Skeptic: Examining Extraordinary Claims and Promoting Science
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Episode Notes for
YEC and Beowulf
It’s verse than you think
THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE the Earth is only about 6000 years old. They believe that the evidence for this is all in the Bible, but as we’ve discussed on MonsterTalk before, they still seek confirmatory evidence from other works. So it was only a matter of time before someone suggested that the epic poem Beowulf helps prove that (a) the earth is indeed very, very young and (b) that the monsters in the poem Beowulf were dinosaurs. Hard to believe? Tune in as we talk to skeptic and Humanities researcher Eve Siebert about the most surprising interpretation of this classic story you’re likely to hear.
Eve Siebert has a Ph.D. in English literature, specializing in Old and Middle English with secondary concentrations in Old Norse and Shakespeare. She is a frequent contributor to www.skepticalhumanities.com and her article about Beowulf and Creationists will appear in Skeptical Inquirer. Check out virtualskeptics.com, “a weekly web series featuring a panel of know-somethings who bring you news and discussion of topics of interest to skeptics. The show is recorded live on Google On Air at 8:00PM Eastern every Wednesday.”
Also, check out Blake Smith’s pro fiction debut: Weird Tales #360, featuring a short story by MonsterTalk host Blake Smith.
Music
- Monstertalk Theme: Monster by Peach Stealing Monkeys
The views expressed on this program are not necessarily the views of the Skeptics Society or Skeptic magazine.
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