The Enemies of Reason
Nullifidian gives us some advanced notice that Richard Dawkins is working on another documentary, this time on the topic of supernatural cranks; you know, the “I bent this spoon so gimme yer money” variety.
“I’ve just been made aware (thanks to a couple of videos posted by Cosmic Afterthoughts) of two episodes of a new Dawkins documentary called The Enemies of Reason, where Dawkins’ takes to task woo in general and, inter alia, über-woo-merchant Deepak Chopra in particular, which I’m looking forward to. “
(Nullifidian, 2007)
Apparently (and again not being Dawkins’ choice as with ‘The Root of all Evil‘), this one will be called ‘The Enemies of Reason.’
Furthermore, Nullifidian speculates that Dawkins may be stepping on what was traditionally the territory of the likes of James Randi. I wonder if “the memory of water” is going to get a critical analysis (which reminds me, I have still have to have a gripe about Dawn “Guaranteed Potency” Fraser). Apparently spoon bending is.
Speaking of Australian celebrities who use their status to help peddle bunk, and seeing James Randi got a mention, let’s just cast our minds back to remember just how little these enemies of reason enjoy free critical discussion. Who can forget Don Lane’s outburst (Youtube) when the “work” of one of his personal friends was the subject of criticism by Randi?
Enjoy the weekend peeps.
~ Bruce
Incidentally, has anyone heard if/when the ABC/SBS is screening/has screened Root of all Evil?
I don’t think they have, I don’t think they will… Can you imagine it on Compass?
More an SBS thing. At least they aren’t afraid to push the envelope a little bit.
Hi there. I thought I’d just point out that I wasn’t asserting that Dawkins was encroaching on Randi’s traditional area of expertise, just observing that this is a little off the beaten track for him. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bearded one appeared as an interviewee at some point in the former’s show.
Oh, and welcome to my blogroll.
I know, it’s not like it’s Randi’s property or anything. I wasn’t meaning to imply that you were :O
Cheers for the add to the blogroll
Who can forget Don Lane’s outburst (Youtube) when the “work” of one of his personal friends was the subject of criticism by Randi?
I’m too young to remember, of course, but was interest in the paranormal/psychics/UFOs/etc. more widespread c. 1980? Don seemed to have a lot of support from the audience that day.
Yeah, it was.
Shame on the audience. A bit like some smokers’ resentment towards anti-smoking information (or at least some smokers of yesteryear); Fill their own heads with denial and irrational BS that tells them nobody is getting harmed, then squeel how dare someone criticise their beliefs when their beliefs spread as meme and really do hurt other people.
I’m starting to re-think the “good people to do bad things” argument, in light of a “how to get bad people to think that they are good people” argument.
Yes, I realised that, I just wanted to clarify what I said, just in case it wasn’t obvious. Thanks for the link too.
Yes, I realised that, I just wanted to clarify what I said, just in case it wasn’t obvious.
I realised that as well. Did you realise that I realised that you realised?
I think that I realised that you realised that I realised…
I didn’t realise that.
Root of all Evil is starting this Sunday on the ABC, 9:30pm.
Yeah – Arthur said so in another thread.
PS. You’ll get on well with Romana with that Dr Who motif of yours.
Its on google video if you missed it
Part 1 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4321574955310561251
part 2 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8210522903232438954
El,
You are a legend.
Arrrghh! That’s “Root of all evil”, not “Enemies of reason”!