

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

Aug 12, 2024 • 29min
Metals & Life: A Finely Tuned Alliance
Dr. Eric Hedin, a professor emeritus of physics and astronomy, explores the vital connection between metals and life. He shares how metals formed through cosmic events and their impact on human civilization. Bacteria play a surprising role, detoxifying harmful metals and enhancing technology. Hedin also reveals a newly discovered 'Goldilocks zone' in Earth's crust, essential for metal accessibility. The discussion culminates in the essential functions of trace metals in our cells, arguing that their complex integration suggests purposeful design.

Aug 9, 2024 • 17min
The Gollum Effect: When Guarding Research Impedes Progress
In this engaging conversation, historian and philosopher of science Michael Keas analyzes how academic gatekeeping stifles research innovation. He likens the possessive nature of some researchers to Gollum from Tolkien, detailing how this behavior leads to bullying and hampers scientific progress. Keas shares historical insights, including the dynamics between Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler. He also addresses the unique hurdles faced by advocates of intelligent design, emphasizing the pressing need for collaboration and open dialogue in academia.

Aug 7, 2024 • 31min
Richard Weikart Reads From His New Book Unnatural Death
Dr. Richard Weikart, Emeritus Professor of History and Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute, discusses his new book, *Unnatural Death*. He delves into the historical evolution of euthanasia and assisted suicide, underscoring the ethical dilemmas these practices pose. Key themes include the influence of Darwinism on eugenics ideology and the changing societal views on life's sanctity. Weikart also shares a poignant story of resilience, highlighting the value of support over assisted suicide, while critiquing the medical shift from healing to killing.

Aug 5, 2024 • 35min
Richard Weikart: Medicine’s Descent From Healing to Killing
Richard Weikart, a historian known for his research on euthanasia and assisted suicide, delves into the historical evolution of these practices from Ancient Greece to modern ethics. He discusses the impact of secular philosophies on society's view of life and how Darwinian ideas influenced early euthanasia movements. Weikart explores the troubling connections between eugenics and the Nazi regime, while emphasizing the need for personal relationships to uphold the value of human life, particularly for those facing loneliness or hardship.

6 snips
Aug 2, 2024 • 16min
Three Types of Science, pt. 3: Fantasy Science
Kirk Durston, a biophysicist, explores the intriguing world of science classification. He delves into the distinctions between experimental, inferential, and fantasy science. Durston critiques concepts like the multiverse, illustrating how they blur the lines between proven science and creative storytelling. He highlights the limitations of scientism in understanding life's origins and emphasizes the significant role of protein research in drug manufacturing, showcasing the need for rigorous evidence analysis.

Jul 31, 2024 • 43min
Finding Beauty and Harmony in the Sciences
Dr. Melissa Cain Travis, a philosopher exploring science and beauty, joins Dr. Ken Boa, an author and educator on faith and reason. They dive into the complex interplay between scientific materialism and the human quest for meaning, drawing on insights from C.S. Lewis and Johannes Kepler. The discussion touches on how the arts and storytelling shape our understanding of the cosmos. They also explore dialogical apologetics and the longing for significance in a material world, ultimately highlighting the beauty and harmony between faith and science.

Jul 29, 2024 • 28min
Astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez Reads His Solar Eclipse Poem “Totality”
Guillermo Gonzalez, an accomplished astrophysicist known for his work on intelligent design and the book 'The Privileged Planet,' joins the conversation to share his poetic side. He reads his poem 'Totality,' inspired by the awe of the recent solar eclipse, highlighting the emotional and environmental shifts during these celestial events. They discuss the unique alignments that create total solar eclipses and their significance for complex life on Earth. The dialogue beautifully intertwines science, art, and the wonder of the universe.

Jul 26, 2024 • 20min
Three Types of Science, pt. 2: Inferential Science
In this discussion, biophysicist and philosopher Kirk Durston delves into the nuances of inferential science, particularly in historical contexts. He highlights abductive reasoning as a tool for drawing conclusions from observations. Durston argues that significant biological information arises from intelligent sources, contrasting it with untestable claims in science fiction. The conversation also touches on the challenges of ambiguous terminology in evolutionary biology and the importance of critical evaluation in scientific claims.

Jul 24, 2024 • 19min
Can AI Help Us Assess Neo-Darwinism?
Scientists Olen Brown and David Hullender discuss using AI to evaluate Darwinian evolution's flaws. They explore AI's potential in assessing and solving issues with naturalistic origins. The conversation delves into the integration of physics and biology, skepticism of evolution, and AI's role in objective evaluation.

Jul 22, 2024 • 26min
Can Darwinian Evolution Be Rescued From Dogma?
If there's anything left to salvage from the Neo-Darwinian theory of life's origins, it must first be rescued from dogma. On this episode of ID The Future, host Casey Luskin begins a conversation with two distinguished PhD scientists who are asking tough questions of Neo-Darwinism: Olen Brown, Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Missouri, and David Hullender, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas, Arlington. Luskin unpacks three recent scientific papers written by Brown and Hullender warning that Neo-Darwinism must be updated if it has any hope of surviving as a theory. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.
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