Human beings are alone in the world. Homo sapiens are the only remainders of genus homo. Our closest relatives are chimps and bonobos, but many of our closer relatives have been lost to time.
In his book, Last Ape Standing: The Seven-Million-Year Story of How and Why We Survived, science journalist and documentarian Chip Walter explores how we came to stand alone and what happened to our very distant cousins. From the publisher's description:
Drawing on a wide variety of scientific disciplines, Walter reveals how a rare evolutionary phenomenon led to the uniquely long childhoods that make us so resourceful and emotionally complex. He looks at why we developed a new kind of mind and how our highly social nature has shaped our moral (and immoral) behavior. And in exploring the traits that enabled our success, he plumbs the roots of our creativity and investigates why we became self-aware in ways that no other animal is. Along the way, Last Ape Standing profiles other human species who evolved with us and who have also shaped our kind in startling ways - the Neanderthals of Europe, the "Hobbits" of Indonesia, the Denisovans of Siberia, and the recently discovered Red Deer Cave people of China, who died off just as we stood at the brink of civilizations eleven thousand years ago.
Atheists Talk is produced with funding from the Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota. We also wish to thank Q. Cumbers restaurant for purchasing on-air advertising and for providing a great place to eat and gather. This radio program is put together by dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of listeners. If you are able to help with a donation please consider doing so at our Radio Fund page.
Dale McGowan is an accomplished writer and leader in the atheist community. Dale is perhaps best known for his book, Parenting Beyond Belief, the first resource of its kind for freethinkers raising children. He has also written Raising Freethinkers, Voices of Unbelief and two fictional novels, Calling Bernadette's Bluff and Good Thunder. He blogs about his life and family at The Meming of Life.
Dale's newest book, Atheism For Dummies, is now available from Wiley Publishing. From the publisher's website:
For people seeking a non-religious philosophy of life, as well as believers with atheist friends, Atheism For Dummies offers an intelligent exploration of the historical and moral case for atheism. Often wildly misunderstood, atheism is a secular approach to life based on the understanding that reality is an arrangement of physical matter, with no consideration of unverifiable spiritual forces.
Please join us this Sunday when we speak with Dale McGowan about parenting, his work in the secular communities, and of course, Atheism For Dummies.
Atheists Talk is produced with funding from the Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota. We also wish to thank Q. Cumbers restaurant for purchasing on-air advertising and for providing a great place to eat and gather. This radio program is put together by dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of listeners. If you are able to help with a donation please consider doing so at our Radio Fund page.
Listen to AM 950 KTNF on Sunday at 9 a.m. Central to hear Atheists Talk, produced by Minnesota Atheists. Stream live online. Call in to the studio: 952-946-6205, or send an e-mail to radio@mnatheists.orgduring the live show.
Author and skeptic Guy P. Harrison returns to Atheists Talk to discuss his forthcoming book, 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian. Continuing in the tradition of his previous "50 Things" books, this one is addressed at helping Christians and non-Christians explore each other's viewpoints. From the publisher's description:
This is a friendly and conversational inquiry about basic Christian beliefs from a sceptical viewpoint. Despite waning church attendance, Christianity continues to be one of the most influential forces in the world. As such, it's important that everyone gains some understanding of the basic Christian tenets and that Christians understand why non-Christians may react with skepticism to their worldview. This unique book poses fifty simple questions about Christianity that will hopefully foster mutual understanding between Christians and non-Christians. In a respectful style that is friendly and conversational, the author tries to shed light on Christian beliefs. Each question is followed by commentary and analysis that is skeptical and tough but never argumentative or condescending. Designed to promote constructive dialogue, "50 Simple Questions" will enlighten, educate, and inspire thoughtful reflection on topics that are central to history's most popular religion.
Please join us for what is sure to be an entertaining introduction to Harrison's new book.
Atheists Talk is produced with funding from the Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota. We also wish to thank Q. Cumbers restaurant for purchasing on-air advertising and for providing a great place to eat and gather. This radio program is put together by dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of listeners. If you are able to help with a donation please consider doing so at our Radio Fund page.
Dr. Cameron McPherson Smith has the "As" covered: Academic, Author, Archaeologist and Adventurerer - and now Atheists Talk radio show guest! An illustrious pedigree, if we do say so.
Dr. Smith has been all over the world looking for new places to explore, phenomenon to uncover, and stories to tell. Join us this Sunday when we speak with Dr. Smith about his book, The Fact of Evolution, in which he lays out in plain language what evolution is, how it works, and ultimately - in light of all evidence - why it is not up for debate.
Atheists Talk is produced with funding from the Minnesota Atheists and the Humanists of Minnesota. We also wish to thank Q. Cumbers restaurant for purchasing on-air advertising and for providing a great place to eat and gather. This radio program is put together by dedicated volunteers and the generous donations of listeners. If you are able to help with a donation please consider doing so at our Radio Fund page.
Listen to AM 950 KTNF on Sunday at 9 a.m. Central to hear Atheists Talk, produced by Minnesota Atheists. Stream live online. Call in to the studio: 952-946-6205, or send an e-mail to radio@mnatheists.orgduring the live show.
