The Humanist Hour #66: Steve Wozniak and American teenage atheists

September 29, 2011 By 7 Comments

A new episode of the Humanist Hour is available for listening. Keep reading to find out about the guests on this month’s show.

In this month’s podcast, Todd Stiefel interviews Apple’s Co-Founder, author, and the 2011 recipient of the American Humanist Association’s Isaac Asimov Science award, Steve Wozniak about the importance of skepticism in today’s youth. Also, hear about the experience of two American teenagers who are out as atheists.

Segment 1: American teenage atheists

What happens when a secular student high school group volunteers to recite the pledge of allegiance before the morning announcements? Marshall Lynn, of Carrboro High School knows! Marshall is a member of the Carrboro High School Student Alliance of Rational Thinkers (START) which is part of the Secular Student Alliance.

Also, listen to the perspective of an atheist college student. Julie Mankowski shares her experience of growing up as an atheist and how that has affected her throughout her life. Attention Washington DC area freethinkers: help Julie reach her goal of starting an atheist student group at her school, George Washington University!

If you are a secular student who is looking to either join or start a student group at your school, contact the Secular Student Alliance.

Segment 2: Steve Wozniak aka “The Woz”

A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than thirty years, Steve Wozniak has helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products the Apple I and II and influenced the popular Macintosh. In 1976, Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer Inc. with Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer. The following year, he introduced his Apple II personal computer, featuring a central processing unit, a keyboard, color graphics, and a floppy disk drive. The Apple II was integral in launching the personal computer industry.

In 1981, he went back to UC Berkeley and finished his degree in electrical engineering/computer science. For his achievements at Apple Computer, Wozniak was awarded the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States in 1985, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators.

Through the years, Wozniak has been involved in various business and philanthropic ventures, focusing primarily on computer capabilities in schools and stressing hands-on learning and encouraging creativity for students. Making significant investments of both his time and resources in education, he adopted the Los Gatos School District, providing students and teachers with hands-on teaching and donations of state-of-the-art technology equipment. He founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and was the founding sponsor of the Tech Museum, Silicon Valley Ballet and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.

Wozniak currently serves as Chief Scientist for Fusion-IO and is a published author with the release of his New York Times best selling autobiography, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon, in September 2006 by Norton Publishing. His television appearances include reality shows Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and The Big Bang Theory.

Links from this month’s episode:

Music from this month’s episode (in order of appearance):

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  • Anonymous

    It seems it might be news to the interviewers or the young lady they interviewed, but some people don’t call themselves a “Humanist” to “sugar-coat” that they are an atheist. Some people (maybe a minority of those who attend local Humanist chapters) actually really appreciate the philosophy behind it and identify primarily with that philosophy.

    • Jes Constantine

      Hey sjhumanist! Thanks for listening and for commenting. Todd and I didn’t voice our opinions about what we call ourselves and why / why not because we were more interested in Julia’s thoughts on the matter. And if we had more time, we might have gotten into a friendly debate with Julia. ;) Maybe next time!

      We understand and love that many listeners and AHA members call themselves Humanists because they see it as a term that describes those philosophies and values that they DO believe in as opposed what they don’t believe in.

  • Thin-ice

    I’m sorry, but Woz is way too heavy on the “be skeptical of scientists” theme. Most conservative religious people (and their children) ALREADY are extremely skeptical of science. Political conservatives and many libertarians think science is a bad word. The LAST thing we need to do is re-inforce that.

    On the whole science is self-correcting, so things that scientists tell us are fairly reliable. It would be more helpful for our kids to learn the scientific method, and have more respect for scientists.

  • http://www.oktoberski.blogspot.com heavy hedonist

    Great to hear young people thinking, reasoning for themselves and not be afraid to set a precedent in their own lives. Gives me hope that maybe someday ‘atheist’ won’t be treated as a 4-letter word.

  • http://www.oktoberski.blogspot.com heavy hedonist

    Let me add, thanks to the Woz for his idea that choosing a team can be harmful to the larger development….

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