When I listened to Daniel Dennett give this presentation live, I remember thinking that I wanted to take a handful of his comments and statistics, and put them to music. And while that might still have worked, when I listen to my recording of that speech now, I think it needs to be a bit longer than that, because there is a message there.
The way I figure it, when he says “in our lifetime”, we could estimate that to be about another 25 years or so. Now imagine hearing this same prediction 25 years ago, in 1988.
By the way, when I entered the hotel restaurant in Kamloops, I saw Dennett sitting with Peter Boghossian, Victor Stenger, and Bill Ligertwood, host of the convention. Dennet rose as I approached and held out his hand. “Dan Dennett” he said, as if I might not know who he was. As I shook his hand, I said, “We’ve met before, at the Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne”. He looked at me quizzically and said, “I don’t remember you”.
(sigh)
Sigh indeed. I hope his memory is not beginning to fail. Your appearance is memorable, to say the least.
No one is harder on the Catholic Church than former members of it. Case in point…
I love that quote.
Don’t forget that Dr. Dennett has a notoriously wicked and sometimes subtle sense of humor. Methinks he were pulling your leg or maybe even both of them.
Full presentation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbTo8oY0l7s
25 years ago, the suggestion that homosexuality would be generally accepted, to the point where otherwise closeted athletes, news anchors, and politicians can live and work openly, would have seemed absurd. Tipping points are funny like that. Whenever they happen, there’s always someone saying “I never thought I’d see the day when…” If Dennate’s figures are true, it might mean that we are on the verge of a similar tipping point. I guess we’ll just have to keep doing what we’re doing while we wait and see.
“He looked at me quizzically and said, “I don’t remember you”.
Who does he think he is, Tony Stark?
Greetings,
Aron, what you should have said when he introduced himself was:
Prof Dennett: “Dan Dennett”
You: “No – AronRa”.
Next time…!
Kindest regards,
James
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