Science and Discovery
Here we treat both the history of science, plus new discoveries in the sciences, both natural and social.
Einstein for the Masses
Prof. Ramamurti Shankar, J.R. Huffman Professor of Physics & Applied Physics at Yale, gives an introduction to Einstein's Theory for a lay audience. The only preparation needed is an open mind. One hour Video Lecture
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Cosmos: A Personal Voyage
This is the famous thirteen-part television series written by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, and Steven Soter, with Sagan as presenter. Each segment is about one hour. Magnificent, from beginning to end.
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Quantum Mechanics and Dialectical Materialism
An introductory article on Marxism, materialism and particle physics by Pete Mason of the Socialist Party in England and Wales
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Darwin's Legacy: Natural Selection's Wider Impact
Seven video lectures, each about 2 hours long, on the incredible ongoing influence of Darwin's revolutionary ideas. By William Durham of Stanford University
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The Fuller World: Bucky in Three Parts
Three 30-minute videos of the revolutionary ecological thinking and design science of Buckminster Fuller
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Evolution, Ecology and Behavior
Steven Stearns of Yale University presents the principles of evolution, ecology, and behavior for students beginning their study of biology and of the environment. 36 lvideo lecture, about 45 minutes each.
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Science, Magic and Religion
18 lectures on science and religion as historical phenomena that have evolved over time. Examines the earlier mind-set before 1700 when into science fitted elements that came eventually to be seen as magical. The course also question how Western cosmologies became "disenchanted." Magical tradition transformed into modern mysticisms is also examined as well as the political implications of these movements. Includes discussion concerning science in totalitarian settings as well as "big science" during the Cold War.
By Countenay Raia at UCLA
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Through the Wormhole. All 18 episodes from
Through the Wormhole series gathered in one place. Hosted by Morgan Freeman,
Through the Wormhole will explore the deepest mysteries of existence – the questions that have puzzled mankind for eternity. What are we made of? What was there before the beginning? Are we really alone? Is there a creator? These questions have been pondered by the most exquisite minds of the human race. Now, science has evolved to the point where hard facts and evidence may be able to provide us with answers instead of philosophical theories.
Through the Wormhole will bring together the brightest minds and best ideas from the very edges of science – Astrophysics, Astrobiology, Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and more – to reveal the extraordinary truth of our Universe.
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Einstein, the FBI, and the Scientist's Support for the Battle vs. Racism. Fred Jerome talked about his book
The Einstein File: J. Edgar Hoover’s Secret War Against the World’s Most Famous Scientist, published by Martin’s Press. In this book he details the activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in spying on Albert Einstein and his associates. He also details the pacifist and socialist politics of Albert Einstein and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement which provoked J. Edgar Hoover into leading an F.B.I. campaign to link the Nobel Prize-winning physicist to Soviet espionage activities and discredit his reputation. Mr. Jerome and Ms. Simmons read passages from the book, focusing on racial conflict. Then Mr. Jerome answered questions from members of the audience.
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Foucault and the Philosophy of Science From a paper on the topic by Linda Martin Alcoff: "Like all of the highly original philosophers, Foucault’s work poses significant challenges of interpretation and assessment. How are we to take his occasional generalizations when he so often counsels us to analyze only locally and particularly? How can we understand his views on reference, or realism, or an assortment of other contemporary philosophical concerns, when he refuses to address these issues." directly?
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How Large Is The Universe?
The mind-blowing answer comes from a theory describing the birth of the universe in the first instant of time. The universe has long captivated us with its immense scales of distance and time. How far does it stretch? Where does it end... and what lies beyond its star fields... and streams of galaxies extending as far as telescopes can see? These questions are beginning to yield to a series of extraordinary new lines of investigation... and technologies that are letting us to peer into the most distant realms of the cosmos...20 Minute Video
Everyone is talking about the Higgs Boson, but what is it? Here's a two-minute 'instant egghead' video introduction from Scientic American on the topic. 
