Next on ETFF…

Sunday, July 5; 6:00pm EST

One-Hour Special!

“Social Science Under Fire”

Is Social Science bunk?

Were Stanley Milgram’s “Obedience Experiments,” and Philip Zimbardo’s “Stanford Prison Experiments,” unscientific and immoral?

Is Social Science even science?

Join us as ETFF focuses in on questions such as these with three extraordinary guests for this one hour special presentation!

Challenging the value and accuracy of the social scientific enterprise will be Dr. Barbara Oakley, author of “Evil Genes: Why Rome Fell, Hitler Rose, Enron Failed, and My Sister Stole My Mother’s Boyfriend.” Dr. Oakley has been doing interviews (including for the Center For Inquiry’s podcast, ‘Point of Inquiry’), attacking social science and some of its seminal studies.

Standing up for social science in general will be Dean of Social Sciences and University Professor of the Social Sciences at New York University, Dr. Dalton Conley.  And back with us for a second time to address criticisms regarding his Stanford Prison Experiment will be Social Science legend, Dr. Phillip Zimbardo.

So be sure to join us this Sunday at 6PM EST; don’t miss a unique discussion that you will definitely not find anywhere else!

Tune in, Pay it Forward and Question Everything!

Previously on ETFF…

“Humanism and Marriage: The ETFF Pride Weekend Edition”

It’s Pride weekend and Sunday’s show will air mere hours after NYC’s world famous Pride Parade, celebrating the rights and accomplishments of the GLBT Community.

For years the issue of same-sex marriage has electrified the political landscape. But is marriage a religious institution? And if so, should the government be granting privileges to *any* couples? Or does marriage benefit civic society, and is it wrong to let religious objections keep certain couples from participating?

Also, is marriage a humanist institution?

Join your host Michael O’Neil as we review this issue and take your calls on Equal Time For Freethought!

 

 Humanism and Marriage [30:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 MECO [44:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

*Barry F. Seidman interviews Meco Monardo!

(Audio Above)

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: Bfs1227@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