Richard Dawkins at the Institute of Education

Last night we went to see Richard Dawkins speaking at the Institute of Education. It wasn’t the most organised lecture I’ve ever attended and due to my wife’s knowledge of the building we accidently found ourselves in the foyer of the hall, past any ticket checks before I had picked up our tickets. I actually… Continue reading Richard Dawkins at the Institute of Education

Dawkins Speaking Tonight

This doesn’t seem to have been advertised particularly well, but Richard Dawkins is speaking at the Institute of Education this evening. I’ve just got tickets – which is pretty amazing given how impossible it was to get tickets the last time I tried. The talk at the LSE celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Selfish… Continue reading Dawkins Speaking Tonight

The Richard Dawkins Foundation

Whilst reading the publicity that surrounds The God Delusion and now reading the book itself, one point that kept coming into my mind was that we really need some kind of organisation that can serve as a focal point for atheists and can campaign for more rational thought in public life. And it seems that… Continue reading The Richard Dawkins Foundation

The God Delusion

Richard Dawkins’ new book, The God Delusion is published today and over the weekend the publicity machine started up. On Friday Dawkins was interviewed on Newnight. The interview will still be available from that site until tonight’s edition replaces it later today. The Newsnight site also has some extracts from the book and a discussion… Continue reading The God Delusion

Planetarium Replacement

Tussauds closed the London Planetarium closed recently and over the weekend the Guardian reported on its replacement – a show about celebrities called “the Stardome”[1]. One phrase rang particularly true for me. “It’s a no-brainer,” said Nicky Marsh, marketing director of the waxwork attractions. And, in several senses, she was right. I despair. [1] Do… Continue reading Planetarium Replacement

Creationism in Schools

I’ve just spotted this article from Tuesday’s Education Guardian which talks about the teaching of creationism in schools and concentrates on the visit to the UK of mad Australian creationist John Mackay. Of course, Richard Dawkins can always be relied on for a good quote: “The spread of Peter Vardy’s creationist beliefs into the academies… Continue reading Creationism in Schools

Steve Jones at the Royal Academy

I found a couple of reports of this week’s evolution lecture. Firstly a write-up from a blogger who was lucky enough to get in and secondly a review at The Register. The Register also gives a link to a statement issued by the Royal Society about evolution, creationism and intelligent design. Science has proved enormously… Continue reading Steve Jones at the Royal Academy

Why Creationism is Wrong and Evolution is Right

I failed to get in to Steve Jones’s lecture at the Royal Society last night. Unfortunately, I didn’t fail to get in until I had been standing in the rain for over half an hour. Apparently there was room for 500 people in the hall and I estimate that at least 200 were turned away.… Continue reading Why Creationism is Wrong and Evolution is Right