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1. "The Black Cloud" by Fred Hoyle
1.1. Plot: illustrates the way discoveries are made more than once in different ways.
1.1.1. A deplorable book.
1.1.2. deplorable: (adjective) deserving strong condemnation.
1.1.2.1. Understood the difficulty of separating individuals from the group they are embedded in.
1.1.2.1.1. arbitrary: (adjective) based on random choice rather than any reason.
1.1.2.1.2. "The Black Cloud" was the first book that had pumped his intuition about information theory and the idea of the arbitrariness.
1.1.2.2. Learned more science from it than anyone expects from a work of fiction.
2. Mission of the Richard Dawkins Foundation (US) "Our mission is to support scientific education, critical thinking and evidence-based understanding of the natural world in the quest to overcome religious fundamentalism, superstition, intolerance and human suffering. Our mission is to support scientific education, critical thinking and evidence-based understanding of the natural world in the quest to overcome religious fundamentalism, superstition, intolerance and human suffering."
3. Charles Darwin: world-renown naturalist and geologist. Biggest contributor to evolutionary theory
4. Scaling the Secular City: A Defense of Christianity by J.P. Moreland
4.1. Rated 4.6/5 stars in the area of secularism
5. Richard Dawkins supports Michael Gove's plan to put a King James Bible in every state school. Dawkins believes that the Bible is a world-class piece of literature that doesn't need to be read to live life, but just read as an example of beautiful early literature.
5.1. "The good book should be read as a great work of literature – but it is not a guide to morality, as the education secretary Michael Gove would have us believe."- Taken from this article about Michael Gove's plan to let students read Bibles in school, not just because they are religious. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/may/19/richard-dawkins-king-james-bible
6. King James version of bible:is an English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England begun in 1604 and completed in 1611
7. I found an online version of King James Bible here: http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
8. "Secularism is the principle of separation of government institutions, and the persons mandated to represent the State, from religious institutions and religious dignitaries."
8.1. Separation of Church & State
8.1.1. Decisions about the state (and Government) should be unbiased. No additional motivation from religious or personal influence.
8.1.2. Creates an Equal Playing Field: For those in and outside the role of the Church
9. "There's not one occurrence of the word God, or afterlife, or anything like that. It doesn't attack religion, it's a positive book, there's nothing negative in it. People may think it's against religion – but it isn't."
10. Ecclesiastes is more of a melancholy book. The book of Ecclesiastes provides a stark example of how relevant the Old Testament can be in today's world. The title of the book comes from the Greek word for "preacher" or "teacher." More on this book is located here… http://christianity.about.com/od/oldtestamentbooks/a/JZ-Book-Of-Ecclesiastes.htm
11. Science and Secularism
11.1. Science
11.1.1. http://www.sciencemag.org/
11.1.2. Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe
11.1.2.1. From the Latin: scientia, which means "knowledge
11.2. Science and Secularism: The Collaboration
11.2.1. From a historical standpoint, Science has almost always fell under the jurisdiction of the church and when scientific advancement disagrees with church views things get tricky. Notable example- Darwin's Theory of Evolution.
11.2.1.1. Or the works of Galileo Galilei, which stated that the Geocentric model, which was long-held by the church, was incorrect. Galileo stated that the Earth orbits around the sun.
11.2.1.1.1. Geocentric: The stars revolve around the Earth and the Earth is the center of the universe.
11.2.1.1.2. Galileo was excommunicated (or kicked out) of the Catholic church for his radical beliefs.
11.2.2. http://www.scribd.com/doc/17326648/Introduction-Secularism-and-Science-in-the-21st-Century
11.2.3. http://www.allaboutworldview.org/secular-science.htm
11.2.4. Science or Secularism
11.2.4.1. Somewhat Interesting Article from a theistic perspective. Although not arguing from a Scientific and Secularist buddy standpoint. It offers interesting points on how scientific discovery doesn't always mean Science V. Church. Please keep in mind that this article is written from a theistic background. Just as the other articles are written from a secular background. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2013/05/17/is-science-secular
11.3. Secularism
11.3.1. Not an attack of personal beliefs or an infringement upon 1st Amendment Rights
11.3.2. Essentially separation of church and state.
12. In the bible, Songs of songs, also known as songs of Solomon, is a collection of love poetry. And much like Shakespeare's love sonnets, the poetry in Song of Songs doesn't go from point A to point Z. I know that Richard Dawkins would like to meet Shakespeare if he could, which make sense why he likes to read songs of Solomon. You can learn more about this book here…. http://www.shmoop.com/song-of-songs/summary.html
13. Hugh Lofting (1889 - 1947):
13.1. Author and creator of Dr. Dolittle
13.1.1. Racism
13.1.1.1. The novel itself was controversial and suspected of racism. (Ironic since in later film adaptations Eddie Murphy Portrays him)
13.1.1.1.1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0zVwz2jIf8
13.1.1.2. While fighting in WWI, he didn't want to tell his kids about the brutality of war, so instead he created the character of Dr. Dolittle.
13.1.1.2.1. They began as creative letters, and set the foundations for his later novels.
13.1.1.3. In the 1920's there was a strong sense of racism in fiction, many other authors were also considered to have hinted at racism in their writing.
13.1.1.3.1. Agatha Christie
13.1.1.3.2. H.C McNeile "Sapper" wrote
13.1.1.4. Dawkins however did not see the aspects of racism in this novel as a bad thing; instead he appreciated the anti-speciesism.
13.1.1.4.1. Anti-speciesism: n. Human intolerance or discrimination on the basis of species, especially as manifested by cruelty to or exploitation of animals.
14. "Avoid Boring People" by James Watson
14.1. His biography on the Nobel Prize website as well: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1962/watson-bio.html
14.2. A summary from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Avoid-Boring-People-Lessons-Science/dp/0375727140
14.3. James D. Watson's Ted Talk on how we discovered DNA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HgL5OFip-0
15. Disappointing, overrated, just not good: What book did you feel you were supposed to like, and didn’t?
15.1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
15.1.1. Other works by Jane Austen http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janeinfo.html#janetoc http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
15.1.1.1. Northanger Abbey
15.1.1.1.1. Sense and Sensibility
15.1.2. This book showes the values of time period. It might seen "not exciting" but if you take time and think back, society used to be like that. Women were valued on how well they were married.
15.1.2.1. It also shows how people are quick to assume things about poeple. (not in a racial profiling or racism type of way)
15.1.2.2. Patriarchal Society: A social system in which the father is the head of the family and men have authority over women and children.
15.2. A "modern" version/parody http://www.youtube.com/user/LizzieBennet?feature=watch
15.3. "Not excited over who married who, or about how rich the characters are"
16. What is the best book you have read so far this year?
16.1. "The Kite Runner" by Khailed Hosseini
16.1.1. It is a novel that tells the truth through the setting and the characters
16.1.1.1. You may go to Khailed Hosseini's Website to find out more about it here: http://khaledhosseini.com/books/the-kite-runner/synopsis/
16.1.1.1.1. Or go on my blog to read my literature analysis on it at:
16.1.1.1.2. I have a literature analysis on this book too!
16.1.2. The follow up to this book is ^
16.1.2.1. Literary Analysis on this book on my blog- http://cknightrhsenglitcomp.blogspot.com/
16.2. The author responds that his favorite book read this year is Daniel Dennett’s “Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking. I searched it up and what really interested me was the 7 ideas...
16.2.1. Seven tools for thinking
16.2.1.1. #1 Use your mistakes.
16.2.1.1.1. #2 respect your opponenent
17. If you could meet any writer, dead or alive, who would it be? What would you want to know?
17.1. Shakespeare. He was impressed by his humbleness.
17.2. Shakespeare
17.2.1. Here is a link that leads to a Timeline of Shakespeare. http://absoluteshakespeare.com/trivia/timeline/timeline.htm
17.3. Shakespeare: I assume that Richard thinks Shakespeare's work may have been more impactful to society if he studied at Oxford or Cambridge, because they are known as excellent colleges
17.4. I think Richard was intrigued by Shakespeare because he invented a new style of writing as well as a new form of sonnets
17.5. Shakespeare inspired him, because he influenced the English language so greatly.
17.6. Here are links that will lead you to two of his famous pieces Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. Romeo and Juliet http://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/full.html Hamlet http://drprestonsrhsenglitcomp13.blogspot.com/p/hamlet.html
17.6.1. More Shakespeare quotes for reference http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/william_shakespeare.html
18. Theism: The belief that God exists or that many gods exist, or the belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world. "http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theism"
18.1. atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist
18.1.1. not to be confused with agnosticism, which is currently the affiliation of tons of people. agnosticism is an intellectual doctrine or attitude affirming the uncertainty of all claims to ultimate knowledge.
19. Vocabulary
19.1. (1st Response) Obscurantist: n. one with a policy of holding information from the public; one with a style of deliberate vagueness obliqueness in literature
19.2. (2nd Response) Luminaries: n. people who are an inspiration to others; people who have achieved eminence in specific fields
19.3. (3rd Question) Secularism: n. religious skepticism or indifference; the view that religious considerations should be excluded from public education
19.4. (5th Response) Ubiquitous: adj. being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent
19.5. (6th Response) Deplorable: adj. worthy of severe condemnation or reproach; woeful; lamentable; wretched; bad
19.6. (7th Response) Vocation: n. a regular occupation; an inclination to undertake a certain kind of work, especially a religious career; a calling
19.7. (8th Response) Pantheon: n. a temple dedicated to all gods; all the gods of the people considered as a group; a public building commemorating and dedicated to the heroes of a nation; a group of persons most highly regarded for a field or endeavor
19.8. (10th Response) Salutary: adj. effecting or designed to effect an improvement; remedial; favorable to health; wholesome
19.9. (10th Response) Pseudoscience: n. a theory, methodology, or practice that is considered to be without scientific foundation
19.10. Sympathetic-adjective 1. feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy Metaphors - noun 1. a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. Imagery - noun 1. visually descriptive or figurative language, esp. in a literary work Aficionado - noun 1. a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime.
20. Childhood influence
20.1. Red Strangers by Elspeth Huxley
20.1.1. Growing up in Kenya in the early twentieth century, the brothers Matu and Muthegi are raised according to customs that, they are told, have existed since the beginning of the world. But when the 'red' strangers come, sunburned Europeans who seek to colonize their homeland, the lives of the two Kikuyu tribesmen begin to change in dramatic new ways. Soon, their people are overwhelmed by unknown diseases that traditional magic seems powerless to control. And as the strangers move across the land, the tribe rapidly finds itself forced to obey foreign laws that seem at best bizarre, and that at worst entirely contradict the Kikuyu's own ancient ways, rituals and beliefs. "http://books.google.com/books/about/Red_Strangers.html?id=3JTIV44yri0C"
21. Childhood Literary Hero
21.1. Dr. Dolittle
21.1.1. "This gentle, kindly naturalist, who could talk to nonhuman animals and commanded godlike powers through their devotion to him." - Richard Dawkins.
21.1.2. Charles Darwin:
21.1.2.1. Dawkins connected Dr. Dolittle to the works of Charles Darwin.
21.1.2.2. The Voyage of the Beagle
22. Books to insist world leaders to read.
22.1. Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan
22.1.1. Audiobook: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGkfs9WU98s
22.1.2. Carl Sagan Portal: http://www.carlsagan.com/
22.1.3. Themes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Demon-Haunted_World
22.1.4. PDF of the Whole Book: http://www.e-reading.biz/bookreader.php/148582/The_Demon-Haunted_World_:_Science_as_a_candle_in_the_dark.pdf
22.1.5. best antidote known for superstition and pseudoscience,
22.1.5.1. Pseudoscience: includes beliefs, theories, or practices that have been or are considered scientific, but have no basis in scientific fact. This could mean they were disproved scientifically, can’t be tested or lack evidence to support them
22.1.6. Summary as a whole + separate chapters: http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-the-demon-haunted-world/
22.1.7. Quick Quotes: http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/252618-the-demon-haunted-world-science-as-a-candle-in-the-dark
22.2. Evolution of Cooperation by Robert Axelrod
22.2.1. Video About It (References Richard Dawkins): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GFQ-rXYnyY
22.2.2. PDF of the Whole Book: http://www.sfs.uni-tuebingen.de/~roland/Literature/Axelrod(81)_the_evolution_of_cooperation.pdf
22.2.3. All About It: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Evolution_of_Cooperation
22.2.4. Robert Axelrod's University of Michigan Page: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~axe/
22.2.5. A- F Lessons: http://www.rlopez7.info/resumenes-de-lecturas/26-evolution-of-cooperation-robert-axelrod-summary.html
22.2.5.1. A: The Prisoners' Dilemma: This basic problem occurs when the pursuit of self-interest by each leads to a poor outcome for all.
22.2.5.1.1. This maybe illustrated with a game is called the Prisoner’s Dilemma because in its original form two prisoners face the choice of informing on each other (defecting) or remaining silent (cooperating). Each must make the choice without knowing what the other will do. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/prisoner-dilemma/
22.2.5.2. B: Lessons from World War I: In the midst of this bitter conflict, the frontline soldiers often refrained from shooting to kill – provided their restraint was reciprocated by the soldiers on the other side.
22.2.5.3. C: Conditions for stable cooperation:
22.2.5.3.1. 1. The individuals involved do not have to be rational: The evolutionary process allows successful strategies to thrive. 2. Nor do they have to exchange messages or commitments: 3. There is no need to assume trust between the players. 4. Altruism is not needed. 5. No central authority is needed. 6. For cooperation to emerge, the interaction must extend over an indefinite (or at least an unknown) number of moves. For cooperation to prove stable, the future must have a sufficiently large shadow. 7. In order for cooperation to get started in the first place, there must be some clustering of individuals who use strategies with two properties: The strategy cooperates on the first move, and discriminates between those who respond to the cooperation and those who do not.
22.2.5.4. D: How cooperation evolves: The foundation is not trust, but the durability of the relationship.
22.2.5.5. E: The Value of Provocability: Better to respond quickly
22.2.5.6. F: A Self-Reinforcing Ratchet Effect
23. In general, what kinds of stories are you drawn to?
23.1. appreciates "novels that pump scientific intuition"
23.1.1. Examples of novels/authors of scientific fiction
23.1.1.1. A Space Odyssey by Sir Arthur C. Clarke
23.1.1.1.1. about the "Dawn of Man" and how it comes back around to becoming "Man"
23.1.1.1.2. Clarke was the best science fiction writer while Asimov claimed the title of the best science writer; this began the "Clarke-Asmiov Treaty"
23.1.1.2. "The Dead Past" by Isaac Asimov
23.1.1.2.1. concerns the government and the preservation of science
23.1.1.3. "Dark Universe" by Daniel F. Galouye
23.1.1.3.1. concerns mythology and the origin of religion
23.1.1.3.2. "A people who, for reasons that emerge, lost light at some remote part of their history and now live in perpetual darkness, retain “light” in their language but only in mythic allusions to a lost paradise from which they have fallen. "
23.1.2. Definition of science fiction (if needed) : a form of fiction that draws imaginatively on scientific knowledge and speculation in its plot, setting, theme, etc. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/science+fiction?s=t)
23.2. he also enjoys social satire that consists of observations of the way people are and how they talk
23.2.1. Examples
23.2.1.1. Evelyn Waugh
23.2.1.1.1. http://www.biography.com/people/evelyn-waugh-9525520
23.2.1.2. Aldous Huxley
23.2.1.2.1. http://www.biography.com/people/aldous-huxley-9348198
23.2.1.3. Kingsley Amis
23.2.1.3.1. http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/kingsley-amis-5.php
23.2.1.4. Michael Frayn
23.2.1.4.1. http://americantheatrewing.org/biography/detail/michael_frayn
24. Favorite Contemporary Writers and Thinkers
24.1. Steven Pinker
24.1.1. His Twitter: https://twitter.com/sapinker
24.1.2. His Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Pinker
24.1.3. known for his advocacy of evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind
24.2. Daniel Kahneman
24.2.1. His Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Kahneman
24.2.2. His TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_experience_vs_memory.html
24.2.3. notable for his work on the psychology of judgment and decision-making, behavioral economics and hedonic psychology
24.3. Matt Ridley
24.3.1. His Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattwridley
24.3.2. His Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Ridley
24.4. Lawrence Krauss
24.4.1. His Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_M._Krauss
24.4.2. His Twitter: https://twitter.com/LKrauss1
24.5. Jared Diamond
24.5.1. His Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Diamond
24.5.2. His TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/jared_diamond_on_why_societies_collapse.html
24.6. Martin Rees
24.6.1. His Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Rees,_Baron_Rees_of_Ludlow
24.6.2. His TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/martin_rees_asks_is_this_our_final_century.html
24.7. Jerry Coyne
24.7.1. His Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Coyne
24.7.2. His Twitter: https://twitter.com/Evolutionistrue
24.8. A.C. Grayling
24.8.1. His Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._C._Grayling
24.8.2. Him on The Colbert Report: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/425048/april-03-2013/a-c--grayling
25. What books would you recommend to an aspiring scientist?
25.1. “Advice to a Young Scientist” by Peter Medawar
25.1.1. His biography on the Nobel Prize website: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1960/medawar-bio.html
25.1.2. Some quotes: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Peter_Medawar#Advice_to_a_Young_Scientist_.281979.29
25.1.2.1. A video of famous quotes by him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfX53yt6Cb4
25.1.3. A summary and some reviews: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/905743.Advice_To_A_Young_Scientist
26. HERE IS THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/books/review/richard-dawkins-by-the-book.html?smid=pl-share
27. Synopsis of Richard Dawkins Life.
27.1. The Early Years
27.1.1. Dawkins was born in Narobi Kenya
27.1.1.1. Mother: Jean Mary Vyvyan (Photo Not Found)
27.1.1.2. Father: Clinton John Dawkins 1915-2010
27.1.1.2.1. Agricultural Civil Servant
27.1.1.2.2. Wartime soldier in Nyasaland
28. Richard Dawkins: Background Information
28.1. http://www.richarddawkins.net
28.2. Kenyan born English Kenya-born English ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and author of several books including "The God Delusion" (for which he is probably best known as an author) and "The Selfish Gene". Also known for introducing the word "meme" into society
29. You have written several books on science and secularism. What other books on the subject would you recommend?
29.1. The Good Book: A Secular Bible by A.C. Grayling
29.1.1. Here's an article on the book:http://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/apr/03/grayling-good-book-atheism-philosophy
30. What book are you going to read next?
30.1. War and Peace
30.1.1. Written by Russian author Leo Tolstoy
30.1.2. Book review and plot summary
30.1.3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXUcmQrbDkY
30.2. Read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
30.2.1. Biography of Leo Tolstory:http://www.ccel.org/browse/authorInfo?id=tolstoy
31. What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves?
32. What book has had the greatest impact on you?
32.1. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
32.1.1. Randy Pausch's talk on "achieving your childhood dreams" This coicides with his book http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
32.1.2. His official website http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/
32.1.3. Find his talk on TED Talk's website http://www.ted.com/talks/randy_pausch_really_achieving_your_childhood_dreams.html
32.1.4. Wikipedia Profile:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch
32.1.5. ABC New's Report on Pausch's death: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/randy-pausch-lecture-professor-dies/story?id=4614281
32.1.6. Carnegie Mellon's Website: http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/
33. What book have you always meant to read and haven’t gotten around to yet?
33.1. David Lodge's Humiliation game.
33.1.1. Lodge invented a literary parlour game called 'Humiliation' in Changing Places, which remains popular at dinner parties. Players name classics of literature that they have not read, the winner being the one who exhibits the most woeful literary lacuna. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/jun/13/david.lodge
33.2. David Lodge's wiki. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lodge_(author)
34. Anything you feel embarrassed not to have read?
34.1. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_and_Peace
34.1.1. Leo Tolstoy's wiki (Lived in the Russian empire). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy
34.1.1.1. War and Peace was generally about the French Invasion of Russia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_invasion_of_Russia
34.1.2. The book was during the Napoleonic era. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_era
34.1.2.1. Russian culture of War and Peace. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_culture
35. You were born in Kenya and spent your early childhood there. What kinds of books did you read while growing up in Africa?
35.1. Okay so I deleted my own work. I have no idea how to get it back.. I'm just going to continue from Geraldine Elliot and we can all play back through to see it.
35.2. Geraldine Elliot was an African Folktale writer, popular for her book Where the Leopard Passes.
35.2.1. As folklore goes, the stories taught lessons and were personified animals including hyenas and rabbits and leopards. Dawkins mentions Chinyanja, a local language
35.2.1.1. There are a total of 69 languages spoken in Africa, and they different dialects are considered mother tongues. Two main languages of Kenya are English and Swahili.