Royal Institution Christmas Lectures - Season 26 / Year 1991

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures - Season 26 / Year 1991

Season 26 / Year 1991

Network
Datesdéc. 27, 1991 - déc. 31, 1991
Previous SeasonNext Season

Episodes

Growing Up in the Universe: Waking Up in the Universe
Year 1991Episode 160 min

Growing Up in the Universe: Waking Up in the Universe

Dawkins discusses the amazing capabilities of the human body and contrasts these with the limited capabilities of computers and other man-made machines. He uses a small totem pole (which is used in ancestor worship) to illustrate the importance of studying our ancestors to understand how we've evolved.
déc. 27, 1991
Growing Up in the Universe: Designed and Designoid Objects
Year 1991Episode 260 min

Growing Up in the Universe: Designed and Designoid Objects

Dawkins' second lecture of the series examines the problem of design. He presents the audience with a number of simple objects, such as rocks and crystals, and notes that these objects have been formed by simple laws of physics and are therefore not designed. He then examines some designed objects - including a microscope, an electronic calculator, a pocket watch, and a clay pot - and notes that none of these objects could have possibly come about by sheer luck.
déc. 28, 1991
Growing Up in the Universe: Climbing Mount Improbable
Year 1991Episode 360 min

Growing Up in the Universe: Climbing Mount Improbable

Dawkins starts the lecture coming in with a stick insect on his hand. He describes with how much details such a being imitates its environment, its almost like a key that fits a lock. He then shows another insect, namely a Leaf Insect, which basically looks exactly like a dead leaf.
déc. 29, 1991
Growing Up in the Universe: The Ultraviolet Garden
Year 1991Episode 460 min

Growing Up in the Universe: The Ultraviolet Garden

Dawkins begins by relating the story of asking a little girl "what she thought flowers were 'for'." Her response is anthropocentric, that flowers are there for our benefit. Dawkins points out that many people throughout history have thought that the natural world existed for our benefit, with examples from Genesis and other literature.
déc. 30, 1991
Growing Up in the Universe: The Genesis of Purpose
Year 1991Episode 560 min

Growing Up in the Universe: The Genesis of Purpose

Dawkins opens by talking how organisms “grow up” to understand the universe around them, which requires certain apparatus, such as a brain. But before brains can become large enough to model the universe they must develop from intermediate forms.
déc. 31, 1991

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
90 Day Fiancé UK
Running

90 Day Fiancé UK

Follow eight loved-up Brits and their long-distance lovers for 90 days to see if they commit or call the whole thing off! For these real life couples the stakes could not be higher - so much could go wrong, and so much could go right.

GenreRomance
Press Your Luck
Running

Press Your Luck

A game of wits, strategy and high stakes as contestants try to avoid the iconic WHAMMY for a chance at life-changing cash and prizes.

In the Eye of the Storm
Running

In the Eye of the Storm

In the Eye of the Storm Megastorms like 2021's Hurricane Ida and the 2023 Maui Wildfires were captured by onlookers who found themselves in the wrong place at the right time and boldly held up their camera phones to document their experiences. 

Irish Blood
Upcoming

Irish Blood

Irish Blood focuses on Fiona, whose path in life is earmarked by her father, Declan, who seemingly abandoned her and her mother on her tenth birthday. After years of channelling anger toward him, to the benefit of her litigious clients, a message from her father sends her to Ireland. There she learns key truths about her father as well as a family that doesn't know she exists, and, moreover, that the story of abandonment that has shaped her entire life - was a lie. A lie intended to protect her and her mother from her father's shady business dealings. Fiona resolves to uncover the full truth about her father and reconnect with the parent she only thought she knew. 

Mean Girl Murders
Running

Mean Girl Murders

Mean Girl Murders explores the inner workings of cutthroat cliques, vicious backbiting and cruel intentions.

GenreCrime