The OU/BBC production of Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life, which was presented by Sir David Attenborough, pulled in an audience of six million when it aired on BBC 1 on 1 February.
Attracting one in four viewers, the programme signalled the beginning of a whole season on Darwin. In this short video, Platform speaks to Dr Janet Sumner, of the Open Broadcast unit, about taking learning beyond watching TV and what's coming next...
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Comments (2)
Submitted by marketingIsNoSu... on Friday 06 March 2009 - 15:54.
Attenborough seems to hypothesise that the evidence in favour of evolution serves to demonstrate that man is not here to rule over other species. But evolution confirms with more strength than any religious text (which on the contrary usually advises restraint and humility) that every organism is here in its own genetic interest. If a species has not yet dominated over those which share less genetic material than itself, it is only because it has failed at trying.
Of course, there is no requirement that philosophy mould itself to nature. We are thus not required to follow the mantra of survival of the fittest just because beings of lesser intelligence have no choice otherwise.
Submitted by magicflute on Friday 13 March 2009 - 18:33.
Today I've been to Down House, near Orpington in Kent. I managed to get in by getting there really early as it has been so busy. Last week it was impossible to get in the car park or park in nearby villages etc due to the number of people visiting since the TV programmes on Darwin. It is wonderful to see the study where Darwin worked and walk through the grounds and along the Sandwalk etc. Well worth a visit to this English Heritage property if you're inspired. Looking forward to the series "Life" in the autumn, now.