Watch Flock of Dodos

Flock of Dodos is a feature-length documentary film from 2006 that explores one of the most controversial debates in modern science – the controversy between evolution and intelligent design. Produced and directed by Randy Olson, the film features interviews with scientists, educators, and activists from both sides of the debate, as well as with ordinary people who have strong opinions on the issue.

The film takes its title from the phrase "a flock of dodos," which is used to describe a group or movement that is doomed to failure or extinction, much like the dodo bird. The film argues that the intelligent design movement is just such a "flock of dodos" that is destined to fail in its attempt to challenge the overwhelming scientific evidence for evolution.

The film is structured around a series of interviews with supporters of intelligent design, including Michael Behe, a biochemist and professor of biological sciences at Lehigh University, and John Calvert, the founder of the Intelligent Design Network. These interviews are interspersed with scenes of Olson traveling across the country to speak with scientists, educators, and activists who support evolution.

One of the main themes of the film is the idea that the intelligent design movement is a misguided attempt to inject religious views into the science classroom. The film argues that intelligent design is not a scientific theory, but rather a worldview that seeks to undermine the theory of evolution by presenting an untestable hypothesis that involves the intervention of an intelligent designer.

One of the key arguments made by proponents of intelligent design is that certain features of living organisms, such as the eye or the bacterial flagellum, are too complex to have evolved through natural selection alone. However, the film argues that these arguments are based on a flawed understanding of evolution and that there is overwhelming evidence to support the theory of evolution.

Throughout the film, Olson uses humor and satire to skewer the arguments of intelligent design proponents. For example, he employs animations of cartoon dodos to represent the movement, and he uses clips from the film Jurassic Park to debunk the notion that an intelligent designer is necessary for the creation of complex organisms.

The film also explores the role of the media in shaping public opinion on the issue. Olson argues that the media has done a poor job of accurately reporting on the debate, often presenting the views of the two sides as if they are equally valid. The film includes interviews with journalists who admit that they are not well-versed in the science behind the debate and who have struggled to accurately portray the arguments of both sides.

Despite its light-hearted tone, Flock of Dodos raises serious questions about the proper role of science in society and the dangers of allowing religious beliefs to influence scientific inquiry. The film ultimately argues that the intelligent design movement is a sideshow that distracts us from the real scientific questions that we should be grappling with.

In conclusion, Flock of Dodos is a thought-provoking and entertaining documentary that explores the controversy between evolution and intelligent design. The film is well-crafted, using humor and satire to engage viewers while also presenting a compelling argument for the importance of science in modern society.

Flock of Dodos is a 2006 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.