This week, Sam is joined by Dave and new host, Rebecca Vitsmun (who may sound familiar to you) as we talk about news and emails, take calls, and talk about the horrible horrible debate that appears before us.
Sam Mulvey is a producer and the technical brain behind Ask an Atheist. He is a collector of vinegar varieties, vintage computers, antique radios, and propaganda.
Are you talking about Rebecca Vitsmun or is this someone else?
I am bad at the spelling.
Re: Bill Nye and GMOs, I admit I had to stop the podcast at that point, it was just too frustrating. His views don’t seem to have changed since his GMO episode of post-Science-Guy “Eyes of Nye.” On that point, I hope that a closer reading of the most up-to-date evidence might change his mind. Re: resurgence of science via geek culture, I thought of a cynical counter-scenario. Yeah, maybe science becomes more prominent in pop culture, but think about the most common imagery. You’ve got your Silicon Valley tech billionaires, Iron Man, Batman… they don’t put science/technology directly to… Read more »
Does anyone know where I can find the world map with all the events of the bible in one small circle in the Middle East that was briefly mentioned near the end of the show?
Google “everything in the bible occurred in this circle” and it should be the fourth image.
Hey guys! Since you mentioned the ‘tweet of god’ guy I just wanted to let you know (if you didn’t already) that he was interviewed recently (as God) on Neil Tyson’s podcast (yes – THE Neil Tyson). It’s very funny, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. 🙂
In the penultimate question during the FAQ, Bill Nye stated that, “Hang on, there is no evidence that humans are getting smarter.” Well, I just finished reading Steven Pinker’s Better Angels of Our Nature (outstanding book) in which he makes a compelling science-based argument that humans have been getting smart, i.e. The Flynn Effect. Whom do you think is correct on this point: Nye or Pinker? To quote from page 652 of Pinker’s book: The Flynn Effect has been found in thirty countries, including some in the developing world, and it has been going on ever since IQ tests were… Read more »
I didn’t hear the Bill Nye interview and perhaps 2nd hand, I’m misunderstanding what he said, but assuming I’ve got it right, I’m surprised and disappointed. I find his comments frankly amazing. Genetics don’t work like that. We aren’t risking creating some tomato-fish ravaging the ocean (I’m being facetious of course) Just as we share a large amount of DNA with say the banana (about 50%) so too must fish and tomatoes have huge overlaps in their DNA. When seen from this perspective, transferring a few genes from one to the other isn’t some great threat to the planet, or… Read more »
