The Privileged Planet

Rating:
Summary: ID video Not to Be Missed
Review: The Privileged Planet is a new ID video documentary that is a "must buy" for Lord of the Rings fans--if for no other reason than to listen to the 60 minutes of narration by John Rhys-Davis (the courageous and lovable dwarf known as Gimli). The deep distinctive Gimli accent, combined with the big symphony music, amazing space photography, ground-breaking computer animations of the universe, and recent scientific revelations make this an inspirational, as well as an educational, experience.

Today, most scientists and philosophers claim that Earth is an ordinary speck of dust adrift, without purpose or significance, in a vast cosmic sea. This idea (popularized by the late astronomer Carl Sagan) is an outgrowth of the naturalistic philosophy that has dominated science for the past 150 years. Yet, remarkable evidence-unveiled by contemporary astronomy and physics-may now tell a very different story.

Building upon the overwhelming success of Unlocking the Mystery of Life (widely acclaimed as the most effective refutation of Darwinian theory ever produced), and based on the recent book by astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez and philosopher Jay Richards, this hour-long documentary explores the scientific evidence for intelligent design and purpose in the universe. In the process, Earth is revealed as far more than the product of time, chance, and random natural processes.

We now know that a rare and finely-tuned array of factors makes Earth suitable for complex life. We depend on our planet's oxygen-rich atmosphere, its large moon, its planetary neighbors, and its precise location within the solar system and Milky Way galaxy. But the story does not end here. For the same factors that make a planet like Earth hospitable to life also provide the best conditions for scientific discovery.

Is this correlation merely a coincidence? Or does it point to a deeper truth about the purpose of the cosmos and the reality of a transcendent designer? The answer could dramatically affect 21st century science.

Through stunning computer animation, interviews with leading scientists, and spectacular images of Earth and the cosmos, The Privileged Planet explores a startling connection between our capacity to survive and our ability to observe and understand the universe. A connection that points directly to the work of a creative mind and plan.

The DVD edition includes several bonus features that make this product a valuable teaching tool including 1) an animated journey from the Earth to the outer limits of the universe, 2) a special feature on the search for potentially habitable worlds, 3) Q&A session with several of the scientists featured in the video, 4) spectacular views of our planet as documented by astronauts and satellites, and 5) a reference list of books by scientists and scholars featured in the documentary. The animated journey to the edge of the universe alone is worth the price of this video as a valuable teaching tool to help students visualize the immense size and amazing structure of the universe.


Rating:
Summary: DANGEROUS!!! We can't have dissent!
Review: From the folks at Illustra Media comes their latest nail in the coffin of exhausted theories on the evolutionary process.

Its a pretty big nail too.

This is the first well produced video that I've seen on the concept of the Anthropic Principle, the observation that our habitable earth...is just a little too perfect for life to exist when compared to the rest of the known Universe.

I'm pleased to see Dr. VanMeurs doctoral dissertation of a review on a video he's apparently never seen.

So for everybody else...here's a review by someone who HAS watched the video.

Very well produced and digitally filmed. The graphic presentations are excellent and near the level of the first edition in this series.

The scientists interviewed are very articulate and not out to bash you with the concept of "God" but to point out that the concept of our Universe actually teeming with life... is something that seems to fly in the face of the known facts.

FOR EXAMPLE: If we just took the space between Alpha Centauri and the star we call our Sun (about 4.3 light years) there seems to be only about a 2 mile layer of atmosphere that is known to be habitable by humans, without the aid of some sort of equipment.

Most of the video spends its time on the major points of the Anthropic Principle...right kind of sun, location in the solar system, location in the galaxy, atmosphere, presence of water...etc.

I wish there had been more video of the earth's landscapes used...simply because our earth is beautiful...and the respect this video gives it is breathtaking.

I found myself being in awe of the minuscule proportion of my existence as compared to the rest of the universe, yet somehow trying to figure out in all that space...why so little of it is accessible to a human being and why are we concsious of this fact?

The video should be an excellent starting point to start any discussion on the eternal question... "Why?"

Its been said that the Intelligent Design movement is dangerous. Dangerous to who? Those who have the most to lose in a debate I guess. Those who have no answer to the "Why?"

One technical flaw...on the bonus features, one of the pages on the Q & A section has no picture...but still works.

Rating:
Summary: Awe Inspiring
Review: Top notch, first rate production! The presentation produced the same feelings of awe, wonder, and excitement about the universe that Carl Sagan's series used to evoke.

Visually stunning and greatly thought provoking. And most refreshing, not a lightweight treatment of the ideas - the theories of mediocrity and priveledge as to our place in the cosmos are covered completely; no strawman here!

Get this one and Unlocking the Secrets of Life together; I've bought over five copies of each as gifts with no disappointments or returns.

Rating:
Summary: extremely edifying -- commend it to all people!
Review: Very entertaining and information-packed and professionally produced. Good enough and significant enough that if one were to see but one movie in a lifetime, "The Privileged Planet" would be a good choice!

Gives many reasons, especially from the relatively new discipline of astrobiology, that confirm the properties of our physical universe, and especially our planet earth, are uniquely "fine tuned" to be able to support intelligent life. Shows how our precise "position" in the universe and its particular laws of physics and chemistry -- with their particular and precise mathematical constants and constraints -- have been exceedingly helpful not only to support intelligent life but also for our ability to "see" the properties of our solar system, our galaxy and the structure and properties of our universe as a whole.

Among other things, the presentation shows how full solar eclipses caused by the unique size and particular orbital relationship with our unique moon enable us to conveniently discover much -- first about our sun and then about the rest of universe.

The presentation lets the facts themselves "cry out" -- "Creator"! -- apparently an intelligent Designer that wants man to be able to study and understand His handiwork! No particular religious view is advanced, though the historical thread of the presentation confirms that the belief in a rational universe created and governed by a Lawgiver did lead to the genesis of "modern science".

I commend this presentation to the vital education of every person!

Rating:
Summary: One OUTSTANDING Documentary!
Review: Viewing audiences will be treated to an intriguing discussion about the possibility of detecting purpose or design in nature. The movie summarizes and illustrates key points of "The Privileged Planet" hypothesis that was first presented by Astrobiologist Guillermo Gonzalez and Philosopher Jay Richards in their superb book of the same title. It functions as a wonderful companion to the book and also stands upon its own as an enjoyable, first-rate film.

"The Privileged Planet" contains stellar animation and good accompanying music. The film features the unforgettable John Rhys-Davies (from Indiana Jones and LOTR fame) as narrator, and his incredible voice captivates you from the opening moments of the movie.

The film also includes several other scientists (such as Paul Davies, Donald Brownlee, Robert Jastrow and Seth Shostak), who provide background information on scientific discoveries and also chime in with their respective points of view. The DVD also contains plenty of worthwhile special features, including a fun Q&A section.

Viewing audiences will be treated to an intriguing discussion about the possibility of detecting purpose or design in nature. This film has the advantage of presenting such ideas in the context of physics, astronomy and astrobiology-so there is none of the rancor that generally accompanies the discussion of such ideas in biology. It is very refreshing, indeed.

This is a delightful film, with serious intellectual substance and high production values. It is highly recommended!

(This reviewer is a staff member of the Center for Science & Culture. However, I became intrigued by the hypothesis prior to any working relationship with CSC.)