Next on ETFF…
Sunday’s, March 7 & 14; 6:30 PM EST
Two-Part (belated) Darwin Day Special!
“What’s all the Fuss About? Darwinism and it’s Discontents
Featuring Dr. Joseph Graves, Jr. and Dr. John Bellamy Foster
As we’ve just bypassed both the 200th anniversary of the great Naturalist Charles Darwin’s birth on February 12th, and the 150th anniversary of perhaps the most influential scientific text of all time – “On the Origin of Species” (11/24/09) - the humanist and Freethought community in general, and the world at large, has once again grappled with the significance of the scientific theory of evolution via natural selection.
In most of the developed world, and elsewhere, Darwin’s theories have not only been understood and championed, but put to the real tests of understanding not only the origins and complexity of life forms on Earth, but via the treatment of diseases for which evolution’s tenets are absolutely vital. Still, populations - usually those where religion still carries great meaning for many people (particularly the Abrahamic religions), including many states in the US – have not only been reluctant to embrace evolutionary science, but have actively fought against the teaching of evolution and it’s very existence.
The strong hold of Creationism in both Christianity and Islam has swayed more people in these areas then Darwinism ever had, and many freethinkers tend to believe the core of these problems lie in the supernaturalism and “scared” texts of which religion is built. But does there lay a deeper, more systemic reason for the sway of Creationism over Darwinism which scientific advocates fail to, or don’t wish to discuss when combating anti-evolution sentiments and activism? Indeed, can understanding one of the core reasons Charles Darwin himself sought out the science behind life’s’ diversity – especially with regards to human beings – shed some light on the vehemence aimed at evolutionary theory?
Tune in, Pay it Forward and Question Everything!
Previously on ETFF…
Special 2-Hour Fund Drive Program: Conspiracy!
For much of the last century, mainly Far Right groups or individuals engaged in conspiracy theorizing often to scapegoat other groups or individuals who were considered legitimate targets for the mainstream to blame their overall sociopolitical dilemmas of the time. European Jews conspiring against Germany and Christian Germans, according to the NAZI’s, is one famous example. The KKK and Neo-Nazis targeting blacks by trying to re-interpret the US Constitution is another.
Chip Berlet, senior analyst for the independent think tank Political Research Associates, has explained when talking about modern examples of this via the Tea Party Movement and Anti-Obama-isms in the United States, “Right-wing pundits demonize groups and individuals in our society, implying that it is urgent to stop them from wrecking the nation. Some angry people in the audience already believe conspiracy theories in which the same scapegoats are portrayed as subversive, destructive, or evil. Add in aggressive apocalyptic ideas that suggest time is running out and quick action mandatory and you have a perfect storm of mobilized resentment threatening to rain bigotry and violence across the United States.”
But what about Progressives, Liberals and others on the Left who have also engaged in what some have called Conspiracy Theories? Who are the people to be scapegoated in their case? Of course… the rich or powerful elites. But while the so-called elites thought up by the Far Right never existed as advertised, we do live in a society where the rich and powerful can be shown to indeed manipulate the masses through indoctrination via the public school system, the media, and other means of propaganda. So how can one separate fact from fiction as they exist with Left-leaning Conspiracy Theorizing?
For years on WBAI-NY, you’ve heard mainly one side of the story, while all others are often taken on these airwaves and among the Left in general, with great suspicion and seen as establishment apologetics.
Equal Time for Freethought’s mission advocates using critical thinking and scientific method to understand the world around us; and, moreover, trying to understand how such can help us implement progressive social change.
So in this light, we will look at the most recent, infamous conspiracy theorizing regarding 9/11 as well as the history of Right-Wing and Left-Wing Conspiracy theorizing via the History Channel special “The 9/11 Conspiracies: Fact or Fiction,” and a research document edited by progressive Chip Berlet called “Toxic to Democracy.”
Joining us on the phone will be skeptic and author Robert M. Price, and Kathyrn Olmsted, author of “Real Enemies: Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I to 9/11.”
Audio Can Be Found Here!
*Barry F. Seidman interviews Meco Monardo!
The artist who mastered the genre of” symphonic disco” goes by the name of Meco Monardo. “MECO” recorded over 15 albums, mostly from 1977 till 1985, as well as a host of singles some of which were not accompanied by full LPs. MECO did experiment from time to time with original work, but the musical canvas on which he arranged the many marriages of symphony music and disco included the wonderful music from films such as the Star Wars series, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, The Black Hole, Raiders of the Lost Ark, American Werewolf of London, The Wizard of Oz and of course, Star Trek.
MECO’s full name is Domenico Monardo. He was born in Pennsyvania. His father played the valve trombone in a small Italian band, and through him Meco got his first musical education. Meco wanted to play the drums, but his father convinced him that the trombone was the right instrument, and at nine that was the instrument which he was to stay with, however, for Meco the slide trombone was his choice. He joined the high school band while still attending grammar school. At 17 he won a scholarship to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, which provided him with a solid classical and jazz music education. There, together with his two friends Chuck Mangione and Ron Carter, he started the Eastman School of Music Jazz Band. Originally not inclined towards pop music, Meco’s heart changed when he heard Petula Clark’s “Downtown”.
He began doing arrangements, for example the horn section on Tommy James’ “Crystal Blue Persuasion.” In an interview with DiscoMusic.com Meco explains that he is probably the only person who has played a jazz trombone solo on any pop record the last 50 years. This happened on Diana Ross’ 1980 album Diana, on the song, “I’m Coming Out.” Around 1973 Meco, Tony Bongiovi and a third person formed the production company Disco Corporation of America, and from 1974 to 1976 Meco worked as a record producer. The team of Meco, Bongiovi, Jay Ellis and Harold Wheeler produced the 1974 Gloria Gaynor hit “Never Can Say Goodbye” and Carol Douglas’ “Doctor’s Orders.”
The Humanist Interviews…
Equal Time for Freethought’s exec. producer, Barry F. Seidman, had the honor of being the first person interviewed for blogger “Skepoet” for his new series on humanism. Skepoet’s blog, ‘At Crossroads of Critical Thinking and the Humanities,’ contains essays and links about Education, Environmentalism, Humanism, Philosophy, Politics, Science & Skepticism. The Seidman interview can be viewed here!
The ETFF Mission…
To explore and represent an evidence-based world view, thereby providing a forum for social change based on secular humanism, scientific naturalism, and healthy skepticism.
WBAI 99.5 FM Radio broadcasts Equal Time for Freethought each Sunday at 6:30 PM. Shows beginning at another time will be noted in the schedule.
Equal time is sorely needed! Just as WBAI stands in a proud tradition of progressive dissent from the mainstream corporate political system, this show stands in dissent from the mainstream society, which is dominated today by supernaturalism and religious or “faith-based” views. In fact, many of us believe that a vital part of achieving social progress will be freeing humanity from superstition and supernatural beliefs.
We also feel that being evidence-based implies our advocating for a proactive planetary humanism rather than merely articulating what we don’t profess to believe. This means that on Equal Time for Freethought, we explore what a humanist future society might look like via addressing not only secularism or atheism, but also naturalism, spirituality, society, politics, economics, and human potential.
Call in: (212) 209-2900
Pledges: (212) 209-2950
Email: ETFF2009@aol.com
Who is Equal Time for Freethought?
Executive Producer/Host: Barry F. Seidman
Barry F. Seidman worked as a humanist/freethought community leader and events coordinator for the Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry from 2000-2006. He has a BA in Video and Film Production from Rutgers University, and a MA in Science Journalism from New York University. He has been published in Free Inquiry, Philosophy Now, The Skeptic UK, The New Humanist, the Daily Record of New Jersey, Biotechnology News, Oncology.com, The Sciences, Skeptical Inquirer and EXIT. Barry contributed a chapter for the book anthology, “Opposing Viewpoints: Death and Dying,” and is coeditor of the anthology, “Toward a New Political Humanism.”
Associate Producer/Host: Arnell Dowret
Arnell Dowret is a writer, radio host, and activist in the humanist community. He is a contributing author to the book, Toward A New Political Humanism, and to the book, The Myth of Free Will. He developed “Secular Connections” an alternative experimental workshop originally offered by Center for Inquiry in New Jersey.
Hosts: Michael O’Neil & Sunsara Taylor
Michael O’Neil works as a website builder/IT, is a long time radio host, and an activist who has worked on behalf of The Church of Stop Shopping, the NY State Green Party, and others.
Sunsara Taylor is a writer for Revolution newspaper, a dynamic speaker, and a militant atheist. She co-founded The World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime which was recognized by The Nation Magazine for waging the “Most Valuable Crusade” of 2007 for their pioneering work to expose and demand prosecution and imprisonment of Bush Regime officials for torture and war crimes. Recently, she has toured campuses around the country speaking, debating and promoting Bob Avakian’s book, Away With All Gods! Unchaining the Mind and Radically Changing the World.
Guest Hosts: Paul Eckstein & Matthew Laclair
Paul Eckstein is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Bergen County Community College in Paramus, NJ.
Matthew LaClair is serving as the student President of the Center for Inquiry On Campus. He is currently a student at The New School in New York, NY. Matthew was first noticed by Freethought groups when as a high school student in Kearny, NJ, he challenged (along side the ACLU) a teacher who ignored the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by promoting Creationism (religion) and other personal religious beliefs in the classroom.
Researcher/Transcriber: Joel Schlosberg
Producer Emeritus: Sara Kaye