Richard Dawkins stands and talks with Wendy Wright

Wow. Where to begin. I think what makes this interview remarkable (and I haven't even watched past Part 1/7) is the way it's staged. It reminds me of the unsteadied, hyper-realistic quality that modern sitcoms have—where the line between reality TV and the traditional sitcom is blurred to the point where now, not only are the cameras shaky—reminding us there are operators behind them—but it almost seems normal to have an actor turn and face the the viewer in furtive acknowledgment, or for a confessional aside.

The participants in this interview do not do this. In fact, their ability to ignore the camera is astounding. But, it's clear both players—especially the perma-pleasant, plastic faced, crazy-eyed Wendy Wright—are aware they are making a media appearance.

Meta critique aside, this interview—while being viewer crack like a sitcom—is a momentous example of the cultural divide between Faith and Reason. A distillation of the all-cliched debate between a hard-nosed, incredulous (and in this case, admirably accommodating) scientist, and a hard-line, provincial, painfully oblivious, psychologically walled-off, unable-to-see-past-her-own-nose, faith-head.

It's the sort of thing where if you encountered it at a cocktail party, you might roll your eyes and kindly steer your date toward more promising company. Or perhaps (depending on your temperament) you might just shrink and repel from the ungodly awkwardness.

Of course, there's always those doting spectators who linger quietly on the periphery. Easy enough to be one of those on the internet.

Okay back to the fireworks (Part 2/7).