The Poetry of Reality is hosted by world renowned truth-teller, evolutionary biologist and best-selling author, Professor Richard Dawkins. He has been celebrated globally for his honest critique of religion and tradition and his push for critical thinking. His books include The Ancestor’s Tale, The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, Unweaving the Rainbow, A Devil’s Chaplain, The God Delusion, The Greatest Show on Earth, The Magic of Reality, his two-part autobiography An Appetite for Wonder and A Brief Candle in the Dark, and Outgrowing God: A Beginner’s Guide. Dawkins has long been known for his uncompromising passion for science, calling out for the pressing need in modern societies for scientific literacy and rational thinking, especially in the education of young minds. His relentless pursuit of truth, and his recognition of the beauty of life on earth, will feature in this podcast, as he charts his way through scientific and existential inquiries like ‘What are we doing here?’ and ‘When did life begin?’
In this episode of The Poetry of Reality, Richard Dawkins joins Alex O’Connor for a breakdown of his latest book, The Genetic Book of the Dead. They also reflect on new atheism and the meaning vacuum, Richard’s debate with Jordan Peterson, and the concept of God followed by audience questions.
This episode was filmed at New Theatre, Oxford, on the 21st of Oct 2024, as part of Richard Dawkins’ tour.
Alex O’Connor is a YouTuber, writer, and public speaker, best known as the host of the Within Reason podcast, with over one million subscribers on YouTube. He has appeared on television programs such as Piers Morgan Uncensored, BBC Sunday Morning Live, and Channel 4 News. O’Connor has debated and discussed topics including the philosophy of religion, free speech, monarchy abolitionism, and skepticism with notable figures such as Richard Dawkins, Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Slavoj Žižek.