Richard Dawkins On Genes, Memes, AI, Religion, and Life Beyond Earth [Ep. 454]

Why are men's sex drives so strong? Can genetic information be destroyed? And why does the desert lizard have such intricate patterns? 

I had the extraordinary privilege of exploring these topics with Richard Dawkins, one of the world’s most influential and thought-provoking scientists!

Dawkins is a renowned evolutionary biologist, zoologist, and author. He is also a prominent figure in New Atheism alongside Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens and is well known for his criticisms of creationism and intelligent design. 

In our wide-ranging conversation, we explored the evolution of sex drive and aesthetic appreciation, genetics, the intersection of theoretical and experimental science, the potential of artificial intelligence, and more. 

Tune in!

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Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:56 Why is the sex drive in men so strong?
• 04:44 DNA, origin of life and panspermia 
• 10:28 Is there life elsewhere in the universe?
• 14:58 Memes and their evolution 
• 21:13 Homage to Daniel Dennett 
• 23:20 Natural selection and evolution 
• 26:59 The threats and opportunities of AI
• 31:05 A shifting moral zeitgeist 
• 35:15 Science communication 
• 43:02 Audience questions 
• 47:01 Technology, magic, and time capsules
• 56:22 Outro

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Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Richard Dawkins:

✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/RichardDawkins/ 

💻 Website: https://richarddawkinstour.com/

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➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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