Last Updated on 2022-07-08 by Joop Beris
Back in 1993, Dutch broadcaster VPRO produced a 7 part documentary series entitled “A wonderful accident” (“Een schitterend ongeluk”). It featured eminent scientists/philosophers Oliver Sacks, Rupert Sheldrake, Daniel C. Dennett, Stephen Toulmin, Stephen J. Gould and Freeman Dyson. The series dealt with ethics in life science and what the 6 interviewees considered to be the fruits of science at the closing of the 20th century. The first 6 of 7 programs each concentrated on one of the 6 men and the 7th program brought all 6 of them together for a round table discussion under the moderation of Wim Kayzer.
I remember watching this series and being in awe of these men and their ideas and insights. It’s one of my favourite TV programs of all time.
I’ve found it on Youtube and thought I’d share it with you all. One caveat: should you be in the Netherlands, you can’t watch it because the VPRO prefers you to buy their DVD of this program instead of watching it for free on Youtube. Of course there are ways around that. Shame on you VPRO, for your outdated idea of regional blocking on the global Internet. You claim to support honest curiosity and all.
Without further ado, here is the full series as a playlist for you. Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL3C-gVusyE&index=1&list=PL3n77ebp958chepVDiu27LxffaUAHP6yx