Talking in his usual plain-speaking style, John Watkinson gave an impressive RTS Thames Valley Christmas lecture, taking in philosophy, science, faith and morals.
Watkinson is the author of technical television industry books such as The Art of Digital Video.
Leaving TV to one side, Watkinson discussed the seemingly apparent conflicts of religion and philosophy, and went on to demonstrate the importance of scientific rigour based on logically proven truths.
He warned: “Be permanently aware [that] you can mislead yourself. Science is a set of descriptions of how things are; science describes, it doesn’t explain.”
Watkinson used information theory to demonstrate how knowledge can only be exchanged between conscious beings, and then went on to cite thermodynamics to prove that the brain must have energy to attain consciousness.
Concluding with a philosophical tribute to all positive free thinkers, Watkinson said: “There is no such thing as a failed experiment – they never fail. Unexpected results should be published.”
