The Age of Commercialism

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

After describing Professor Richard Dawkins as " The most misquoted and slandered public figure of the 21st Century " I thought take a look back at one of his documentaries . Dawkins as you'll probably know is the world's most prominent anti-theist . He's not someone who'll ever win a popularity contest . Despised by figures on the left such as the inconsequential Owen Jones and Rebecca Watson and hated by figures on the right such as the conservative Christians from the Bible Belt Dawkins seems to upset everybody . I do know people who are professional scientists who don't like him either and are forever referring him to " The man who brings out the exact same book every two years " which indicates a fair amount of jealousy for someone who is a celebrity scientist . Despite this Dawkins has popularised the field of science to the masses even though he seems to have broken an unwritten rule that it's only truly great scientists like Newton , Darwin and Einstein who should become household names . Much of his popularity might actually be down to being exactly how a fictional scientist might be . Like Professor Stephen Hawkings who ticks the boxes of a sci-fi villain in that he's all brains and no body Dawkins comes across as a sci-fi good guy who could easily be cast in the title role of classic DOCTOR WHO or the 1950s QUATERMASS serials . In this documentary he takes time out of putting the boot in to God and concentrates on something that does exist - alternative medicine . It comes in two parts Part one ) This centres around superstition in all its diverse forms . We're all superstitious to degree. Even to someone like me who finds the concept of karma impossible on an intellectual level does feel on an emotional level that it does exist at some point in my life . I do something wrong then destiny will screw me over . Apparently this stems from survival characteristics where a species needs to weigh up probabilities . We're shown fascinating archive footage of an experiment in America featuring pigeons . When a pigeon looks over its left shoulder it is fed hence the pigeon constantly looks over its left shoulder thinking this is the prime reason it is being fed rather than any other factor . It's the exact same thing with human behaviour which is delusional to a degree even if you can understand the logic behind the delusion Part two ) Dawkins investigates pseudo-science involving faith based medicine . Quantum physics , black holes you name it and someone is selling it in an industry making billions as Dawkins listens to all these modern day snake oil doctors with barely disguised contempt . Perhaps Dawkins main target is homeopathy which is effectively watered down water which is used to cure ailments . . He also makes a striking explanation as to just how diluted these supposed active ingredients are .What seems to rankle with Dawkins is that the British NHS uses homeopathy which in turn is funded by the taxpayer . You can at least understand Dawkins point of money being spent on a technique that has no basis in scientific reality . At least drugs which are prescribed have been proved to work A very interesting documentary that once again demolishes the myth that Dawkins is only interested in putting the boot in to religion . As a scientist he's more than happy to tear apart any popular culture that is self promoting itself as an alternative to science , especially when it has no basis in reality . As Professor Quatermass nearly said " Breen get these alternative medicines out of here "

In this documentary, Richard Dawkins goes after alternative medicine and explores how it stands up to reason and critical thinking. While some of the things he explores are fairly obviously bunk, he is sure to give each theory fair attention.I recently watched "Root of All Evil?" and enjoyed it. This follows a similar style, with Dawkins interviewing people he believes are practicing and pushing questionable beliefs. He steers clear of religion (for the most part) and his confrontational attitude is mellowed down, which I think is good -- the people he stands against have more of a chance to explain themselves, and it is their own words -- not Dawkins -- that makes them look smart or foolish.Astrology (specifically horoscopes) are attacked, as is cold reading and homeopathy. Each of these could be explored further, but Dawkins gives a good introduction to these beliefs and in my opinion debunks them in a fairly legitimate way. He even has Deepak Chopra explain himself, which is great considering Chopra's high level of respect amongst many people. When called out, he actually seems almost rational.Perhaps this would have been better as a series, with each week focusing on a different kind of medicine or alternative theory -- sort of like Penn and Teller's show, or a more serious version of "South Park" (they did a fine job attacking cold reading). But then, I guess that's been done. But I just can't get enough of that Dawkins, and my lady friend thinks he's a hot piece.

I don't particularly know anything about the writer/interviewer of this, and I watched this because someone else made me aware of its existence. Here, superstition is investigated, and science praised. Religion is not mentioned much at all beyond the very beginning, and I understand that it has already been explored in a prior effort by the same man who made this. Dawkins delves into the world of psychics, chakras and the like, and both undergoes treatments, readings and such, and talks with the spokespeople of them. He asks all the right questions, and comes across as quite respectful, considering his obviously differing opinion. He is notably less aggressive and overbearing than Michael Moore, who, I'm afraid, is really the only person I can think of to make comparisons to in this regard(I openly admit to not watching that many of these). Rather than attacking with accusations, Richard debates intelligently, and presents the facts, from what I can tell, entirely without bias. He exposes tricks used by some of those who claim to see beyond. He puts into perspective. Even if I did disagree with what he is saying, I'd find it a feat to argue points so logical. What he believes can be proved, and does not require faith, as a stark contrast to a large portion of what he takes a close look at herein. He and his approach are not really condescending, either. I am not aware of multiple versions of this, but what I watched was two parts, each of about 45 minutes, so an hour and a half of highly informational and revealing documentary. It points out that while some of it is harmless, certain of the practices can be harmful, to varying degrees. The production values leave little to be desired. The tone is serious, without being heavy, and allowing some irony. I recommend this to anyone who do or wish to value the tested, and/or tend to meet the opposite with skepticism. 8/10

It's great to see that science and reason has its own Michael Moore in Richard Dawkins. It's not just cool and amusing, but downright triumphant to see him ridicule and expose "alternative" medicine and other wholesale hoaxes. More power to him.And yet - I'm not really that big a Dawkins disciple. I think he focuses too much on reason in his own reasoning. Now, I'm certainly an atheist and a science-minded person and all that, but Dawkins' critique of religion almost exclusively hinges on how irrational it is. Well, sure it's irrational! Religion is about emotion. It's about fear and insecurity, much of which is very understandable in the life situations of the faithful, who frequently have very tough lives (esp. in earlier historical periods, but also today). Yet Dawkins doesn't address this at all. He doesn't really cut to the heart of the matter; he only talks about what's rational. So it's kind of only addressing half the issue, but, all right, that's entertaining too.As for something like homeopathy; well, it's certainly a bunch of nonsense, but, what's at work there is the placebo effect, and maybe this actually helps a lot of people. People who're insecure and have a deteriorating health because of it, might react well to assurances that this substance or that will help them, and their very belief in it will make it work - at least to some degree. I agree that it would be better if their problems could be solved in better ways, but as long as they can't be, the placebo effect is a useful and good form of medicine. Once social circumstances start improving (as we have to hope they will), maybe such things won't be necessary anymore, but can be replaced with real medicine (if needed).Still, despite Dawkins' uncompromisingly rational outlook, I think he's on the right path and I hope he does more programs like this. He needs to look into emotion, though.9 out of 10.