On a new ID the Future episode, Robert Crowther sits down with Robert Marks for a typically engaging and enlightening conversation. Dr. Marks is Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baylor University. His most recent book is Introduction to Evolutionary Informatics, co-authored with William Dembski and Winston Ewert. Marks makes, among other provocative points, the observation that Elon Musk of Tesla, SpaceX, and PayPal fame must be considered a proponent of intelligent design.

Admittedly, that may come as a surprise to Elon Musk, and not necessarily a pleasant one. But I think Marks defends the argument with a certain persuasive mischievousness. Also on the podcast, Dr. Marks explains why computers will never achieve consciousness or human understanding. Download or listen to it here.

Photo: Elon Musk, by JD Lasica, via Flickr.