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1 00:00:07,400 00:00:09,320 We are all going to die. We are all going to die.
2 00:00:09,848 00:00:13,110 We just don't know how, or when. We just don't know how, or when.
3 00:00:14,038 00:00:18,320 Easily snuffed out in an instant, what is life's meaning? Easily snuffed out in an instant, what is life's meaning?
4 00:00:19,729 00:00:21,128 Oh, man! Oh, man!
5 00:00:21,129 00:00:22,399 I see it, I see it. I see it, I see it.
6 00:00:22,400 00:00:25,559 We're gonna get closer, we're gonna get closer. We're gonna get closer, we're gonna get closer.
7 00:00:25,679 00:00:30,100 Over 1,000 tornadoes rip through the United States every year. Over 1,000 tornadoes rip through the United States every year.
8 00:00:30,344 00:00:34,405 Most do little damage. This one was different. Most do little damage. This one was different.
9 00:00:34,840 00:00:36,199 There it is. There it is.
10 00:00:36,200 00:00:37,717 Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!
11 00:00:38,355 00:00:40,727 It's going to go down that road right there. It's going to go down that road right there.
12 00:00:41,250 00:00:44,910 Oh, gosh, that is a monster tornado! Oh, gosh, that is a monster tornado!
13 00:00:52,643 00:00:55,333 Right up there on the back wall, that was the sanctuary, Right up there on the back wall, that was the sanctuary,
14 00:00:55,341 00:00:57,239 and that's where the altar was. and that's where the altar was.
15 00:00:57,484 00:01:01,050 Behind that... was the house that I was in, Behind that... was the house that I was in,
16 00:01:01,170 00:01:02,790 just real close to it. just real close to it.
17 00:01:05,726 00:01:09,120 The tornado destroyed the city of Joplin, Missouri The tornado destroyed the city of Joplin, Missouri
18 00:01:09,429 00:01:12,390 and killed 162 people. and killed 162 people.
19 00:01:14,351 00:01:16,640 That was Green Briar Nursing Home, That was Green Briar Nursing Home,
20 00:01:16,760 00:01:19,286 and there were five people died in there. and there were five people died in there.
21 00:01:19,293 00:01:21,488 It's a terrible, terrible sight. It's an awful sight. It's a terrible, terrible sight. It's an awful sight.
22 00:01:22,626 00:01:24,165 In the face of catastrophe, In the face of catastrophe,
23 00:01:24,775 00:01:28,866 this Catholic priest finds comfort in his religious faith. this Catholic priest finds comfort in his religious faith.
24 00:01:29,920 00:01:32,759 I have to believe there's a plan I have to believe there's a plan
25 00:01:32,879 00:01:35,824 and that God is going to accomplish something through this. and that God is going to accomplish something through this.
26 00:01:36,251 00:01:39,880 I feel like God is doing something for us. I feel like God is doing something for us.
27 00:01:40,167 00:01:42,552 I think we have to see somewhere a higher power. I think we have to see somewhere a higher power.
28 00:01:44,045 00:01:47,184 Father Monaghan's faith must have been tested to the limit Father Monaghan's faith must have been tested to the limit
29 00:01:47,240 00:01:49,439 by this terrible experience. by this terrible experience.
30 00:01:49,731 00:01:54,410 For those of us who don't believe in any kind of Gods, how do we cope? For those of us who don't believe in any kind of Gods, how do we cope?
31 00:02:01,160 00:02:04,798 More and more people now realise there is no God. More and more people now realise there is no God.
32 00:02:06,640 00:02:11,000 Yet religious values have dominated our lives for hundreds of years Yet religious values have dominated our lives for hundreds of years
33 00:02:11,120 00:02:12,956 and still have a hold over us. and still have a hold over us.
34 00:02:14,376 00:02:18,467 In this series I'm exploring what reason and science can offer us In this series I'm exploring what reason and science can offer us
35 00:02:18,482 00:02:20,560 in the place of religion in the place of religion
36 00:02:20,680 00:02:23,270 to bring comfort in the face of death, to bring comfort in the face of death,
37 00:02:23,937 00:02:26,794 help us tell right from wrong, help us tell right from wrong,
38 00:02:27,968 00:02:31,950 or provide meaning in an indifferent and uncaring universe. or provide meaning in an indifferent and uncaring universe.
39 00:02:34,960 00:02:38,437 So do you think that we in the west are too materialistic? So do you think that we in the west are too materialistic?
40 00:02:38,557 00:02:39,479 I think so. I think so.
41 00:02:39,684 00:02:42,320 I suppose Jesus is an unpaid babysitter. I suppose Jesus is an unpaid babysitter.
42 00:02:42,440 00:02:44,640 It's like, if I'm not watching you, Jesus is. It's like, if I'm not watching you, Jesus is.
43 00:02:45,101 00:02:48,228 Do you think mothers are ever going to meet their babies again? Do you think mothers are ever going to meet their babies again?
44 00:02:48,229 00:02:49,020 Yes. Yes.
45 00:02:49,164 00:02:51,505 The mothers believe it, and the fathers. The mothers believe it, and the fathers.
46 00:02:57,280 00:03:01,280 If there is no God, what is the meaning of life? If there is no God, what is the meaning of life?
47 00:03:03,467 00:03:06,872 Some of the greatest minds in history have battled depression Some of the greatest minds in history have battled depression
48 00:03:06,888 00:03:09,990 and even toyed with suicide, struggling to answer and even toyed with suicide, struggling to answer
49 00:03:10,160 00:03:13,042 the ultimate question that we all face - the ultimate question that we all face -
50 00:03:13,293 00:03:14,870 what's the point? what's the point?
51 00:03:16,539 00:03:20,160 For many, there is no point if there is no God. For many, there is no point if there is no God.
52 00:03:21,250 00:03:24,399 One of the questions I'm most often asked after giving a lecture One of the questions I'm most often asked after giving a lecture
53 00:03:24,400 00:03:27,863 is, "Why do you bother to get up in the mornings?" is, "Why do you bother to get up in the mornings?"
54 00:03:28,061 00:03:31,560 This film is my attempt to answer that question. This film is my attempt to answer that question.
55 00:03:53,621 00:03:55,153 Like most English children, Like most English children,
56 00:03:55,273 00:03:57,199 I was sent to Christian schools I was sent to Christian schools
57 00:03:57,319 00:04:00,919 and I was confirmed into the Church of England at the age of 13. and I was confirmed into the Church of England at the age of 13.
58 00:04:01,225 00:04:03,359 I believed in the Christian God. I believed in the Christian God.
59 00:04:04,044 00:04:07,027 A couple of years later, I realised it wasn't true. A couple of years later, I realised it wasn't true.
60 00:04:07,147 00:04:10,159 There was no God. There was nothing out there. There was no God. There was nothing out there.
61 00:04:10,537 00:04:12,808 Many people have had that experience Many people have had that experience
62 00:04:12,815 00:04:16,520 and different people respond to it in very different ways. and different people respond to it in very different ways.
63 00:04:21,989 00:04:25,714 One of the oddest reactions to facing up to life without God One of the oddest reactions to facing up to life without God
64 00:04:25,728 00:04:29,670 was that of the great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy. was that of the great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy.
65 00:04:32,560 00:04:35,307 Like me, Tolstoy was brought up a Christian Like me, Tolstoy was brought up a Christian
66 00:04:35,319 00:04:37,760 and, as a young man, lost his faith. and, as a young man, lost his faith.
67 00:04:38,462 00:04:41,433 He had wealth, a family, and celebrity status He had wealth, a family, and celebrity status
68 00:04:41,480 00:04:45,240 thanks to his novels War And Peace and Anna Karenina. thanks to his novels War And Peace and Anna Karenina.
69 00:04:45,360 00:04:48,498 But in his late 40s, he began to question everything. But in his late 40s, he began to question everything.
70 00:04:51,447 00:04:52,938 Tolstoy was in despair, Tolstoy was in despair,
71 00:04:52,991 00:04:56,420 staring into an abyss of suicidal depression. staring into an abyss of suicidal depression.
72 00:04:56,923 00:04:59,810 He could find no answer to what tormented him. He could find no answer to what tormented him.
73 00:05:01,807 00:05:03,440 Why do I live? Why do I live?
74 00:05:03,870 00:05:08,131 Is there any meaning in my life that will not be annihilated Is there any meaning in my life that will not be annihilated
75 00:05:08,152 00:05:09,813 by the inevitability of death? by the inevitability of death?
76 00:05:11,320 00:05:14,279 Desperate to believe that life had a greater purpose, Desperate to believe that life had a greater purpose,
77 00:05:14,399 00:05:18,280 Tolstoy scoured philosophy and the sciences for what it might be, Tolstoy scoured philosophy and the sciences for what it might be,
78 00:05:19,000 00:05:21,389 but his torment only deepened. but his torment only deepened.
79 00:05:22,200 00:05:26,590 You are a temporary incidental accumulation of particles. You are a temporary incidental accumulation of particles.
80 00:05:27,190 00:05:31,531 You are a randomly-united lump of something. You are a randomly-united lump of something.
81 00:05:38,419 00:05:41,314 Eventually, Tolstoy found an answer Eventually, Tolstoy found an answer
82 00:05:41,434 00:05:44,156 and stepped back from the abyss. and stepped back from the abyss.
83 00:05:54,320 00:05:56,600 Mount St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire Mount St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire
84 00:05:56,720 00:05:59,920 is home to 36 Cistercian monks. is home to 36 Cistercian monks.
85 00:06:00,708 00:06:03,843 And this, in essence, was Tolstoy's solution - And this, in essence, was Tolstoy's solution -
86 00:06:04,822 00:06:07,920 spiritual retreat and devotion. spiritual retreat and devotion.
87 00:06:09,931 00:06:13,160 There are no special announcements this morning. There are no special announcements this morning.
88 00:06:14,579 00:06:17,240 Our order is what's called a contemplative order Our order is what's called a contemplative order
89 00:06:17,360 00:06:20,680 so we stay within the confines of the monastery. so we stay within the confines of the monastery.
90 00:06:20,698 00:06:23,760 We don't have schools, hospitals or parishes. We don't have schools, hospitals or parishes.
91 00:06:23,880 00:06:26,239 We stay within the monastery. We stay within the monastery.
92 00:06:26,271 00:06:28,480 And you're silent for part of the day, is that right? And you're silent for part of the day, is that right?
93 00:06:28,503 00:06:31,063 We are, for a good part of the day, especially in the early morning. We are, for a good part of the day, especially in the early morning.
94 00:06:31,437 00:06:32,671 Yes. Yes.
95 00:06:33,037 00:06:34,637 So the library is just up here. So the library is just up here.
96 00:06:34,652 00:06:36,012 Yes. Yes.
97 00:06:39,532 00:06:40,959 Oh, my, this is very nice. Oh, my, this is very nice.
98 00:06:41,147 00:06:43,719 It is a very nice library indeed, yes. It is a very nice library indeed, yes.
99 00:06:43,768 00:06:47,679 'Like Tolstoy, these monks live between two worlds. 'Like Tolstoy, these monks live between two worlds.
100 00:06:47,799 00:06:51,560 'Their library is better than I would have expected.' 'Their library is better than I would have expected.'
101 00:06:52,171 00:06:55,639 Stephen Hawking's Universe, Just Six Numbers, Carl Sagan. Stephen Hawking's Universe, Just Six Numbers, Carl Sagan.
102 00:06:55,640 00:06:57,280 Excellent, very good. Excellent, very good.
103 00:06:57,490 00:07:01,119 I wish I'd brought some of my books to present to you! I wish I'd brought some of my books to present to you!
104 00:07:01,120 00:07:02,448 Oh, there's one, there! We have one. Oh, there's one, there! We have one.
105 00:07:02,449 00:07:03,519 Oh, really? Oh, really?
106 00:07:03,561 00:07:05,240 Richard Dawkins, Modern Science Writing. Richard Dawkins, Modern Science Writing.
107 00:07:05,360 00:07:09,360 Oh, excellent! The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing. Very good. Oh, excellent! The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing. Very good.
108 00:07:09,700 00:07:12,519 There may be others, erm... There may be others, erm...
109 00:07:12,724 00:07:16,950 Well, I won't do that usual thing authors do of looking for them! Well, I won't do that usual thing authors do of looking for them!
110 00:07:20,528 00:07:23,759 Tolstoy's answer to the threat of meaninglessness Tolstoy's answer to the threat of meaninglessness
111 00:07:23,760 00:07:27,760 was to go back and consciously embrace God. was to go back and consciously embrace God.
112 00:07:29,280 00:07:31,159 He does exist. He does exist.
113 00:07:31,410 00:07:33,867 I had only to recognise this for an instant I had only to recognise this for an instant
114 00:07:33,920 00:07:37,920 and I would feel the possibility and joy of living. and I would feel the possibility and joy of living.
115 00:07:40,000 00:07:42,151 I returned to a belief in God. I returned to a belief in God.
116 00:07:42,920 00:07:46,590 I now knew that I could not live without it. I now knew that I could not live without it.
117 00:07:48,160 00:07:49,237 As an old man, As an old man,
118 00:07:49,600 00:07:54,018 Tolstoy separated himself from society to lead a Christian sect. Tolstoy separated himself from society to lead a Christian sect.
119 00:07:54,480 00:07:58,480 He ended up, like these monks, a religious recluse. He ended up, like these monks, a religious recluse.
120 00:07:59,560 00:08:04,230 But I want to know, can a person find meaning and fulfilment, But I want to know, can a person find meaning and fulfilment,
121 00:08:04,350 00:08:07,430 devoting himself to spiritual life? devoting himself to spiritual life?
122 00:08:08,365 00:08:11,313 Brother Michael, one of the youngest monks in the order, Brother Michael, one of the youngest monks in the order,
123 00:08:11,360 00:08:15,989 has, like Tolstoy, given up the world and earthly possessions. has, like Tolstoy, given up the world and earthly possessions.
124 00:08:18,280 00:08:22,628 My life I direct towards God and finding a relationship with God, My life I direct towards God and finding a relationship with God,
125 00:08:22,908 00:08:24,599 and I find meaning in that, and I find meaning in that,
126 00:08:24,859 00:08:28,981 and as...hopefully I grow towards God, I'll grow towards other people. and as...hopefully I grow towards God, I'll grow towards other people.
127 00:08:29,636 00:08:32,559 What do you miss about the life you could've had? What do you miss about the life you could've had?
128 00:08:32,920 00:08:34,360 Erm... Erm...
129 00:08:34,480 00:08:37,360 This morning I had to go to the chemist, This morning I had to go to the chemist,
130 00:08:37,480 00:08:40,753 and on the way out, there was a young lady and on the way out, there was a young lady
131 00:08:40,930 00:08:42,698 er... with her child, er... with her child,
132 00:08:42,818 00:08:44,119 and as they walked down the street, and as they walked down the street,
133 00:08:44,128 00:08:47,183 they had Tigger the tiger holding between their hands. they had Tigger the tiger holding between their hands.
134 00:08:47,198 00:08:48,478 Tigger from Winnie the Pooh? Tigger from Winnie the Pooh?
135 00:08:48,486 00:08:50,960 Tigger from Winnie The Pooh, and it stirred my heart. Tigger from Winnie The Pooh, and it stirred my heart.
136 00:08:51,236 00:08:52,799 My heart sort of... My heart sort of...
137 00:08:53,133 00:08:55,159 You feel you'd have liked to have had a child of your own? You feel you'd have liked to have had a child of your own?
138 00:08:55,160 00:08:56,839 Yeah. It's just like...yeah. Yeah. It's just like...yeah.
139 00:08:56,840 00:08:59,790 I've given up a family, which is part of the life. I've given up a family, which is part of the life.
140 00:09:01,280 00:09:04,160 I worry that these men are running from reality I worry that these men are running from reality
141 00:09:04,280 00:09:07,550 and squandering their lives. and squandering their lives.
142 00:09:07,939 00:09:11,399 Isn't facing up to the challenges of the real world Isn't facing up to the challenges of the real world
143 00:09:11,400 00:09:13,240 what makes life worthwhile? what makes life worthwhile?
144 00:09:14,568 00:09:16,747 - Can you talk while polishing? - Yes. - Can you talk while polishing? - Yes.
145 00:09:17,418 00:09:20,214 Brother William gave up a career as a banker Brother William gave up a career as a banker
146 00:09:20,222 00:09:22,949 to join the monastery ten years ago. to join the monastery ten years ago.
147 00:09:23,742 00:09:25,200 The meaning of life for me The meaning of life for me
148 00:09:25,215 00:09:27,051 is being there for other people. is being there for other people.
149 00:09:27,066 00:09:28,272 Yes. Yes.
150 00:09:28,392 00:09:30,053 And it's a sacrifice And it's a sacrifice
151 00:09:30,282 00:09:31,752 that I'm willing to make. that I'm willing to make.
152 00:09:33,560 00:09:36,959 But if you want to do good to other people, But if you want to do good to other people,
153 00:09:37,079 00:09:39,519 it seems a slightly odd way to go about it it seems a slightly odd way to go about it
154 00:09:39,520 00:09:41,281 to shut yourself away in a monastery. to shut yourself away in a monastery.
155 00:09:41,327 00:09:45,480 Couldn't you do more good if you were out there in the outside world? Couldn't you do more good if you were out there in the outside world?
156 00:09:45,685 00:09:49,993 You can see how our prayers affect people's lives, You can see how our prayers affect people's lives,
157 00:09:50,290 00:09:54,778 and how they've come through a personal problem, and how they've come through a personal problem,
158 00:09:54,969 00:09:57,414 that they've felt our support here. that they've felt our support here.
159 00:09:57,534 00:10:00,720 (THEY CHANT) (THEY CHANT)
160 00:10:00,840 00:10:03,963 These monks find meaning in devotion to God, These monks find meaning in devotion to God,
161 00:10:03,969 00:10:06,264 in prayer and solitude. in prayer and solitude.
162 00:10:13,998 00:10:16,639 They're entitled to their beliefs of course. They're entitled to their beliefs of course.
163 00:10:16,759 00:10:19,559 But, what a slender life to lead But, what a slender life to lead
164 00:10:19,679 00:10:21,678 when you could be out there in the real world, when you could be out there in the real world,
165 00:10:21,694 00:10:24,786 teaching, learning, maybe doing good. teaching, learning, maybe doing good.
166 00:10:30,089 00:10:34,720 It seemed to me to be a sort of sadly inadequate life. It seemed to me to be a sort of sadly inadequate life.
167 00:10:35,805 00:10:37,919 Not really a life at all. Not really a life at all.
168 00:10:38,152 00:10:40,590 Just very, very sad. Just very, very sad.
169 00:10:44,240 00:10:46,119 Of course, I don't believe in God, Of course, I don't believe in God,
170 00:10:46,120 00:10:48,948 but I do understand Tolstoy's predicament. but I do understand Tolstoy's predicament.
171 00:10:50,038 00:10:52,805 I just don't see how cloistering yourself away like this I just don't see how cloistering yourself away like this
172 00:10:52,828 00:10:55,350 can add meaning to life. can add meaning to life.
173 00:10:59,970 00:11:03,880 Perhaps a better approach would be to embrace life's uncertainties Perhaps a better approach would be to embrace life's uncertainties
174 00:11:04,284 00:11:06,729 and take a few risks? and take a few risks?
175 00:11:22,073 00:11:25,555 Many of our greatest minds have struggled with the idea that Many of our greatest minds have struggled with the idea that
176 00:11:25,570 00:11:29,080 if there is no God, life has no meaning. if there is no God, life has no meaning.
177 00:11:32,214 00:11:35,520 One of the bleakest reactions was that of Graham Greene. One of the bleakest reactions was that of Graham Greene.
178 00:11:35,640 00:11:37,199 Greene was of course to become Greene was of course to become
179 00:11:37,200 00:11:40,039 one of the great Catholic writers of the 20th century, one of the great Catholic writers of the 20th century,
180 00:11:40,159 00:11:42,602 but as a young man he was agnostic. but as a young man he was agnostic.
181 00:11:42,722 00:11:45,545 He was also reckless and extremely bored. He was also reckless and extremely bored.
182 00:11:46,261 00:11:49,324 He carried what he called his "war against boredom" He carried what he called his "war against boredom"
183 00:11:49,339 00:11:51,640 to a shocking and dangerous extreme. to a shocking and dangerous extreme.
184 00:11:53,872 00:11:56,505 Greene lived to the ripe old age of 86, Greene lived to the ripe old age of 86,
185 00:11:57,077 00:12:00,170 but statistically he shouldn't have made it past 19. but statistically he shouldn't have made it past 19.
186 00:12:02,402 00:12:05,768 "I remember very clearly the afternoon I found the revolver "I remember very clearly the afternoon I found the revolver
187 00:12:05,888 00:12:08,503 "in the brown deal corner cupboard, in a bedroom "in the brown deal corner cupboard, in a bedroom
188 00:12:08,623 00:12:11,161 "which I shared with my elder brother. "which I shared with my elder brother.
189 00:12:11,374 00:12:14,307 "It was the early autumn of 1923. "It was the early autumn of 1923.
190 00:12:14,787 00:12:16,874 "I slipped the revolver into my pocket "I slipped the revolver into my pocket
191 00:12:16,889 00:12:18,345 "and the next I remember, "and the next I remember,
192 00:12:18,360 00:12:22,670 "was crossing the Berkhamstead Common towards Ashridge Beaches." "was crossing the Berkhamstead Common towards Ashridge Beaches."
193 00:12:23,217 00:12:27,510 Greene had been reading a book about soldiers during the Russian Civil War. Greene had been reading a book about soldiers during the Russian Civil War.
194 00:12:27,770 00:12:33,110 Away from the frontline, they invented hazardous games to avoid boredom. Away from the frontline, they invented hazardous games to avoid boredom.
195 00:12:34,018 00:12:35,406 "This was not suicide, "This was not suicide,
196 00:12:35,526 00:12:37,775 "whatever a coroner's jury might have said, "whatever a coroner's jury might have said,
197 00:12:37,895 00:12:39,314 "it was a gamble... "it was a gamble...
198 00:12:39,352 00:12:42,636 with five chances to one against an inquest. with five chances to one against an inquest.
199 00:12:43,744 00:12:45,740 "I slipped a bullet into a chamber "I slipped a bullet into a chamber
200 00:12:45,860 00:12:48,315 "and holding the revolver behind my back "and holding the revolver behind my back
201 00:12:48,368 00:12:51,180 "spun the chambers round. "spun the chambers round.
202 00:12:55,053 00:12:58,470 "I put the muzzle of the revolver into my right ear." "I put the muzzle of the revolver into my right ear."
203 00:13:02,679 00:13:03,868 CHAMBER CLICKS CHAMBER CLICKS
204 00:13:04,310 00:13:05,999 "There was a minute click "There was a minute click
205 00:13:06,289 00:13:10,291 and looking down I could see the charge had moved into the firing position. and looking down I could see the charge had moved into the firing position.
206 00:13:10,411 00:13:12,439 "I was out by one." "I was out by one."
207 00:13:13,618 00:13:16,150 Graham Greene lived by chance. Graham Greene lived by chance.
208 00:13:16,410 00:13:18,134 He had absolutely no control He had absolutely no control
209 00:13:18,142 00:13:20,999 over the outcome when he pulled the trigger. over the outcome when he pulled the trigger.
210 00:13:21,457 00:13:23,682 What Greene did was utterly crazy. What Greene did was utterly crazy.
211 00:13:23,697 00:13:25,190 No matter how bored I was, No matter how bored I was,
212 00:13:25,198 00:13:28,479 I would never trust my life to chance in such a way. I would never trust my life to chance in such a way.
213 00:13:29,289 00:13:33,482 But the reality is that we have less control over our lives But the reality is that we have less control over our lives
214 00:13:33,602 00:13:35,790 than we might like to think. than we might like to think.
215 00:13:51,630 00:13:55,590 When a tornado struck Joplin, Missouri in May 2011, When a tornado struck Joplin, Missouri in May 2011,
216 00:13:55,936 00:13:59,143 death and destruction were indiscriminate. death and destruction were indiscriminate.
217 00:14:01,482 00:14:05,294 The young Graham Greene would have embraced the truth of that tornado. The young Graham Greene would have embraced the truth of that tornado.
218 00:14:06,848 00:14:09,157 Joplin's fate hung on chance, Joplin's fate hung on chance,
219 00:14:09,277 00:14:12,433 just like his game of Russian roulette. just like his game of Russian roulette.
220 00:14:14,368 00:14:17,644 While 7,000 buildings were blown away, While 7,000 buildings were blown away,
221 00:14:17,683 00:14:19,953 others survived unscathed. others survived unscathed.
222 00:14:25,339 00:14:28,242 There is tremendous survivor's guilt in the community. There is tremendous survivor's guilt in the community.
223 00:14:28,972 00:14:31,439 That, I haven't experienced before. That, I haven't experienced before.
224 00:14:31,854 00:14:36,462 Survivor's guilt meaning why did I survive when someone else died? Survivor's guilt meaning why did I survive when someone else died?
225 00:14:36,660 00:14:38,100 Why did that little child died? Why did that little child died?
226 00:14:38,610 00:14:41,888 I'm 70 years of age, why didn't you take me, God? I'm 70 years of age, why didn't you take me, God?
227 00:14:41,917 00:14:43,870 Why should that mother lose that child? Why should that mother lose that child?
228 00:14:46,970 00:14:48,996 But do you think he could have stopped the tornado? But do you think he could have stopped the tornado?
229 00:14:48,997 00:14:51,046 Of course he could, he could stop anything he wants. Of course he could, he could stop anything he wants.
230 00:14:51,047 00:14:52,212 Then, why didn't he? Then, why didn't he?
231 00:14:52,228 00:14:53,294 Er... Er...
232 00:14:53,325 00:14:55,855 - ..because we don't understand, it's a mystery! - He is a mystery? - ..because we don't understand, it's a mystery! - He is a mystery?
233 00:14:55,871 00:14:57,044 He is a mystery, and... He is a mystery, and...
234 00:14:57,075 00:14:59,370 I can't intellectually explain that. I can't intellectually explain that.
235 00:14:59,490 00:15:02,539 And if someone tries to do that, And if someone tries to do that,
236 00:15:02,659 00:15:04,504 they're gonna come to a dead end they're gonna come to a dead end
237 00:15:04,512 00:15:06,759 and say it makes no sense. and say it makes no sense.
238 00:15:10,203 00:15:14,040 It's almost moving the way religious people struggle, It's almost moving the way religious people struggle,
239 00:15:14,160 00:15:16,740 twist and turn to find some excuse for this, twist and turn to find some excuse for this,
240 00:15:16,930 00:15:20,976 some sort of meaning, some part of God's plan. some sort of meaning, some part of God's plan.
241 00:15:21,533 00:15:23,628 If it was part of anybody's plan, If it was part of anybody's plan,
242 00:15:23,643 00:15:26,615 what an unthinkably awful plan it would have to be! what an unthinkably awful plan it would have to be!
243 00:15:30,180 00:15:31,496 But even if you're an atheist, But even if you're an atheist,
244 00:15:31,755 00:15:36,372 the idea of living or dying by chance alone is hard to accept. the idea of living or dying by chance alone is hard to accept.
245 00:15:37,165 00:15:39,772 Atheists may think they've given up God, Atheists may think they've given up God,
246 00:15:39,892 00:15:42,643 but it's only human to cling to the idea that but it's only human to cling to the idea that
247 00:15:42,658 00:15:45,432 "things happen for a reason". "things happen for a reason".
248 00:15:47,016 00:15:50,000 If you look at the misfortune and fortune If you look at the misfortune and fortune
249 00:15:50,228 00:15:53,030 in human life, in the universe generally, in human life, in the universe generally,
250 00:15:53,200 00:15:57,435 there is no pattern as relates to people, there is no pattern as relates to people,
251 00:15:57,443 00:15:59,879 the pattern is entirely related to physics. the pattern is entirely related to physics.
252 00:15:59,880 00:16:03,513 The universe has exactly the properties we'd expect The universe has exactly the properties we'd expect
253 00:16:03,514 00:16:07,110 if there was no plan, no design, no aim, if there was no plan, no design, no aim,
254 00:16:07,591 00:16:11,929 just blind indifferent... forces of nature. just blind indifferent... forces of nature.
255 00:16:21,901 00:16:25,958 If, like Graham Greene, you understand life as a game of chance, If, like Graham Greene, you understand life as a game of chance,
256 00:16:25,973 00:16:28,533 and if you believe there is no God pulling your strings, and if you believe there is no God pulling your strings,
257 00:16:28,578 00:16:31,751 making plans for you, why not just play the game? making plans for you, why not just play the game?
258 00:16:31,774 00:16:34,182 The great gambling game of life. The great gambling game of life.
259 00:16:40,817 00:16:42,200 Unbelievable place. Unbelievable place.
260 00:16:42,554 00:16:45,076 It's sort of trying to be the seven wonders of the world. It's sort of trying to be the seven wonders of the world.
261 00:16:47,480 00:16:50,190 Look at that medieval castle there. Look at that medieval castle there.
262 00:16:52,440 00:16:54,234 There's the Statue of Liberty. There's the Statue of Liberty.
263 00:16:56,160 00:16:57,884 There's a replica of Venice somewhere. There's a replica of Venice somewhere.
264 00:16:57,907 00:16:59,990 There's the Chrysler Building. There's the Chrysler Building.
265 00:17:01,228 00:17:03,987 I'm often told that my vision of a godless future I'm often told that my vision of a godless future
266 00:17:03,988 00:17:07,160 is just as devoid of meaning as Las Vegas. is just as devoid of meaning as Las Vegas.
267 00:17:07,280 00:17:10,480 That without God, all you're left with is materialism That without God, all you're left with is materialism
268 00:17:10,510 00:17:12,790 and mindless slot machines. and mindless slot machines.
269 00:17:15,132 00:17:17,372 But I've come here because I think Las Vegas But I've come here because I think Las Vegas
270 00:17:17,379 00:17:19,510 reveals something fascinating, reveals something fascinating,
271 00:17:19,770 00:17:24,384 humanity's deep-seated belief that we can prevail over chance. humanity's deep-seated belief that we can prevail over chance.
272 00:17:26,541 00:17:28,430 People come here filled with hope. People come here filled with hope.
273 00:17:28,600 00:17:30,160 Everybody knows the casinos Everybody knows the casinos
274 00:17:30,280 00:17:33,123 have a terrific mark-up percentage for the house, have a terrific mark-up percentage for the house,
275 00:17:33,440 00:17:36,602 and yet they still go on feeding that hope, and yet they still go on feeding that hope,
276 00:17:36,770 00:17:40,351 and feeding the slot machines and losing their money. and feeding the slot machines and losing their money.
277 00:17:41,425 00:17:43,079 Hey, Richard. How's it going? Hey, Richard. How's it going?
278 00:17:43,080 00:17:43,825 OK. OK.
279 00:17:43,841 00:17:44,759 You winning? You winning?
280 00:17:44,760 00:17:46,351 - No, I've lost every time so far. - Oh, my God! - No, I've lost every time so far. - Oh, my God!
281 00:17:46,367 00:17:49,639 Well, now your luck's gonna change, because I know physics! Well, now your luck's gonna change, because I know physics!
282 00:17:49,759 00:17:50,612 OK. OK.
283 00:17:50,732 00:17:52,492 He may look like a card sharp, He may look like a card sharp,
284 00:17:52,508 00:17:55,960 but the gentleman in the shades is actually a physicist. but the gentleman in the shades is actually a physicist.
285 00:17:56,722 00:17:59,183 Leonard Mlodinow is fascinated Leonard Mlodinow is fascinated
286 00:17:59,198 00:18:03,230 by how human beings are incapable of understanding chance. by how human beings are incapable of understanding chance.
287 00:18:06,209 00:18:07,600 32. 32.
288 00:18:09,820 00:18:10,948 I won and I lost. I won and I lost.
289 00:18:12,060 00:18:14,975 When people are playing these games we see around us, When people are playing these games we see around us,
290 00:18:14,986 00:18:16,918 am I right that many of them, am I right that many of them,
291 00:18:16,933 00:18:19,823 even if there's absolutely no bias between red and black, even if there's absolutely no bias between red and black,
292 00:18:19,857 00:18:21,205 many people will say, many people will say,
293 00:18:21,221 00:18:24,369 "Oh, well it has been red, red, red, for such a long time, it's black's turn." "Oh, well it has been red, red, red, for such a long time, it's black's turn."
294 00:18:24,489 00:18:27,826 That's right. That's called The Gambler's Fallacy. That's right. That's called The Gambler's Fallacy.
295 00:18:28,839 00:18:31,233 I you flip a coin a zillion times, I you flip a coin a zillion times,
296 00:18:31,255 00:18:33,229 you're going to get about half a zillion heads you're going to get about half a zillion heads
297 00:18:33,252 00:18:34,806 and half a zillion tails. and half a zillion tails.
298 00:18:34,852 00:18:38,409 So people's thinking goes, if they bothered to logically think about it, So people's thinking goes, if they bothered to logically think about it,
299 00:18:38,416 00:18:41,706 is that, "OK, I've seen 10 tails in a row, is that, "OK, I've seen 10 tails in a row,
300 00:18:41,826 00:18:44,159 "so if it's gonna be half heads and half tails, "so if it's gonna be half heads and half tails,
301 00:18:44,167 00:18:45,561 the heads better catch up." the heads better catch up."
302 00:18:45,612 00:18:47,425 - But that's not the way it works. - OK. - But that's not the way it works. - OK.
303 00:18:47,545 00:18:49,718 You could throw it a zillion times and get all heads. You could throw it a zillion times and get all heads.
304 00:18:51,266 00:18:52,645 The point about our brain The point about our brain
305 00:18:52,996 00:18:56,640 is that it insists on seeing order, meaning and pattern is that it insists on seeing order, meaning and pattern
306 00:18:56,760 00:18:58,459 even where there is none. even where there is none.
307 00:18:59,170 00:19:01,310 It's a very human characteristic It's a very human characteristic
308 00:19:01,430 00:19:03,672 to fool ourselves that we are in control. to fool ourselves that we are in control.
309 00:19:05,699 00:19:08,213 In today's world, it seems that we make more mistakes In today's world, it seems that we make more mistakes
310 00:19:08,251 00:19:09,844 seeing patterns that aren't there seeing patterns that aren't there
311 00:19:09,859 00:19:11,920 rather than missing patterns that are there. rather than missing patterns that are there.
312 00:19:12,040 00:19:14,030 In fact, there's a great experiment on that, In fact, there's a great experiment on that,
313 00:19:14,053 00:19:18,009 they put a rat in front of a red light and a green light. they put a rat in front of a red light and a green light.
314 00:19:18,129 00:19:20,163 And the red light and the green light flash And the red light and the green light flash
315 00:19:20,178 00:19:21,847 without any pattern, at random. without any pattern, at random.
316 00:19:21,885 00:19:24,573 But the green light flashes 75% of the time, But the green light flashes 75% of the time,
317 00:19:24,825 00:19:27,691 and the red light flashes 25% of the time. and the red light flashes 25% of the time.
318 00:19:27,811 00:19:30,204 And the rat, if it guesses correctly which is going to flash, And the rat, if it guesses correctly which is going to flash,
319 00:19:30,227 00:19:31,775 it gets a little sugar water. it gets a little sugar water.
320 00:19:31,895 00:19:33,879 So when they let the rats do this, So when they let the rats do this,
321 00:19:33,887 00:19:35,586 they see after a while that they see after a while that
322 00:19:35,609 00:19:37,956 the green light is flashing more than the red light the green light is flashing more than the red light
323 00:19:37,972 00:19:40,907 and they just start guessing green, green, green, green, every time. and they just start guessing green, green, green, green, every time.
324 00:19:41,027 00:19:43,823 And they get it right 75% of the time and are happy with that. And they get it right 75% of the time and are happy with that.
325 00:19:43,831 00:19:44,568 Which is sensible. Which is sensible.
326 00:19:44,576 00:19:45,990 - That's what you should do. - Yeah. - That's what you should do. - Yeah.
327 00:19:46,250 00:19:48,431 But people, we think we know better, right? But people, we think we know better, right?
328 00:19:48,439 00:19:51,006 So when they put humans in front of such an experiment, So when they put humans in front of such an experiment,
329 00:19:51,029 00:19:53,088 most people won't do what the rat does. most people won't do what the rat does.
330 00:19:53,208 00:19:57,036 They've seen that it's 75% green and they'll guess a pattern. They've seen that it's 75% green and they'll guess a pattern.
331 00:19:57,622 00:20:00,045 They'll go, green, green, red, green, green, green, red. They'll go, green, green, red, green, green, green, red.
332 00:20:00,061 00:20:02,476 They'll start spewing out these red and greens They'll start spewing out these red and greens
333 00:20:02,489 00:20:03,754 in some weird pattern in some weird pattern
334 00:20:03,800 00:20:07,345 that's tailored to be 75% green and 25% red, that's tailored to be 75% green and 25% red,
335 00:20:07,397 00:20:09,142 thinking that they can, you know, beat the system, thinking that they can, you know, beat the system,
336 00:20:09,149 00:20:11,625 just like the people here in the casino think they can. just like the people here in the casino think they can.
337 00:20:11,660 00:20:13,336 And when you do that, you end up about, And when you do that, you end up about,
338 00:20:13,344 00:20:16,039 I think, 60% of the time you get it right, instead of 75%. I think, 60% of the time you get it right, instead of 75%.
339 00:20:16,437 00:20:18,570 And so the humans are out performed by a rat. And so the humans are out performed by a rat.
340 00:20:18,601 00:20:19,294 Yes. Yes.
341 00:20:19,332 00:20:22,005 That's because we see patterns where there aren't any. That's because we see patterns where there aren't any.
342 00:20:22,035 00:20:23,833 That's just the way our minds work. That's just the way our minds work.
343 00:20:23,833 00:20:26,645 Too clever by half. Or too clever by three quarters, in this case. Too clever by half. Or too clever by three quarters, in this case.
344 00:20:26,690 00:20:27,650 Too clever, yes. Too clever, yes.
345 00:20:28,344 00:20:30,508 I'm going to throw everything on my birthday. I'm going to throw everything on my birthday.
346 00:20:31,199 00:20:33,560 Yours is the 26th? Mine is the 26th! Yours is the 26th? Mine is the 26th!
347 00:20:33,583 00:20:34,284 Oh, wow! Oh, wow!
348 00:20:34,338 00:20:37,065 Both our birthdays are the 26th! So... (LAUGHS) Both our birthdays are the 26th! So... (LAUGHS)
349 00:20:38,612 00:20:40,616 26 is even so I'm going to win that too. 26 is even so I'm going to win that too.
350 00:20:40,639 00:20:42,350 Maybe I should put this on odd? Maybe I should put this on odd?
351 00:20:45,230 00:20:47,554 Perhaps this is part of the explanation Perhaps this is part of the explanation
352 00:20:47,562 00:20:50,246 why religion evolved in the first place, why religion evolved in the first place,
353 00:20:50,366 00:20:55,390 it satisfied our desperate desire to find meaning and order in the chaos. it satisfied our desperate desire to find meaning and order in the chaos.
354 00:20:57,390 00:21:00,310 In playing the ultimate game of chance, Russian roulette, In playing the ultimate game of chance, Russian roulette,
355 00:21:00,638 00:21:04,142 the young Graham Greene grasped what so many of us fail to, the young Graham Greene grasped what so many of us fail to,
356 00:21:05,003 00:21:06,670 there is no pattern. there is no pattern.
357 00:21:07,137 00:21:08,412 26! 26! 26! 26!
358 00:21:08,693 00:21:10,790 We have no control. We have no control.
359 00:21:11,276 00:21:13,350 Ooh! We came so close! Ooh! We came so close!
360 00:21:14,179 00:21:16,602 Greene took his chances and pulled the trigger Greene took his chances and pulled the trigger
361 00:21:16,608 00:21:18,638 on another five occasions, on another five occasions,
362 00:21:18,758 00:21:23,042 before the effect of what he called "his adrenaline drug" wore off. before the effect of what he called "his adrenaline drug" wore off.
363 00:21:26,650 00:21:28,688 What Greene did may seem crazy, What Greene did may seem crazy,
364 00:21:28,696 00:21:30,500 but there is a grim logic to it. but there is a grim logic to it.
365 00:21:30,620 00:21:32,755 Seize the reins, dance with death! Seize the reins, dance with death!
366 00:21:32,801 00:21:35,080 You're going to die anyway. You're going to die anyway.
367 00:21:35,200 00:21:36,679 CHAMBER CLICKS CHAMBER CLICKS
368 00:21:36,908 00:21:39,041 Happily for Greene, he beat the odds. Happily for Greene, he beat the odds.
369 00:21:43,475 00:21:46,640 Greene would later convert to Roman Catholicism, Greene would later convert to Roman Catholicism,
370 00:21:46,760 00:21:49,480 but Russian roulette of a kind stayed with him. but Russian roulette of a kind stayed with him.
371 00:21:49,600 00:21:51,355 As a journalist and spy, As a journalist and spy,
372 00:21:51,371 00:21:54,710 Greene risked his life in numerous war zones. Greene risked his life in numerous war zones.
373 00:21:56,574 00:21:59,752 "The fear of ambush served me just as effectively "The fear of ambush served me just as effectively
374 00:21:59,759 00:22:01,973 "as the revolver from the corner cupboard, "as the revolver from the corner cupboard,
375 00:22:01,988 00:22:04,710 in the life-long war against boredom." in the life-long war against boredom."
376 00:22:10,133 00:22:13,200 Tolstoy found meaning by hiding himself away. Tolstoy found meaning by hiding himself away.
377 00:22:14,069 00:22:16,430 Greene went in the opposite direction. Greene went in the opposite direction.
378 00:22:18,869 00:22:21,117 But the next great mind I shall consider But the next great mind I shall consider
379 00:22:21,132 00:22:25,907 tried to argue meaning into even the most meaningless toil imaginable. tried to argue meaning into even the most meaningless toil imaginable.
380 00:22:38,402 00:22:43,070 More and more of us now do not believe in God or life after death. More and more of us now do not believe in God or life after death.
381 00:22:43,330 00:22:46,710 We live and then we die, and that's it. We live and then we die, and that's it.
382 00:22:49,060 00:22:50,545 We are born by chance, We are born by chance,
383 00:22:50,774 00:22:53,433 and our lives are shaped by chance events. and our lives are shaped by chance events.
384 00:22:57,715 00:23:00,840 I know this is a difficult pill to swallow for many people, I know this is a difficult pill to swallow for many people,
385 00:23:00,960 00:23:04,541 especially those for whom religion still has a hold over their lives. especially those for whom religion still has a hold over their lives.
386 00:23:05,288 00:23:09,410 Many people have struggled to come to terms with the reality Many people have struggled to come to terms with the reality
387 00:23:09,426 00:23:11,963 of a purely physical universe. of a purely physical universe.
388 00:23:12,083 00:23:14,470 So, how do we find meaning? So, how do we find meaning?
389 00:23:22,806 00:23:27,552 The Second World War laid bare the extent of man's capacity for evil. The Second World War laid bare the extent of man's capacity for evil.
390 00:23:32,078 00:23:34,648 In Paris, philosophers like Albert Camus In Paris, philosophers like Albert Camus
391 00:23:34,810 00:23:36,339 met in cafes like this, met in cafes like this,
392 00:23:36,347 00:23:39,090 to try to make sense of the brutality. to try to make sense of the brutality.
393 00:23:41,223 00:23:44,603 "Without the aid of eternal values, it is legitimate "Without the aid of eternal values, it is legitimate
394 00:23:44,626 00:23:48,230 "and necessary to wonder whether life has a meaning." "and necessary to wonder whether life has a meaning."
395 00:23:50,195 00:23:53,601 Camus was interested in what he called "the absurd", Camus was interested in what he called "the absurd",
396 00:23:53,624 00:23:56,744 that our life must have meaning for us to value it, that our life must have meaning for us to value it,
397 00:23:56,864 00:23:59,975 but we live in a world that offers no meaning. but we live in a world that offers no meaning.
398 00:24:01,203 00:24:04,929 Unlike Tolstoy and Graham Greene, Camus rejected religion Unlike Tolstoy and Graham Greene, Camus rejected religion
399 00:24:04,944 00:24:07,497 as a source of the meaning he craved. as a source of the meaning he craved.
400 00:24:09,449 00:24:11,557 He found inspiration in another myth. He found inspiration in another myth.
401 00:24:12,113 00:24:16,237 The story of a man whom the Ancient Greek gods had cursed. The story of a man whom the Ancient Greek gods had cursed.
402 00:24:17,616 00:24:20,598 Camus consoled himself with the myth of Sisyphus, Camus consoled himself with the myth of Sisyphus,
403 00:24:20,964 00:24:23,799 in which Sisyphus was condemned to spend his whole time in which Sisyphus was condemned to spend his whole time
404 00:24:23,919 00:24:27,425 rolling a boulder up a mountain and then it rolled to the bottom again, rolling a boulder up a mountain and then it rolled to the bottom again,
405 00:24:27,545 00:24:29,314 he went to the bottom and rolled it up again, he went to the bottom and rolled it up again,
406 00:24:29,322 00:24:30,585 and this went on forever. and this went on forever.
407 00:24:33,840 00:24:38,280 For Camus, accepting even this most futile and repetitive of tasks For Camus, accepting even this most futile and repetitive of tasks
408 00:24:38,287 00:24:42,030 and not giving up, itself had value. and not giving up, itself had value.
409 00:24:43,264 00:24:45,679 "The struggle itself towards the heights "The struggle itself towards the heights
410 00:24:45,680 00:24:48,422 "is enough to fill a man's heart. "is enough to fill a man's heart.
411 00:24:48,475 00:24:51,348 "We must imagine Sisyphus happy." "We must imagine Sisyphus happy."
412 00:24:52,970 00:24:54,919 Camus took comfort from this Camus took comfort from this
413 00:24:54,920 00:24:57,253 because by going to the bottom of the mountain again because by going to the bottom of the mountain again
414 00:24:57,269 00:25:00,583 and rolling the stone back up, he was at least doing something. and rolling the stone back up, he was at least doing something.
415 00:25:02,140 00:25:06,320 But can we really find meaning in futile work? But can we really find meaning in futile work?
416 00:25:08,937 00:25:12,076 Sisyphus may seem admirable to a French intellectual, Sisyphus may seem admirable to a French intellectual,
417 00:25:12,670 00:25:15,719 but I don't see the appeal of resigning oneself but I don't see the appeal of resigning oneself
418 00:25:15,720 00:25:17,790 to life's injustices. to life's injustices.
419 00:25:29,224 00:25:30,116 India - India -
420 00:25:30,131 00:25:31,496 one of the fastest developing one of the fastest developing
421 00:25:31,815 00:25:34,083 and most unequal economies in the world. and most unequal economies in the world.
422 00:25:35,702 00:25:38,696 The human condition doesn't come much more human than this, The human condition doesn't come much more human than this,
423 00:25:38,917 00:25:40,464 or much more extreme. or much more extreme.
424 00:25:41,500 00:25:43,928 Everything's going on - the noise, the bustle. Everything's going on - the noise, the bustle.
425 00:25:43,974 00:25:46,465 It's like an ant-heap of activity. It's like an ant-heap of activity.
426 00:25:46,760 00:25:50,760 It's a terrifying and yet rather a moving sight. It's a terrifying and yet rather a moving sight.
427 00:25:56,765 00:26:00,840 This latter-day Sisyphus is called Hori Lal. This latter-day Sisyphus is called Hori Lal.
428 00:26:00,960 00:26:03,032 His struggle is to clean the streets His struggle is to clean the streets
429 00:26:03,038 00:26:05,829 and the public lavatory here in Varanasi. and the public lavatory here in Varanasi.
430 00:26:06,156 00:26:10,240 His task is as endless as Sisyphus' boulder-rolling. His task is as endless as Sisyphus' boulder-rolling.
431 00:26:10,320 00:26:12,966 These streets are never clean. These streets are never clean.
432 00:26:14,480 00:26:16,039 Do you enjoy your job? Do you enjoy your job?
433 00:26:16,699 00:26:19,154 TRANSLATION: Yes, yes. I enjoy doing my job. TRANSLATION: Yes, yes. I enjoy doing my job.
434 00:26:19,390 00:26:21,350 Do you do the same thing every day? Do you do the same thing every day?
435 00:26:21,720 00:26:23,903 TRANSLATION: Yes, I do it every day. TRANSLATION: Yes, I do it every day.
436 00:26:24,269 00:26:26,158 How long have you been doing this job? How long have you been doing this job?
437 00:26:27,294 00:26:29,694 TRANSLATION: It must be 20 years now. TRANSLATION: It must be 20 years now.
438 00:26:30,030 00:26:31,881 What hope do you have for the future? What hope do you have for the future?
439 00:26:31,906 00:26:33,811 TRANSLATION: What hope can I have? TRANSLATION: What hope can I have?
440 00:26:33,833 00:26:36,652 I have a job to do and I will continue doing it. I have a job to do and I will continue doing it.
441 00:26:38,899 00:26:40,316 TRANSLATION: It's fate. TRANSLATION: It's fate.
442 00:26:40,369 00:26:42,716 What we have been made, we will remain. What we have been made, we will remain.
443 00:26:42,739 00:26:44,461 It can't be changed. It can't be changed.
444 00:26:49,505 00:26:52,692 I suppose there is something a bit inspiring about Hori Lal's I suppose there is something a bit inspiring about Hori Lal's
445 00:26:52,707 00:26:55,953 cheerfulness and good humour in the face of life's hardships. cheerfulness and good humour in the face of life's hardships.
446 00:26:56,791 00:26:59,664 Perhaps it's what Camus saw in the myth of Sisyphus, Perhaps it's what Camus saw in the myth of Sisyphus,
447 00:27:00,105 00:27:01,770 and it's certainly a wonderful antidote and it's certainly a wonderful antidote
448 00:27:01,793 00:27:03,652 to us whingers in the rich West, to us whingers in the rich West,
449 00:27:03,660 00:27:07,302 when we dare to moan about patchy mobile phone reception, when we dare to moan about patchy mobile phone reception,
450 00:27:07,332 00:27:08,940 or the cost of supermarket food. or the cost of supermarket food.
451 00:27:13,808 00:27:18,433 But what bothers me is why Hori Lal has been cursed like Sisyphus. But what bothers me is why Hori Lal has been cursed like Sisyphus.
452 00:27:18,822 00:27:19,888 It's because here, It's because here,
453 00:27:19,904 00:27:22,150 life's lottery begins at birth, life's lottery begins at birth,
454 00:27:22,310 00:27:26,030 thanks to the confines of the ancient caste system. thanks to the confines of the ancient caste system.
455 00:27:26,624 00:27:30,198 This is the Sunday edition of the Hindustan Times This is the Sunday edition of the Hindustan Times
456 00:27:30,213 00:27:33,439 and it's got a section called "Matrimonials", and it's got a section called "Matrimonials",
457 00:27:33,440 00:27:38,469 in which fathers advertise for husbands for their daughters. in which fathers advertise for husbands for their daughters.
458 00:27:38,964 00:27:42,378 And there's a section called "Brides", And there's a section called "Brides",
459 00:27:42,401 00:27:45,623 where men advertise for wives. where men advertise for wives.
460 00:27:45,743 00:27:48,716 And the men are usually described as handsome. And the men are usually described as handsome.
461 00:27:48,836 00:27:51,076 The women are often described as "homely", The women are often described as "homely",
462 00:27:51,122 00:27:53,141 which I presume means home-loving. which I presume means home-loving.
463 00:27:53,179 00:27:56,616 But a curious thing about this matrimonials page But a curious thing about this matrimonials page
464 00:27:56,639 00:27:58,359 is the way it's classified. is the way it's classified.
465 00:27:58,479 00:28:01,008 There are headings like Brahmin, There are headings like Brahmin,
466 00:28:01,128 00:28:05,899 and other names from the ancient Hindu caste system, and other names from the ancient Hindu caste system,
467 00:28:06,019 00:28:08,977 whereby society is stratified whereby society is stratified
468 00:28:09,097 00:28:12,148 into levels, into separate castes, into levels, into separate castes,
469 00:28:12,268 00:28:15,270 which are not supposed to marry each other. which are not supposed to marry each other.
470 00:28:17,440 00:28:20,199 Ancient Hindu scripture divided society Ancient Hindu scripture divided society
471 00:28:20,200 00:28:22,886 into four distinct groups that you could be born into - into four distinct groups that you could be born into -
472 00:28:24,212 00:28:26,230 scholars... scholars...
473 00:28:26,872 00:28:28,550 warriors... warriors...
474 00:28:28,920 00:28:30,190 merchants... merchants...
475 00:28:30,560 00:28:32,493 and labourers. and labourers.
476 00:28:33,787 00:28:37,470 Falling outside this system were the Dalits, the untouchables, Falling outside this system were the Dalits, the untouchables,
477 00:28:37,840 00:28:39,531 who, like Hori Lal, who, like Hori Lal,
478 00:28:39,585 00:28:43,800 were condemned to shovel the excrement of the higher castes. were condemned to shovel the excrement of the higher castes.
479 00:28:53,961 00:28:56,784 This is where I think Camus got it wrong. This is where I think Camus got it wrong.
480 00:28:57,066 00:29:00,167 Rather than accept fate, surely meaning is found Rather than accept fate, surely meaning is found
481 00:29:00,182 00:29:03,350 when we revolt against outrageous fortune? when we revolt against outrageous fortune?
482 00:29:07,219 00:29:10,198 - Mahendra? - Yes. - Very nice to meet you. - Mahendra? - Yes. - Very nice to meet you.
483 00:29:10,510 00:29:12,537 - Please come. - Thank you. - Please come. - Thank you.
484 00:29:16,303 00:29:18,573 TRANSLATION: When my father died, I was told that TRANSLATION: When my father died, I was told that
485 00:29:18,611 00:29:20,691 because there is no money in the family now, because there is no money in the family now,
486 00:29:20,722 00:29:22,959 you can't study any more. you can't study any more.
487 00:29:23,556 00:29:25,316 At that time I was very sad At that time I was very sad
488 00:29:25,323 00:29:29,075 because I had this dream from the start, I have to study. because I had this dream from the start, I have to study.
489 00:29:33,105 00:29:36,800 Like Hori Lal, Mahendra is a Dalit. Like Hori Lal, Mahendra is a Dalit.
490 00:29:37,640 00:29:40,299 His father died when he was 14 years old, His father died when he was 14 years old,
491 00:29:40,337 00:29:42,335 leaving the family penniless. leaving the family penniless.
492 00:29:42,455 00:29:45,876 Mahendra spent the next four years working as a bonded labourer, Mahendra spent the next four years working as a bonded labourer,
493 00:29:45,906 00:29:47,300 weaving saris. weaving saris.
494 00:29:48,257 00:29:51,243 But, unlike Sisyphus, Mahendra defied the gods But, unlike Sisyphus, Mahendra defied the gods
495 00:29:51,274 00:29:53,820 and threw his boulder away. and threw his boulder away.
496 00:29:55,522 00:29:58,638 TRANSLATION: I had to face so much discrimination in the society TRANSLATION: I had to face so much discrimination in the society
497 00:29:58,661 00:30:02,141 for being a Dalit that I felt education could be a good medium for being a Dalit that I felt education could be a good medium
498 00:30:02,148 00:30:04,464 to get out of the system. to get out of the system.
499 00:30:05,680 00:30:09,302 A lot of people in your position would probably have given up. A lot of people in your position would probably have given up.
500 00:30:09,821 00:30:12,624 I hugely admire you for not giving up, I hugely admire you for not giving up,
501 00:30:12,876 00:30:14,790 but what drove you at that time? but what drove you at that time?
502 00:30:16,807 00:30:19,337 TRANSLATION: I had always felt that I have to become TRANSLATION: I had always felt that I have to become
503 00:30:19,360 00:30:21,783 a part of the mainstream society. a part of the mainstream society.
504 00:30:25,082 00:30:28,266 And that is why I have this thing that I have to study a lot And that is why I have this thing that I have to study a lot
505 00:30:28,386 00:30:31,360 and earn money so that I can reach mainstream society. and earn money so that I can reach mainstream society.
506 00:30:36,297 00:30:39,588 Today, Mahendra is studying for a master's degree Today, Mahendra is studying for a master's degree
507 00:30:39,611 00:30:41,720 and wants to fight the Dalit cause - and wants to fight the Dalit cause -
508 00:30:41,745 00:30:45,840 help other boulder-rollers break free from their struggle. help other boulder-rollers break free from their struggle.
509 00:30:47,288 00:30:50,511 It is wonderful to see how an individual can bring himself It is wonderful to see how an individual can bring himself
510 00:30:50,517 00:30:53,870 out of poverty and downtrodden-ness. out of poverty and downtrodden-ness.
511 00:30:57,304 00:30:59,628 With Mahendra, we come closer to finding With Mahendra, we come closer to finding
512 00:30:59,651 00:31:01,754 at least one worthwhile meaning of life. at least one worthwhile meaning of life.
513 00:31:02,607 00:31:04,719 He is creating his own meaning, He is creating his own meaning,
514 00:31:04,839 00:31:06,478 but it has a deeper purpose, but it has a deeper purpose,
515 00:31:06,509 00:31:08,830 making a difference to others as well. making a difference to others as well.
516 00:31:11,164 00:31:13,359 We can find meaning in struggle, We can find meaning in struggle,
517 00:31:13,360 00:31:16,624 but we have to define our own meaning in our own struggle, but we have to define our own meaning in our own struggle,
518 00:31:16,639 00:31:18,712 not one dictated by the gods, not one dictated by the gods,
519 00:31:18,735 00:31:22,087 by authority or by accident of birth. by authority or by accident of birth.
520 00:31:35,149 00:31:37,404 So I think meaning is subjective, So I think meaning is subjective,
521 00:31:37,426 00:31:39,910 something personal we may not all agree on. something personal we may not all agree on.
522 00:31:40,405 00:31:44,893 But that shouldn't be an invitation to egotism or self-absorption. But that shouldn't be an invitation to egotism or self-absorption.
523 00:31:47,895 00:31:52,190 Here in northern India, Westerners still come in droves Here in northern India, Westerners still come in droves
524 00:31:52,375 00:31:56,560 in the hope of finding some deeper meaning in Eastern mysticism. in the hope of finding some deeper meaning in Eastern mysticism.
525 00:32:00,948 00:32:03,416 People go up mountains for refreshment, People go up mountains for refreshment,
526 00:32:03,432 00:32:05,430 they go up mountains for wisdom. they go up mountains for wisdom.
527 00:32:05,800 00:32:08,559 Moses went up Mount Sinai and came down Moses went up Mount Sinai and came down
528 00:32:08,679 00:32:11,390 with the tablets of traditional Hebrew wisdom. with the tablets of traditional Hebrew wisdom.
529 00:32:12,322 00:32:14,531 There are lots of people who come from all over the world There are lots of people who come from all over the world
530 00:32:15,042 00:32:17,438 to a place like this, up a mountain like this, to a place like this, up a mountain like this,
531 00:32:17,453 00:32:19,290 where there's a Tibetan monastery, where there's a Tibetan monastery,
532 00:32:19,410 00:32:21,901 seeking what they would call "spiritual wisdom". seeking what they would call "spiritual wisdom".
533 00:32:27,040 00:32:30,880 Geshe Lhakdor is a Master of Tibetan Buddhism. Geshe Lhakdor is a Master of Tibetan Buddhism.
534 00:32:31,131 00:32:34,571 He's the Dalai Lama's official translator and archivist. He's the Dalai Lama's official translator and archivist.
535 00:32:36,453 00:32:40,186 The complete teaching of the Buddha is aimed towards The complete teaching of the Buddha is aimed towards
536 00:32:40,209 00:32:42,860 transforming your mental outlook transforming your mental outlook
537 00:32:43,156 00:32:46,070 because the ultimate purpose is to remove because the ultimate purpose is to remove
538 00:32:46,092 00:32:48,264 all kinds of problems and sufferings. all kinds of problems and sufferings.
539 00:32:48,820 00:32:51,822 And problems and sufferings and disturbances And problems and sufferings and disturbances
540 00:32:51,822 00:32:55,664 cannot be removed by relying on external forces cannot be removed by relying on external forces
541 00:32:55,717 00:32:59,400 or external material sources, or your relatives and friends. or external material sources, or your relatives and friends.
542 00:32:59,520 00:33:03,039 At the end of the day, the real source of long-lasting peace At the end of the day, the real source of long-lasting peace
543 00:33:03,053 00:33:05,030 and happiness has to come from within. and happiness has to come from within.
544 00:33:07,327 00:33:08,432 For a Buddhist, For a Buddhist,
545 00:33:08,828 00:33:11,990 what matters is accepting that reality will always change. what matters is accepting that reality will always change.
546 00:33:12,942 00:33:15,464 To be happy in this changing reality, To be happy in this changing reality,
547 00:33:15,510 00:33:17,377 Buddhists teach that we must eliminate Buddhists teach that we must eliminate
548 00:33:17,392 00:33:19,647 our attachments to people and possessions. our attachments to people and possessions.
549 00:33:20,610 00:33:23,038 I sort of half understand that. I sort of half understand that.
550 00:33:26,740 00:33:29,292 They try to get that sense of direction or happiness They try to get that sense of direction or happiness
551 00:33:29,315 00:33:31,555 from material accumulation, from material accumulation,
552 00:33:31,563 00:33:34,786 from marriage, from wealth, from name, from marriage, from wealth, from name,
553 00:33:35,128 00:33:37,609 but in all these cases but in all these cases
554 00:33:37,922 00:33:41,080 here or there, they get a lot of problems, a lot of difficulties. here or there, they get a lot of problems, a lot of difficulties.
555 00:33:41,503 00:33:44,573 So do you think that we, in the West, are too materialistic So do you think that we, in the West, are too materialistic
556 00:33:44,604 00:33:45,808 in our way of life? in our way of life?
557 00:33:46,539 00:33:47,607 I think so. I think so.
558 00:33:47,727 00:33:49,150 To be honest, I think so. To be honest, I think so.
559 00:33:49,410 00:33:52,139 I think I would agree with you that one doesn't want to devote I think I would agree with you that one doesn't want to devote
560 00:33:52,146 00:33:56,876 one's life to accumulating material, hedonistic happiness... one's life to accumulating material, hedonistic happiness...
561 00:33:57,319 00:33:59,216 I'm not sure that I would look inward though. I'm not sure that I would look inward though.
562 00:33:59,336 00:34:02,828 I think I would I might get happiness from... I think I would I might get happiness from...
563 00:34:03,360 00:34:04,981 music and from science.... music and from science....
564 00:34:05,012 00:34:05,682 Exactly. Exactly.
565 00:34:05,735 00:34:07,817 Then you do something that is creative, Then you do something that is creative,
566 00:34:07,937 00:34:11,617 something that really satisfies your inner arts, you know. something that really satisfies your inner arts, you know.
567 00:34:11,640 00:34:15,021 Yes, but meditating and looking inwards doesn't sound to me Yes, but meditating and looking inwards doesn't sound to me
568 00:34:15,035 00:34:17,435 as though that's really doing that. Perhaps it helps... as though that's really doing that. Perhaps it helps...
569 00:34:17,448 00:34:18,854 Of course, of course. Of course, of course.
570 00:34:18,974 00:34:21,371 The peace and happiness, The peace and happiness,
571 00:34:21,387 00:34:23,870 the tranquillity that you get the tranquillity that you get
572 00:34:23,990 00:34:26,630 when you know how to stay alone and go within when you know how to stay alone and go within
573 00:34:26,750 00:34:28,869 cannot be measured by anything else. cannot be measured by anything else.
574 00:34:31,238 00:34:33,925 While I agree that an unhealthy consumerism While I agree that an unhealthy consumerism
575 00:34:33,941 00:34:37,209 dominates our lives today, how convincing is it dominates our lives today, how convincing is it
576 00:34:37,217 00:34:41,440 that we should detach ourselves from the real world through meditation? that we should detach ourselves from the real world through meditation?
577 00:34:47,884 00:34:51,694 The great minds we've looked at, Tolstoy, Greene and Camus, The great minds we've looked at, Tolstoy, Greene and Camus,
578 00:34:51,814 00:34:55,123 all stood out in deeply religious times. all stood out in deeply religious times.
579 00:34:55,641 00:34:58,919 But we are now at a point in history, in the West at least, But we are now at a point in history, in the West at least,
580 00:34:58,920 00:35:01,670 when more people than ever are atheist. when more people than ever are atheist.
581 00:35:02,382 00:35:05,300 So if we are finally shaking off the influence of God, So if we are finally shaking off the influence of God,
582 00:35:06,181 00:35:09,190 how nowadays do we find meaning? how nowadays do we find meaning?
583 00:35:09,381 00:35:12,817 I'm going to talk to an outspoken satirist of modern life. I'm going to talk to an outspoken satirist of modern life.
584 00:35:13,010 00:35:15,575 That's that. No. That's that. That's that. No. That's that.
585 00:35:15,695 00:35:17,458 Religion is that "nooooo!" Religion is that "nooooo!"
586 00:35:32,480 00:35:35,319 We've seen that there isn't a simple, single answer We've seen that there isn't a simple, single answer
587 00:35:35,320 00:35:38,119 to the meaning of life in a world without God. to the meaning of life in a world without God.
588 00:35:38,335 00:35:41,390 Meaning is something we need to carve out for ourselves. Meaning is something we need to carve out for ourselves.
589 00:35:44,216 00:35:46,115 We have to find our own meaning We have to find our own meaning
590 00:35:46,235 00:35:48,160 from the opportunities and challenges from the opportunities and challenges
591 00:35:48,160 00:35:49,905 that life throws our way, that life throws our way,
592 00:35:49,911 00:35:53,684 even if that does mean defying convention sometimes. even if that does mean defying convention sometimes.
593 00:35:54,080 00:35:57,974 I'm going to meet a man who has definitely defined his own way I'm going to meet a man who has definitely defined his own way
594 00:35:58,094 00:35:59,897 and made a huge success of it, and made a huge success of it,
595 00:35:59,904 00:36:02,990 but he has ruffled quite a few feathers in doing so. but he has ruffled quite a few feathers in doing so.
596 00:36:04,440 00:36:06,670 Thanks to everyone in the room for being good sports. Thanks to everyone in the room for being good sports.
597 00:36:06,693 00:36:09,603 Thanks to NBC. Thanks to Hollywood Foreign Press. Thanks to NBC. Thanks to Hollywood Foreign Press.
598 00:36:09,723 00:36:11,233 Um, thank you for watching at home. Um, thank you for watching at home.
599 00:36:11,698 00:36:15,340 And thank you to God for making me an atheist. And thank you to God for making me an atheist.
600 00:36:15,460 00:36:18,790 When I signed off the Golden Globes by saying... When I signed off the Golden Globes by saying...
601 00:36:19,353 00:36:22,000 and thanked God for making me an atheist, and thanked God for making me an atheist,
602 00:36:22,120 00:36:24,880 now, clearly, that was a play on words. now, clearly, that was a play on words.
603 00:36:25,000 00:36:27,679 Um, it was a little bit of a Um, it was a little bit of a
604 00:36:28,243 00:36:32,250 redressing the balance to everyone who thanks God for winning an award. redressing the balance to everyone who thanks God for winning an award.
605 00:36:32,547 00:36:34,147 I've never seen so much outrage I've never seen so much outrage
606 00:36:34,147 00:36:36,320 as thanking God for making me an atheist. as thanking God for making me an atheist.
607 00:36:36,326 00:36:37,964 Now, correct me if I'm wrong. Now, correct me if I'm wrong.
608 00:36:38,021 00:36:39,667 If God exists, If God exists,
609 00:36:39,663 00:36:41,096 He did make me an atheist, didn't he? He did make me an atheist, didn't he?
610 00:36:41,812 00:36:43,339 Didn't He? Why did He do that? Didn't He? Why did He do that?
611 00:36:43,354 00:36:44,848 I read about that. It was astonishing. I read about that. It was astonishing.
612 00:36:44,855 00:36:46,776 I mean, it really did cause outrage, did it? I mean, it really did cause outrage, did it?
613 00:36:46,930 00:36:49,328 You usually have to... You usually have to...
614 00:36:49,763 00:36:52,165 murder and eat someone murder and eat someone
615 00:36:52,285 00:36:54,387 to get that much publicity in America. to get that much publicity in America.
616 00:36:54,433 00:36:55,200 How funny. How funny.
617 00:36:55,218 00:36:55,839 Yeah. Yeah.
618 00:36:55,840 00:36:57,010 - How very funny. - Yeah. - How very funny. - Yeah.
619 00:36:57,130 00:37:00,543 When did you first realise that you didn't believe in God? When did you first realise that you didn't believe in God?
620 00:37:00,756 00:37:03,783 My next brother, Bob, when I was about eight... My next brother, Bob, when I was about eight...
621 00:37:03,903 00:37:06,065 He was 11 years older than me so he was about 19. He was 11 years older than me so he was about 19.
622 00:37:06,185 00:37:10,150 And I was drawing a picture of Jesus And I was drawing a picture of Jesus
623 00:37:10,332 00:37:11,880 for Bible studies for Bible studies
624 00:37:12,000 00:37:15,157 and he, er... He came in and he looked at it and he, er... He came in and he looked at it
625 00:37:15,203 00:37:16,605 and he went, and he went,
626 00:37:17,184 00:37:18,946 "Why do you believe in God?" "Why do you believe in God?"
627 00:37:19,066 00:37:20,821 And my mum went "Bob!" And my mum went "Bob!"
628 00:37:22,192 00:37:23,710 And I knew from body language. And I knew from body language.
629 00:37:24,775 00:37:28,080 Why didn't she even want the question? Why didn't she even want the question?
630 00:37:28,280 00:37:29,104 Oh. Oh.
631 00:37:29,224 00:37:30,490 She was hiding something from me. She was hiding something from me.
632 00:37:31,001 00:37:32,990 And I thought about it... And I thought about it...
633 00:37:33,110 00:37:34,376 and it all made sense. and it all made sense.
634 00:37:34,399 00:37:38,640 Then I started reading and, um, I've, er... Then I started reading and, um, I've, er...
635 00:37:38,836 00:37:41,114 I've been an atheist for 40 years. I've been an atheist for 40 years.
636 00:37:42,462 00:37:46,550 I love that some people mistake atheists for Satanists. I love that some people mistake atheists for Satanists.
637 00:37:46,733 00:37:47,754 Oh, yes. Oh, yes.
638 00:37:47,874 00:37:49,560 I go, "No, I don't believe in him either." I go, "No, I don't believe in him either."
639 00:37:49,575 00:37:52,272 He's just as ludicrous. I don't believe in him. He's just as ludicrous. I don't believe in him.
640 00:37:54,779 00:37:56,669 Why can't God sort out Satan? Why can't God sort out Satan?
641 00:37:57,339 00:38:01,232 Why can't he? He's all-powerful. What's he doing? What's he doing? Why can't he? He's all-powerful. What's he doing? What's he doing?
642 00:38:02,352 00:38:06,560 'So, why does a 21st-century British atheist get up in the morning?' 'So, why does a 21st-century British atheist get up in the morning?'
643 00:38:07,480 00:38:09,599 I think you have to have worth. I think you have to have worth.
644 00:38:09,600 00:38:12,590 I think you have to feel in yourself you have worth. I think you have to feel in yourself you have worth.
645 00:38:12,960 00:38:16,960 Friends, family, a loving relationship... Friends, family, a loving relationship...
646 00:38:17,360 00:38:18,629 Um... Um...
647 00:38:18,835 00:38:23,353 Just because we're human and that's how we're built. Just because we're human and that's how we're built.
648 00:38:23,574 00:38:26,307 And for me personally, something creative. And for me personally, something creative.
649 00:38:26,427 00:38:30,673 It doesn't have to be painting the Sistine Chapel. It doesn't have to be painting the Sistine Chapel.
650 00:38:31,054 00:38:32,562 It can be gardening, It can be gardening,
651 00:38:32,616 00:38:34,901 but I think you have to do something and enjoy it but I think you have to do something and enjoy it
652 00:38:35,724 00:38:39,200 and fill you free time and stand back and think, "I did that." and fill you free time and stand back and think, "I did that."
653 00:38:40,200 00:38:44,200 These are all reasons to stay around... These are all reasons to stay around...
654 00:38:45,067 00:38:46,120 for as long as you can. for as long as you can.
655 00:38:46,133 00:38:48,754 I would agree with all that, and I think I would add I would agree with all that, and I think I would add
656 00:38:48,874 00:38:50,453 "understanding" as well. "understanding" as well.
657 00:39:01,226 00:39:02,772 Religious believers tell me Religious believers tell me
658 00:39:02,788 00:39:06,391 they're puzzled that non-believers like Ricky Gervais and me they're puzzled that non-believers like Ricky Gervais and me
659 00:39:06,511 00:39:10,190 can find any meaning or purpose in a godless existence. can find any meaning or purpose in a godless existence.
660 00:39:12,212 00:39:15,390 But, for me, the world teems with meaning. But, for me, the world teems with meaning.
661 00:39:16,730 00:39:19,803 It is up to each of us to give our own lives meaning It is up to each of us to give our own lives meaning
662 00:39:19,826 00:39:22,340 through our work, our relationships, and passions, through our work, our relationships, and passions,
663 00:39:22,919 00:39:24,778 and, I think, through one other thing - and, I think, through one other thing -
664 00:39:25,040 00:39:27,081 understanding who we are, understanding who we are,
665 00:39:27,201 00:39:30,880 and trying to understand why we're here. and trying to understand why we're here.
666 00:39:32,823 00:39:35,499 That has been the mission of Western science, That has been the mission of Western science,
667 00:39:35,619 00:39:39,800 the most important tool I believe mankind has ever invented. the most important tool I believe mankind has ever invented.
668 00:39:41,520 00:39:44,116 For centuries, human eyes could see clearly For centuries, human eyes could see clearly
669 00:39:44,236 00:39:46,880 no further than only a few miles. no further than only a few miles.
670 00:39:47,000 00:39:50,599 Telescopes enabled our eyes to leap outwards, Telescopes enabled our eyes to leap outwards,
671 00:39:50,719 00:39:54,335 and see distant stars millions of miles away. and see distant stars millions of miles away.
672 00:39:54,680 00:39:56,034 Even better than that, Even better than that,
673 00:39:56,320 00:39:58,930 a telescope is a kind of time machine. a telescope is a kind of time machine.
674 00:39:59,160 00:40:02,799 Because it takes light so long to reach us from a distant star, Because it takes light so long to reach us from a distant star,
675 00:40:02,800 00:40:04,571 when you look at a distant star when you look at a distant star
676 00:40:04,840 00:40:07,003 you're looking backwards in time, you're looking backwards in time,
677 00:40:07,003 00:40:09,720 maybe hundreds of millions of years. maybe hundreds of millions of years.
678 00:40:09,840 00:40:11,999 And if you look at a distant galaxy, And if you look at a distant galaxy,
679 00:40:12,119 00:40:15,830 you may be looking at the origin of the universe itself. you may be looking at the origin of the universe itself.
680 00:40:16,200 00:40:20,726 You're looking at the very beginning of space and time - You're looking at the very beginning of space and time -
681 00:40:21,061 00:40:22,044 the Big Bang. the Big Bang.
682 00:40:34,212 00:40:37,976 Humanity's gaze has also turned towards inner space. Humanity's gaze has also turned towards inner space.
683 00:40:38,096 00:40:41,755 Microscopes have unlocked our understanding of the cells Microscopes have unlocked our understanding of the cells
684 00:40:41,762 00:40:43,759 that make up all living things that make up all living things
685 00:40:43,812 00:40:46,959 and revealed the world of the smallest and simplest organisms and revealed the world of the smallest and simplest organisms
686 00:40:47,408 00:40:49,390 around us and in us. around us and in us.
687 00:40:50,608 00:40:52,521 The new science of genetics The new science of genetics
688 00:40:52,528 00:40:55,202 has unexpectedly completely revolutionised has unexpectedly completely revolutionised
689 00:40:55,202 00:40:59,110 and unified our understanding of life on Earth. and unified our understanding of life on Earth.
690 00:40:59,964 00:41:02,631 Meanwhile, physics has discovered particles Meanwhile, physics has discovered particles
691 00:41:02,646 00:41:05,489 smaller by far even than the atom. smaller by far even than the atom.
692 00:41:05,609 00:41:07,561 And at laboratories like CERN, And at laboratories like CERN,
693 00:41:07,592 00:41:10,708 scientists studying the collisions of these particles scientists studying the collisions of these particles
694 00:41:10,997 00:41:12,871 are on the cusp of understanding are on the cusp of understanding
695 00:41:13,107 00:41:16,002 how the universe got started in the first place. how the universe got started in the first place.
696 00:41:19,408 00:41:24,270 The poet John Keats voiced what many people fear about science - The poet John Keats voiced what many people fear about science -
697 00:41:26,167 00:41:28,475 ..that, in explaining the world, it makes it... ..that, in explaining the world, it makes it...
698 00:41:28,506 00:41:32,483 less amazing, less extraordinary, somehow banal. less amazing, less extraordinary, somehow banal.
699 00:41:35,002 00:41:37,928 "Philosophy will clip an Angel's wings, "Philosophy will clip an Angel's wings,
700 00:41:38,446 00:41:41,966 "Conquer all mysteries by rule and line, "Conquer all mysteries by rule and line,
701 00:41:42,086 00:41:45,623 "Empty the haunted air and gnomed mine - "Empty the haunted air and gnomed mine -
702 00:41:45,743 00:41:48,480 "Unweave a rainbow." "Unweave a rainbow."
703 00:41:51,847 00:41:54,103 Keats could not have been more wrong. Keats could not have been more wrong.
704 00:41:54,223 00:41:56,790 Isaac Newton's unweaving of the rainbow Isaac Newton's unweaving of the rainbow
705 00:41:56,910 00:42:00,080 led directly to a massive deepening and widening led directly to a massive deepening and widening
706 00:42:00,200 00:42:02,350 of our understanding of the universe. of our understanding of the universe.
707 00:42:03,324 00:42:06,720 It led to James Clerk Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism It led to James Clerk Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism
708 00:42:06,920 00:42:10,920 and from there to Einstein's special theory of relativity. and from there to Einstein's special theory of relativity.
709 00:42:11,137 00:42:13,956 If you think the rainbow has poetic mystery, If you think the rainbow has poetic mystery,
710 00:42:14,076 00:42:16,120 you should try relativity. you should try relativity.
711 00:42:19,320 00:42:22,604 Science does the opposite of making things banal. Science does the opposite of making things banal.
712 00:42:22,724 00:42:27,655 It's about unleashing curiosity and uncovering more mysteries to solve. It's about unleashing curiosity and uncovering more mysteries to solve.
713 00:42:28,410 00:42:30,186 We take so much for granted, We take so much for granted,
714 00:42:30,306 00:42:34,600 we've become anaesthetised by our familiarity with what's around us. we've become anaesthetised by our familiarity with what's around us.
715 00:42:35,731 00:42:38,399 Science shakes off the anaesthetic Science shakes off the anaesthetic
716 00:42:38,400 00:42:42,400 and we look again with new and clearer eyes. and we look again with new and clearer eyes.
717 00:42:43,480 00:42:45,317 If you found a bramble in your garden, If you found a bramble in your garden,
718 00:42:45,347 00:42:47,572 you'd probably think it an annoying weed. you'd probably think it an annoying weed.
719 00:42:47,610 00:42:50,229 But like every other plant and every other animal, But like every other plant and every other animal,
720 00:42:50,349 00:42:53,597 it is an astonishing piece of natural engineering. it is an astonishing piece of natural engineering.
721 00:42:54,336 00:42:56,850 A leaf is a chemical factory. A leaf is a chemical factory.
722 00:42:56,970 00:43:00,891 It's a flat-roofed factory and on the flat roof are solar panels It's a flat-roofed factory and on the flat roof are solar panels
723 00:43:01,082 00:43:05,350 gathering sunlight to drive the machinery of the factory. gathering sunlight to drive the machinery of the factory.
724 00:43:06,430 00:43:09,618 There are wheels, almost literally wheels going round and round, There are wheels, almost literally wheels going round and round,
725 00:43:09,625 00:43:11,195 biochemical wheels, biochemical wheels,
726 00:43:11,315 00:43:13,719 driven by the energy from the sun driven by the energy from the sun
727 00:43:13,839 00:43:17,712 and manufacturing food for the plant - sugars. and manufacturing food for the plant - sugars.
728 00:43:18,124 00:43:20,288 And the sugars are then piped And the sugars are then piped
729 00:43:20,408 00:43:23,279 in this, what almost looks like a river system, in this, what almost looks like a river system,
730 00:43:23,399 00:43:25,428 into the central stem into the central stem
731 00:43:25,610 00:43:27,363 and into the rest of the plant. and into the rest of the plant.
732 00:43:27,393 00:43:30,548 That's where all the food for the plant comes from That's where all the food for the plant comes from
733 00:43:30,668 00:43:34,199 and even OUR food comes from that because we eat plants, and even OUR food comes from that because we eat plants,
734 00:43:34,200 00:43:36,279 or we eat animals that eat plants, or we eat animals that eat plants,
735 00:43:36,399 00:43:38,464 and so the energy that drives our bodies, and so the energy that drives our bodies,
736 00:43:38,479 00:43:40,521 every one of our trillions of cells every one of our trillions of cells
737 00:43:40,551 00:43:43,050 comes ultimately from the sun comes ultimately from the sun
738 00:43:43,170 00:43:45,458 and it flows down a river system and it flows down a river system
739 00:43:45,578 00:43:46,319 like this, like this,
740 00:43:46,334 00:43:48,750 ultimately into us. ultimately into us.
741 00:43:49,010 00:43:50,603 It gets even better - It gets even better -
742 00:43:50,723 00:43:53,760 the genetic code that's used by this plant the genetic code that's used by this plant
743 00:43:53,880 00:43:57,148 is the same as the one that's used by you. is the same as the one that's used by you.
744 00:43:57,268 00:44:00,162 Even 50% of the genes are the same. Even 50% of the genes are the same.
745 00:44:00,282 00:44:02,752 This plant is your cousin. This plant is your cousin.
746 00:44:03,423 00:44:05,510 Just a weed? Just a weed?
747 00:44:08,596 00:44:10,866 'Some people would say that the scientific view 'Some people would say that the scientific view
748 00:44:10,873 00:44:13,403 'is rather bleak and cold. Do you find it bleak?' 'is rather bleak and cold. Do you find it bleak?'
749 00:44:13,523 00:44:17,008 There's no God-fearing person of any religion There's no God-fearing person of any religion
750 00:44:17,335 00:44:18,425 who... who...
751 00:44:18,844 00:44:21,440 feels as much awe as me feels as much awe as me
752 00:44:21,623 00:44:23,070 as when I see... as when I see...
753 00:44:23,960 00:44:25,762 a mountain or a tree. a mountain or a tree.
754 00:44:25,815 00:44:26,593 Or the stars. Or the stars.
755 00:44:26,600 00:44:28,242 Or the stars. Or the stars.
756 00:44:28,362 00:44:30,155 Or, um... Or, um...
757 00:44:30,505 00:44:34,185 anything in science and nature and art. anything in science and nature and art.
758 00:44:34,370 00:44:36,776 And you and I are privileged to be here to enjoy it, And you and I are privileged to be here to enjoy it,
759 00:44:36,896 00:44:38,753 even if for a short time. even if for a short time.
760 00:44:39,004 00:44:40,950 That's a wonderful thought. That's a wonderful thought.
761 00:44:41,320 00:44:43,190 We cherish this life. We cherish this life.
762 00:44:44,987 00:44:47,021 It's sacred... It's sacred...
763 00:44:47,720 00:44:48,870 so enjoy it. so enjoy it.
764 00:44:50,160 00:44:51,852 This is all we've got and it's brilliant. This is all we've got and it's brilliant.
765 00:44:51,875 00:44:52,639 Make the most of it. Make the most of it.
766 00:44:52,640 00:44:53,406 - Make the most of it. - It's brilliant! - Make the most of it. - It's brilliant!
767 00:44:53,909 00:44:55,445 It's amazing! It's amazing!
768 00:45:02,495 00:45:04,470 We are lucky to be born. We are lucky to be born.
769 00:45:04,730 00:45:07,870 We win the lottery just in being here at all. We win the lottery just in being here at all.
770 00:45:08,240 00:45:11,464 Your unique identity is the result of one sperm Your unique identity is the result of one sperm
771 00:45:11,517 00:45:13,199 amongst hundreds of millions amongst hundreds of millions
772 00:45:13,200 00:45:17,566 fertilising one particular egg in one particular sexual exchange. fertilising one particular egg in one particular sexual exchange.
773 00:45:17,840 00:45:21,160 And the same lucky break had to favour your ancestors And the same lucky break had to favour your ancestors
774 00:45:21,280 00:45:24,470 in every generation back to the very beginning of life. in every generation back to the very beginning of life.
775 00:45:26,071 00:45:28,319 And we are luckier still as individuals And we are luckier still as individuals
776 00:45:28,319 00:45:30,475 to have been born NOW. to have been born NOW.
777 00:45:30,841 00:45:32,570 We have so much available to us - We have so much available to us -
778 00:45:33,271 00:45:35,780 possible only through the understanding possible only through the understanding
779 00:45:35,900 00:45:37,865 that science has already given us. that science has already given us.
780 00:45:38,360 00:45:41,301 Just look how far we've come in my lifetime - Just look how far we've come in my lifetime -
781 00:45:41,421 00:45:45,385 we've got life-saving medicine, super-computers, the internet. we've got life-saving medicine, super-computers, the internet.
782 00:45:46,581 00:45:50,633 We can travel further and faster, higher and deeper than ever before. We can travel further and faster, higher and deeper than ever before.
783 00:45:51,669 00:45:55,682 We constantly push at the frontiers of possibility. We constantly push at the frontiers of possibility.
784 00:45:56,147 00:45:58,395 Imagine what's still to come! Imagine what's still to come!
785 00:46:01,831 00:46:04,141 We are made by the laws of physics We are made by the laws of physics
786 00:46:04,261 00:46:07,670 working through four billion years of evolution. working through four billion years of evolution.
787 00:46:08,255 00:46:12,040 We have a brief window of life through which to see the universe We have a brief window of life through which to see the universe
788 00:46:12,160 00:46:14,710 and understand how we came to be in it. and understand how we came to be in it.
789 00:46:15,430 00:46:19,080 The truth may not always be comforting in the face of suffering, The truth may not always be comforting in the face of suffering,
790 00:46:19,430 00:46:22,584 but it has a majesty of its own. but it has a majesty of its own.
791 00:46:23,049 00:46:25,213 That's what I tell people when they ask me, That's what I tell people when they ask me,
792 00:46:25,480 00:46:28,177 "Why do you bother to get up in the mornings?" "Why do you bother to get up in the mornings?"
793 00:46:57,863 00:47:01,825 Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd