[SirJohnBarleycorn]

Miller has been asking adults if "human beings, as we know them, developed from earlier species of animals" since 1985. He and his colleagues purposefully avoid using the now politically charged word "evolution" in order to determine whether people accept the basics of evolutionary theory

Miller has an extremely condescending opinion toward Americans if he thinks they are too stupid to understand he is talking about "evolution" when he asks if humans "developed from earlier species of animals"

[droptone]

Miller has an extremely condescending opinion toward Americans if he thinks they are too stupid to understand he is talking about "evolution" when he asks if humans "developed from earlier species of animals"

It isn't a matter of stupidity, it's a matter of valid polling techniques. The purpose of the phrasing is to rule out any immediate non-rational response to the word "evolution". If you really want some psychological studies on the effects of phrasing on memory recall (and the accuracy of those memories) then I can post some later today. But basically the issue is that certain words have varying connotations depending on who you ask, so if you can accurately rephrase the word into some non-connotative phrase then you are more likely to get a more accurate return from your sample.

[Raycpa]

Miller has an extremely condescending opinion toward Americans

You dare question the new priesthood?

[Physicist]

It is possible to take the position of accepting common descent while rejecting Darwinism. Indeed, the current debate hinges on this nicety. By phrasing the question this way, it tests whether the subjects reject the evidence (common descent), rather than just the interpretation (natural selection).

[Ben Chad]

Miller has an extremely condescending opinion toward Americans if he thinks they are too stupid to understand he is talking about "evolution" when he asks if humans "developed from earlier species of animals"

Ha! Watch a few episodes of "Jay-walking" and get back to us.

[Dimensio]

Miller has an extremely condescending opinion toward Americans if he thinks they are too stupid to understand he is talking about "evolution" when he asks if humans "developed from earlier species of animals"

Given that there are a number of individuals -- even here -- who seem to believe that evolution involves the origin of the first life forms, the formation of solar systems and planets and even the Big Bang itself, I would say that his phrasing it appropriately cautious.