Suggestions for fascinating video interviews?

June 9, 2012 8:48 PM

I've seen (practically) every video of Richard Feynman and Steve Jobs in existence. I am fascinated and learn something new every time I watch one. What else should I watch? Who else would I enjoy?
posted by davezor to society & culture (16 answers total)

I feel odd answering this because part of this answer is also driven by what topics you enjoy and your level of background for the respective field.

Nonetheless, as someone who searches for live (and online) lectures and if I enjoy it, watch it over and over again:

- Recent material on big bang research. This presentation in its entirety from the World Science Festival was absolutely incredible and brought together leaders in this field. More on this lecture here (click replay if you want to see it).

-If you like the above,then you probably would get a kick out of other science lectures from past World Science Festivals.These lectures in their entirely are on the cosmos, but look at the bar on that page and click on the mind,life, earth, or those topics if you find it more interesting.Same idea, big researchers in the field brought together to discuss topic X.

-Just throwing the names out of other people who I sometimes watch over and over again if I can find them: Carl Sagan (you can find some of his Cosmos series online,although it may be a bit dated.) Also Neil deGrasse Tyson.

-The Asimov Debates are also really interesting- they bring together researchers each year and the discuss topics. Just google asimov debates online and you should find stuff(I randomly found the last debate here).
posted by Wolfster at 9:20 PM on June 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

Without doubt the most interesting speaker I know of is writer David Milch, though he mostly talks about writing and art and the idea of being an artist. I've memorized his five 2007 hour-long lectures I've listened to them so many times.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 9:51 PM on June 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

Daniel Dennett.
posted by painquale at 11:55 PM on June 9, 2012 [2 favorites]

Robert Sapolsky, a primatologist, neurobiologist, writer, teacher, stress expert, and a friend to baboons. I posted about him here; not everything is video, but there are quite a few on the list.
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:51 AM on June 10, 2012

Nathan Myhrvold and Grant Achatz, if you can work up any interest in food.
posted by BibiRose at 4:14 AM on June 10, 2012

I also came in to suggest Robert Sapolsky.
posted by that girl at 4:36 AM on June 10, 2012

The Long Now Foundation's Seminars About Long Term Thinking are often very good.
posted by b1tr0t at 7:18 AM on June 10, 2012 [1 favorite]

Joseph Campbell. A bunch of his lectures/series are on Netflix and Youtube. He sorta hits me the same way Feynman does.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:09 AM on June 10, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sam Harris.
posted by aloysius on the mixing boards at 8:36 AM on June 10, 2012

Robert Wright interviewing Daniel Dennett was a real hoot.
posted by Chekhovian at 8:41 AM on June 10, 2012

And pretty much all of 60 Minutes is online through the CBS website. That's pretty much the original "interesting interviews" show.
posted by Chekhovian at 8:42 AM on June 10, 2012

Buckminster Fuller is a compelling thinker, and fascinating speaker. A deep, beautiful mind.
posted by dbiedny at 9:09 AM on June 10, 2012

There's also the @Google talks, which are always pretty good.
posted by Chekhovian at 11:59 AM on June 10, 2012

Do you already scour TED Talks?
posted by Lifeson at 12:34 PM on June 10, 2012

Connections with Jim Burke
posted by hellojed at 9:37 PM on June 10, 2012

*James Burke
posted by hellojed at 9:37 PM on June 10, 2012 [1 favorite]