Understanding life through General senses
What an amazing event! Intriguing stories, great thinkers and most of all, a very entertaining gathering of some of the best in their field. I truly recommend watching both parts of the symposium, as part 2 has the questions and answers portion, with some extra enthusiasm with Neil deGrasse Tyson’s participation.
Sometimes it is okay to admit that you don’t know the answers to some of the major questions about life; where do we come from and what are we doing here? If you claim to have the answers, then it is your duty to present proof, not the skeptic. “When someone makes a factual claim, the obligation lies with them to support their claim, it is not the obligation of the skeptic to prove the claim false.” Absolute certainty comes with the burden of proof. Doubt, skepticism and questioning are tools to search for the truth and not the truth itself.
Quantum mechanics is a bizarre topic in science, and the many scientists who specialize in this field usually say the same thing about it. Richard Feynman once said” I think I can safely say nobody understands quantum mechanics.” Niel Bohr, who was the father of quantum physics, chimed in and said ” If quantum mechanics hasn’t profoundly shocked you, you haven’t understood it yet.” In his speech, Jim Al-Khalili describes how European Robins (the birds) migrate in a direction that might link the way they navigate to the earth’s magnetic fields on a quantum level. Complicated but very thrilling, alluding to understanding biology, chemistry and physics in quantum level. Imagine if he is right! This will shed light on many important fields in the future such as quantum computers, medicine and the origins of the universe. Experiments and tests are still being conducted in this field since it first started in the 1920′s and I think in order to understand quantum mechanics, we have to use our imaginations because in the quantum world some major principles do not necessarily apply. Enjoy!
Some topics in science, like quantum mechanics and evolution, are overwhelmingly confusing. I feel the majority of people do not take the time to understand science because of this particular reason. People confuse this confusion between sadness and frustration when instead it should be excitement and adventure. Richard Dawkins explains ” We evolved to avoid tigers in the wild, we didn’t evolve to do quantum physics.” Physics is a very exciting topic to me. I am awestruck with its principles, always a humbling experience and it is a very powerful tool to understanding the world around us. I think Lawrence Krauss is an excellent teacher of modern science. I recommend taking the time out of your busy schedule to understand this little bit of science. Enjoy!
“Merely complaining without posing an alternative offers nothing.”
“لا قيمة للشكوى دون تقديم بدائل”
Jacque Fresco is an inspirational man. He is very well spoken, and his words and ideas are very clear. To me, he is the definition of a natural leader, and how I wish every politician or person with power shares views like those of Mr. Fresco. The world would be a better place. “I believe they [people] can change quickly if the information is presented to them clearly.” I recommend watching this interview, especially if you are pursuing architecture and engineering or have an interest in these fields. For more information on Fresco’s designs click here.
Finally this debate is available online, after some controversy at the commencement of the seminar when Professor Krauss realized the audience was to be segregated (Professor Krauss’ protestations here). This is not one of my favorite debates, as it was infuriating at times, especially when you listen to an obnoxious speaker such as Hamza Tzortzis. He emphasizes the use of sophisticated and complicated words and portrays that he is well-read, but the end result is that his arguments are useless. For instance, his example of linking the Arabic language to the language of the Quran and then suggesting that they are not the same! This makes no sense at all!! What do you mean exactly? Are you saying that no one who speaks Arabic can understand the Quran, or no one actually has properly interpreted it? Does your argument lead to the conclusion that each individual person will have his or her own interpretation of it? He depends on the same argument over and over in most of his other talks such as the infinity argument, which Professor Krauss painted out as “wrong science”. Krauss, who was confident, blunt and strong in making his case (from the start of the debate before it even began) pointed out that the actual question of the whole debate is inappropriate. And this is, that unlike Islam, Atheism is not a belief system, it is common sense. If you have the patience, I recommend watching the whole debate. Enjoy!
Beautiful lecture by the scientific philosopher Daniel Dennett, simplifying the magical myth we associate with free will. One of his slides include three key elements to his speech.
I think free thought is how freedom evolves. Enjoy!
You can’t speak about the universe and not mention Richard Feynman and Albert Einstein. These two great men discovered two main principles in physics. Einstein dedicated his life to understand the world of the very big, general relativity and Feynman focused on the world of the very small, quantum physics. In this lecture, Brian Cox beautifully describes the role of scientific thinking and how these two men changed the way we think about the universe up until this day. Enjoy!
Taken from simple tom
This is a fun and short video explaining the story of genetics. I especially recommend this video for kids who ask the awkward question ” Mammy how do we make babies?”
Feynman describes his philosophy and definition of scientific thinking. He encourages us to question, doubt and look at things from a different point view. “There is no harm in doubt and skepticism, for it is through these that new discoveries are made.”
Great man, great mind.
On a Saturday morning, get a cup of coffee, free your schedule, get comfortable and watch this three episode documentary about the basic questions we ask about life. Questioning is healthy, and better yet if it becomes a healthy habit. What a feeling it is when we explore a new country, when presented with evidence for a new theory, when testing a new product, or when discussing politics; how amplified it can be by questioning. We go through this everyday, but do we really afford the necessary time to analyze and contemplate our experiences? You read, watch, research and discuss all kinds of ideas and you go through a whole process of doubt, looking for better understanding on topics and seeking assurances for them against older beliefs. Certain conclusions may not immediately be reached, and answers hard to come by, but once that unasked question is asked, doors open in this fascinating process from not knowing to knowing, or knowing but now even better. Some call it the Socratic method, some critical thinking or the scientific method. All I know is that it changes us and gives us an incentive to explore and adapt to change, it moves us away from being static in thought and action. The ability to think using our neurons in our brain is something we have to cherish, and it all starts with questions.
THE GENERALIST