected since Mr. Dawkins
is also focusing on how evolution affects our society, vis-a-vis politics. Still there is good science presented and a lot of neat evidence for evolution. If you really want more details on evidence for evolution I would stongly recommend his book 'The Greatest Show on Earth'. Even better, if you commute often, try the audio CD in which he is co-narrator.
I am devouring the book after listening to the CD. Amazing stuff!

This is a very good show. I recommend everyone watch this. I only wish there was a 6th star to rate this, because it deserves it.

Presenter/writer, Richard Dawkins, of this award-winning TV presentation of August, 2008, did not, apparently, have insider information about "Ardi", the newest discovered skeleton link, published in the journal "Science" in October of 2009.
Darwin's original publication fear in the 1850's, that a new discovery would prove his theory false, has perhaps come to fruition. It seems to rule out a chimp-to-man theory.

So why is this DVD worth 5-stars? Dawkins presents, in his dogmatic, argumentative, personality, the "science" side of Darwin's theory as he believes to have been factualized by discoveries since Darwin's days.
___Episode 1: Life, Darwin & Everything. Prof. Dawkins states, "Darwin has showed us that the world is beautiful and inspiring without a god." Charles Darwin claimed to be agnostic, not atheist, unlike Dawkins. Since 4 of 10 Britians believe in a God creation, Dawkins sets his sights on converting all to Darwinism, as he views it. He marries genetics with evolution and begins his program of confronting the like-minded as well as opposition. The tension brings out information to educate, sometimes confound, but surely give the intellectual-minded a chance to rethink their own position on the creation controversy.
___Episode 2: The Fifth Ape. Dawkins states, "Were not descended from them (apes). We're cousins of them. So we and they go back to a common ancestor." The 2009, "Science" journal, offers: maybe not, probably not. This 2nd segment also spends time on genes, and it's relationship to Darwinism. Dawkins defends his own book writing on the subject, having once been labeled the "veneer theory."
___Episode 3: God Strikes Back. Charles Darwin, internally battled the religious/creationist view against his theory, privately, prior to publication. Self-proclaimed atheist, Prof. Dawkins, approaches creationists, he portrays as "religious fanatics" unable to see the facts. The disclosures about Darwins' religious degree, grief over a daughter's death, and nearly being scooped by another on the theory, sent me rapidly seeking additional history on the man and this sesquicentennial theory.

I'm a Protestant Christian, not a Dawkins atheist, and have my own opinion, although more incomplete than the narrator's view. But he challenged and inspired me to seek further knowledge, EXACTLY WHAT A QUALITY EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SHOULD DO. Thus 5-stars for a presentation that instigates additional research. AND TODAY, THERE IS HEADLINE-BREAKING NEWS TO ASSIST IN THE SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE.

A perfect time in the history of Darwin's theory of evolution, for this DVD set to inspire future research and debate. This DVD provides a hardcore pro-Darwin side. Anyone knowing the best pro-Intelligent Design equivalent, please leave a comment and a title on this review. We're all learning...daily.

BONUS MATERIAL in this DVD set is greater than the feature.
SUBTITLES on the feature are complements of Acorn Media.
3 Galapagos Island vignettes totaling 26 min. Turtle evolution predominantly.
Darwin bio, and the evolution of the Evolution Idea
6 interviews, excerpts were included in the feature, give over 4 hours of additional dialogue, both pro and con on evolution. A bit of the footage is rough, unedited camera work, but the debate is interesting.

My perspective after enjoying watching everything on this DVD set is:
After 150 years, it is yet a theory, and the debate rages.
There are extremists on both sides of the creation theory issue.
Dawkins does prove he can stoop to Oxford University professor vocabulary name-calling.
Dawkins, Darwinists, and Intelligent Designists need to read the journal "Science".
If evolution was a process put into place--who created the process? Darwin? Dawkins of Oxford? Mother Nature? God? King Kong? Mere happenstance? Ardipithecus ramidus?

Why has evolution stopped? Why are there still chimps? I came from a tadpole.........yeah. Ridiculous theory that is outdated. And why are we still teaching this drivel to our children as if it holds water?