Following the publication of Dr. Michael Denton’s groundbreaking new book, Evolution: Still A Theory in Crisis, a new 22-minute documentary featuring his work will premiere in May. Fire-Maker: How Humans Were Designed to Harness Fire and Transform Our Planet explores an aspect of our everyday lives that we tend to take for granted: fire. See the trailer here:
Denton explains that, despite how commonplace it seems, fire defines life as we know it, and our mastery of it was one of the greatest turning points in human history. As cultures around the world have recognized, fire is the key to human creativity. The documentary makes a two-pronged argument: that Earth is the only planet where fire can be harnessed, and that humans are the only creatures who are prepared to harness it.
Denton notes the conspicuous coincidence that the Earth not only allows fire to be harnessed, but is filled with materials with capacities that can be unlocked by fire. In the film, he explores many day-to-day aspects of our existence that we take wholly for granted, but which Denton believes are clues pointing us to a better understanding of our place in the cosmos.
Join us in Seattle on May 3 for the premiere of Fire-Maker, followed by a live Q&A with Dr. Denton. The film will release on May 18.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 3, 7:30 pm
WHERE: Demaray Hall 150, Seattle Pacific University
Registration: Due to limited space, registration is required.
This newest documentary dovetails with an earlier documentary featuring Denton, Privileged Species, which was broadcast on cable and satellite television, released on DVD and Blu-ray, and has been viewed more than 45,000 times in its first 12 months on YouTube. Together these two documentaries provide a powerful challenge to the notion that Earth and humanity are neither special nor unique. On the contrary, Denton suggests that they are exceptional.