Next on ETFF…
Sunday, September 5; 6:00 PM EST
One-Hour Special!
Towards a Healthy Society? w/ Dr. Bruce Levine & Cindy Milstein
What makes a healthy society?
Are we blank slates which can produce any sort of society we desire or do we ONLY create the kinds of societies our genetic and evolutionary heritage could allow; and if the latter is only partly true, what does our evolutionary heritage say about human nature anyway?
Are we the fallen’, seriously flawed species many religious and otherwise cynical people believe we are – whether via nature or as according to the doctrine of Original Sin – or are we a flexible species, free to build different kinds of societies.. some of which which might lead to a truly healthy society?
And what sort of society do we have now as regards health, and what may be some alternatives?
We’ve invited two special guests today to speak to these questions and to help us who want to see a humanistic future for us or our children find paths which will help us get there.
Tune in, Pay it Forward and Question Everything!
Previously on ETFF…
‘Nonsense on Stilts’ w/ Massimo Pigliucci
(from book description)
“Recent polls suggest that fewer than 40 per cent of Americans believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution, despite it being one of science’s best-established findings. More and more parents are refusing to vaccinate their children for fear it causes autism, though this link has been consistently disproved. And about 40 per cent of Americans believe that the threat of global warming is exaggerated, despite near consensus in the scientific community that manmade climate change is real.
“Why do people believe bunk? And what causes them to embrace such pseudoscientific beliefs and practices?
“Noted skeptic Massimo Pigliucci sets out to separate the fact from the fantasy in this entertaining exploration of the nature of science, the borderlands of fringe science, and – borrowing a famous phrase from philosopher Jeremy Bentham – the nonsense on stilts. Presenting case studies on a number of controversial topics, Pigliucci cuts through the ambiguity surrounding science to look more closely at how science is conducted, how it is disseminated, how it is interpreted, and what it means to our society. The result is in many ways a ‘taxonomy of bunk’ that explores the intersection of science and culture at large. No one – not the public intellectuals in the culture wars between defenders and detractors of science nor the believers of pseudoscience themselves – is spared Pigliucci’s incisive analysis.
In the end, “Nonsense on Stilts” is a timely reminder of the need to maintain a line between expertise and assumption. Broad in scope and implication, it is also ultimately a captivating guide for the intelligent citizen who wishes to make up her own mind while navigating the perilous debates that will affect the future of our planet.”
Massimo Pigliucci has Ph.D. in botany from the University of Connecticut, and a Ph.D. in philosophy of science from the University of Tennessee. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
Pigliucci writes regularly for Skeptical Inquirer on topics such as climate change denial. Has also written for Philosophy Now and maintains a blog called “Rationally Speaking.” He has debated “deniers of evolution” (young-earth creationists and intelligent design proponents), including young earth creationists Duane Gish and Kent Hovind and intelligent design proponents William Dembski and Jonathan Wells, on many occasions.
Pigliucci serves on the board of NYC Skeptics and on the advisory board of the Secular Coalition for America. He also co-hosts its official podcast: Rationally Speaking, with Julia Galef.
Please Find Audio 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
Founder: Dorothy “Sara K” Klein