Scientific Illiteracy and the Partisan Takeover of Biology

National Center for Science Education ^ | 18 April 2006 | Staff

[LibertarianSchmoe]

I somewhat agree with you. I think American education is being rent by the extreme right and the extreme left. But if you follow these threads enough, it's clear that the issue has nothing to do with evolution. It's more a case of "science is threatening my fragile religious beliefs". It's happened before; it'll happen again.

[Right Wing Professor]

How do you know this? Were you there at the time?

ROFL!

Sorry, you just entered the self-parody domain. My work here is done!

[freedumb2003]

But, as an agnostic, I am very, very disturbed by the vitriolic fervor with which anyone who believes otherwise is attacked. I never see the pro-evolutionists reasoning calmly with the evidence on their side, but rather, storming around like the villagers in Young Frankenstein, relying on inflamed passions and demagoguery.

Excellent observation.

It can't be an "observation" is it has never been "observed." This is an unfounded allegation. Evos (much more than CRIDers IMHO) are patient and do argue with the facts on our side. CRIDers, by definition, have no "facts" on their side -- just belief.

[colorado tanker]

Science isn't my field, but the more I learn the more awe-inspiring I find the universe.

BTW, it isn't just conservatives who sometimes have a taste for junk science - how about the population bomb, silent spring (DDT), global warming and junk science for the litigation lottery?

[Diamond]

My contention is that a film or videotape (call it what you will) constitutes a satisfactory demonstration of motion. Similarly, I contend that the fossil record constitutes a satisfactory demonstration of common descent.

I have no quarrel with the contention that a film demonstrates motion, not by mere definition, but because the definition comprehends what is taking place with the still pictures. If a film is to be seen motion itself is necessary. Motion is one of the properties of a film, at least one that is being seen.

But you called universal common descent "evidence", and I maintain that it is not evidence, but an an attempt to explain the evidence you refer to here, i.e., the fossil record. If universal common descent is true simply by definition then there is no conceivable fact of the fossil record that could possibly persuade you otherwise.

Cordially,

[js1138]

CRIDers, by definition, have no "facts" on their side -- just belief.

Old-Mil hasn't had much to say since he was called out for equating the "hopeful Monster" with punctuated equilibrium. It's one thing for the quote miners to do this, quite another for some who knows better.

[js1138]

CRIDers, by definition, have no "facts" on their side -- just belief.

Old-Mil hasn't had much to say since he was called out for equating the "hopeful Monster" with punctuated equilibrium. It's one thing for the quote miners to do this, quite another for some who knows better.

[dread78645]

#4 can live here in the Rockies.

I like Texas and I ain't moving!

[From many - one.]

Scientific theories are in, of course.

Notions, hypotheses (do you know the difference from theories?), propaganda and religion are out.

[Right Wing Professor]

Let me just add that the L-GLO is an abbreviation for L gulonolactone oxidase. Like most enzymes, it's named for its function, which is to oxidize L-gulonolactone. To claim its original function is unknown is therefore bizarre. It has a common function all across the animal kingdom.

[furball4paws]

Well, then you can join our Libertarian friend and be a minority of 2.

Nobody wants to tackle the question, though.

[freedumb2003]

Dreaded double post :)

Yep, slowly but surely people are being hoisted on their patards. I am still waiting for links that show evos are impatient.

[From many - one.]

Miss Pie,
You appear to have missed the boat on democracy as well as science.

The system in place is precisely what the majority wants until it votes otherwise.

A patriotic American scientist

[js1138]

Dreaded double post :)

I'm just starting to use the google toolbar spell checker. It does strange things if you try to post while it's displaying the results of the check.

[Diamond]

Ridicule and dismisal will not be persuasive in lieu of a demonstration of full and complete human knowledge of the history of a subject organism and all relevant mechanisms of mutation and probabilities of same. Absent such a demonstration, said assumptions are a necessary part of Darwinian theory, but assumptions nonetheless.

Cordially,

[LibertarianSchmoe]

Science isn't my field, but the more I learn the more awe-inspiring I find the universe.

I couldn't agree more, and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a scientist who doesn't share that sentiment.

it isn't just conservatives who sometimes have a taste for junk science

Without a doubt! That was the rending of which I spoke in my previous post. Pseudo-science and political correctness are wreaking havoc on the young minds of this country.

[js1138]

You are assuming, of course, that anything outside your personal consciousness actually exists.

[TaxRelief]

Actually, the term "evomaniacs" refers not to true scientists, but rather to the self-educated, cult-like followers of "evomania".

[Old_Mil]

There is no higher category for a theory to go in science.

Certainly there is. It is called a "scientific law", and is defined as "a statement describing an observed regularity." It is only when a statement of science reaches such a level that it represents scientific fact.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"Ridicule and dismisal will not be persuasive in lieu of a demonstration of full and complete human knowledge of the history of a subject organism and all relevant mechanisms of mutation and probabilities of same. Absent such a demonstration, said assumptions are a necessary part of Darwinian theory, but assumptions nonetheless."

Essentially, *Were you there??!* but with more words.