

Intelligent Design the Future
Discovery Institute
The ID The Future (IDTF) podcast carries on Discovery Institute's mission of exploring the issues central to evolution and intelligent design. IDTF is a short podcast providing you with the most current news and views on evolution and ID. IDTF delivers brief interviews with key scientists and scholars developing the theory of ID, as well as insightful commentary from Discovery Institute senior fellows and staff on the scientific, educational and legal aspects of the debate. Episode notes and archives available at idthefuture.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 27, 2024 • 20min
Jonathan Wells Discusses His Classic Book Icons of Evolution
We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. Jonathan Wells, a true giant of the intelligent design research community. As we mourn his passing, we are also celebrating anew his considerable contributions to the argument for intelligent design and the debate over evolution. On this episode of ID the Future out of the vault, Dr. Wells begins a conversation on The Universe Next Door with Tom Woodward to talk about his popular book Icons of Evolution. This is Part 1 of a two-part interview.
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Sep 25, 2024 • 37min
Physician Howard Glicksman on Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Dr. Howard Glicksman, a hospice physician, dives into the complex world of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, challenging the misconceptions surrounding compassion. He distinguishes between hospice and palliative care, emphasizing the importance of comfort for terminal patients. Glicksman shares personal experiences that highlight the ethical dilemmas and emotional challenges faced by caregivers and families at end-of-life. The discussion also focuses on the sanctity of life and human dignity, urging a shift towards supportive alternatives in healthcare.

Sep 23, 2024 • 29min
Guillermo Gonzalez on His Love For Astronomy
On this episode, we’re pleased to share a recent conversation between astronomer Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez and author and teacher Dr. Ken Boa on the Explorers Podcast. The topic is Dr. Gonzalez’s passion for astronomy and the wonders of the cosmos. Dr. Gonzalez explains how he developed a passion for astronomy at an early age and how it fueled his career. He also discusses his book The Privileged Planet and his recent young adult novel The Farm at the Center of the Universe.
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Sep 20, 2024 • 12min
Lee Spetner Critiques Convergent Evolution
Dr. Lee Spetner, a renowned MIT-trained physicist, dives deep into the complexities of evolution. He critiques the widely accepted notion of convergent evolution, arguing it cannot adequately explain similar traits in unrelated organisms, such as echolocation. Spetner introduces his non-random evolutionary hypothesis, suggesting that environmental factors guide mutations. He also examines the limitations of random mutations and explores transposable elements as key players in adaptive changes, challenging both Darwinian principles and theistic evolution.

Sep 18, 2024 • 33min
Stephen Meyer & Ben Shapiro Discuss the Origin of Information
Stephen C. Meyer, a philosopher of science renowned for his insights on the origin of information, joins Ben Shapiro, a prominent political commentator. They delve into the perplexing origin of life, challenging the RNA world hypothesis and discussing the necessity of intelligent design. The duo critiques neo-Darwinism, advocating for a fresh approach in evolutionary biology. They also explore the philosophical implications of fine-tuning and the limits of multiverse theory, pondering the role of intelligence in life's origins.

Sep 16, 2024 • 31min
Stephen Meyer and Ben Shapiro Talk Intelligent Design
On this ID The Future, we bring you the first half of Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro’s 2019 interview with philosopher of science Dr. Stephen Meyer on The Ben Shapiro Sunday Special. This exchange happened five years ago now, and we thought it was a good time to put it out there again for those who may not have heard it yet or don’t remember it. Dr. Meyer considers this one of the best interviews he’s done on the subject of his second solo book Darwin’s Doubt. Shapiro was very well-prepared and asked great questions, resulting in a thought-provoking and thoroughly engaging hour-long conversation. We’ve got the first half of it for you today, followed by the concluding half in Read More ›
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Sep 13, 2024 • 14min
Lee Spetner Takes Aim at Natural Selection and Population Genetics
On this episode of ID the Future from the vault, we bring you the second of three short interviews with MIT-trained physicist Dr. Lee Spetner. We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. Spetner at 91 years old, and we’re sharing these conversations in tribute to his significant contributions to the evolution debate. Host Ira Berkowitz interviews Dr. Spetner in Jerusalem. Together they explore key arguments from Spetner’s books Not by Chance and The Evolution Revolution. Here, Spetner takes on natural selection, discussing what it can and cannot do. He also explores aspects of population genetics and the constraints the Earth’s history imposes on evolving new species. This is Part 2 of a three-part interview. Listen to Read More ›
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Sep 11, 2024 • 34min
Twilight Science: Forrest Mims Unlocks the Secrets of the Atmosphere
Many of us have enjoyed a colorful twilight or a stunning sunset. But how often do we think about the science behind these memorable conditions? Forrest Mims has been measuring the Earth's atmosphere for more than 30 years. On this episode of ID The Future, Mims shares with us some of the secrets he's learned from his long-term research. Mims has forged a distinguished scientific career despite having no academic training in science. He is an instrument designer, science writer, and independent science consultant. Mims has published over 60 books, including his latest: Maverick Scientist: My Adventures as an Amateur Scientist.
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Sep 9, 2024 • 29min
No Place Like Home: A Reading From The Privileged Planet
On this episode of ID The Future, host Andrew McDiarmid reads an exclusive excerpt from the newly revised, rewritten, and updated twentieth anniversary edition of The Privileged Planet. In 2004, astronomer Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez and author Dr. Jay Richards issued a daring hypothesis: that a pattern exists between the requirements for advanced life in the universe and the requirements for fruitful scientific discovery. They argued that this pattern was more conspiracy than coincidence. Now, twenty years later, a new edition of The Privileged Planet brings fresh analysis, new supporting evidence, and a completely revised text. In this episode, McDiarmid reads the Foreword to the 2024 Edition and the Introduction to the book.
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Sep 6, 2024 • 12min
Lee Spetner Takes Aim at Darwin, Malthus and Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
On this episode of ID the Future from the vault, we bring you the first of three short interviews with MIT-trained physicist Dr. Lee Spetner. We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. Spetner at 91 years old, and we're sharing these conversations in tribute to his significant contributions to the evolution debate. Host Ira Berkowitz interviews Dr. Spetner in Jerusalem. Together they explore key arguments from Spetner’s books Not by Chance and The Evolution Revolution.
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