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Kelwalin Dhanasarnsombut

PhD student in Immunology, University of Edinburgh

TEDCRED 100+
TED TranslatorAssociateLanguage Coordinator

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Celebrity scientists

From Richard Dawkin to Brian Cox, from Sean Carroll to E. O. Willson, they have gave their talks here at TED, been on media, inspired and raised much of debates.

Who is your favorite scientist? Who haven't yet been on TED and should be invited to be on TED? and why? What is your opinion on 'Sci-celebrities'? Are they good model for kids, good educator, inspiring icon, or they are over-rated?

Topics: education mass media science
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    edward long 100+

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    Jan 30 2013: I would like to see some non-Atheist, non-Darwinian scientists talk. And yes, there are such people on this earth, but none of them are celebrities. Here are the names of some: Paul Davies, Michael Behe, Russell Stannard, Gary Schwartz, Gerald Schroeder, Ernst-Michael Kranich, etc.
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      Kelwalin Dhanasarnsombut 100+

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      TED TranslatorAssociateLanguage Coordinator
      Jan 30 2013: Good idea! Thanks for your list. It would be great too if you will share the link for their published articles or video clips :)
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        edward long 100+

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        Jan 30 2013: Science-minded folks who are interested will prefer to do the research themselves, after all, it is part of the Scientific Method.
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      Krisztián Pintér 200+

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      Jan 30 2013: behe on ted ... hope not
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        edward long 100+

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        Jan 30 2013: The OP asks, "Who should be invited?". . . not who shouldn't. You only want talks by people with whom you agree? Boring.
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          Krisztián Pintér 200+

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          Jan 30 2013: a crackpot is a crackpot.

        • Geoffrey Jenkins

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          Feb 2 2013: I'm certainly in favor of hearing perspectives that aren't mine, but I want to hear them from people who are neither ignorant nor intellectually dishonest. I'm not sure whether Behe is a fool or a liar (or both), but he doesn't belong on a website like TED.
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        edward long 100+

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        Jan 30 2013: Have you read his works?
        "For readers who have been persuaded that biologists have long since demonstrated the validity of Darwinian theory, Behe's observations are apt to be a source of astonishment." --David Berlinski
        Behe's work is characterized by James Shapiro as: "A valuable critique of an all-too-often unchallenged orthodoxy."
        He is qualified-contrary to your unsubstantiated charge- to give a challenging, boat-rocking talk on TED.
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        edward long 100+

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        Jan 30 2013: According to you Biochemistry Professor Michael Behe of Lehigh University, noted educator, successful author, and challenging speaker is a liar and a crackpot. Do you expect to be taken at your word?
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        edward long 100+

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        Jan 30 2013: Have you confused Dr. Michael Behe with Sgt. Mike Behenna?
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          Krisztián Pintér 200+

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          TED Translator
          Jan 30 2013: no. mr behe travels around the land broadcasting his "theory" about irreducible complexity, which was refuted numerous times. he just does not care. he continues to fool people with that.
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      peter germane

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      Feb 16 2013: I have heard, but not verified, that among top scientists roughly 15% are believers (in one god or another), the inverse of society as a whole. I would like to hear some of them talk, have a dialogue, about their religious beliefs and clearly lay out why they believe in their god, not just a generic god, but a specific god , the god of the catholic, the Jew, the Muslim, the Southern Baptist... I think it will become apparent to most objective viewers that even smart people often can't rise above cultural indoctrination - that for the most most part a person is Muslim or Baptist, not because of some inherent logic to that religion or denomination, but simply because a person was raised with those beliefs. The time and place of your birth matters....
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        edward long 100+

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        Feb 16 2013: I do not share your interest in having TED Talks focusing on the doctrinal specifics of various religious scientists (other than Atheists). What I would like to see is more talks by scientists who offer explanations of our Universe from a perspective rigidly consistent with the Scientific Method, even, and especially, when those explanations are at variance with orthodoxy. There is more to life than the theories of Evolution and the Big Bang. Long live disciplined, cautious, sensible open-mindedness! Stop the prejudice!

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