Darwinism must die so that evolution can live

[davo]

Interesting article pointing out that focussing on Darwinism is ignoring 150 years of evolutionary discovery

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/science/10essa.html?_r=1

[SchizoDeluxe]

I wouldn't say it ignores it but it does sometimes take away a bit from all that we have found since his discovery. He's a pioneer, a genius and a revolutionary in his field and without him, well who knows where we would be in science but we have certaintly discovered a lot more since his time. The way the author there described it almost sounded like darwinism was a religion of some kind. Dangerous road but we also cannot forget the path he forged for us all.

[davo]

Oh yea for sure, I also think he has a point, where a lot of the discoveries since then, that build on evolution, are continually overlooked, by both sides, in favour of the simplicity of the grounding of the theory.

When he speaks of 'darwinism', I read it that he was referring to that .. the tendency to emphasise darwin, and overlooking the whole path of evolutionary discovery and just focussing on the beginning.

[Duffy]

I think the article raised a few good points but I wonder if anyone outside the scientic community would care. I think most people would accept that he had scientific peers also doing great work and that science has advanced considerably since the 1850s. Charles Darwin is not only the poster child for evolution but as role model for realist thinking that has led so many out of the religious dark ages.

[Evil Doer]

This article also appeared on Slashdot.

The overwhelming response is that no evolutionary biologist actually call it "Darwinism". The closest is "Darwinian evolution". The same as we say "Newtonian" or "Einsteinian" gravitation.

I just want to add that, yes, there has been 150 years of development in biology, but the really fundamental parts of Darwinian evolution has only become more supported by these developments.

As has been mentioned many times before, most of the debates currently are about the mechanisms of evolution and layout of portions of the tree of life. Natural selection being the main thrust of Darwinian evolution, rather than heredity of acquired traits in Lamarckian evolution, has only been bolstered by 150 years of development. As Richard Dawkins and many others rightly point out, "Mendelian" genetics" and "Punctuated equilibria" were actually predicted by Darwin himself and does not actually represent an overhaul of "Classic Darwinian" evolution as their supporters hope.

[Duffy]

As Richard Dawkins and many others rightly point out, "Mendelian" genetics" and "Punctuated equilibria" were actually predicted by Darwin himself and does not actually represent an overhaul of "Classic Darwinian" evolution as their supporters hope.

whoa what was that flying over my head?:confused:

Just joking Evil One, and don't bother with the explanations. Unless it comes with stick figure diagrams I wouldn't understand it anyway. :D

[Evil Doer]

whoa what was that flying over my head?:confused:

Just joking Evil One, and don't bother with the explanations. Unless it comes with stick figure diagrams I wouldn't understand it anyway. :D

I wasn't directing my post at anyone actually. I just remembered those points being made in the article and else where.

[Duffy]

I wasn't directing my post at anyone actually. I just remembered those points being made in the article and else where.

No I didn't think your post was directed at me. It was my dumb way of showing awe for science speak. My hats are definitely off to anyone that can understand physics and the like. Its not that I don't try but it always sounds like this:

'Common blah blah algorithms blah blah dynamic programming algorithm blah blah Ukkonen algorithm use quadratic space blah blah two strings'

Did he say two strings? Is he talking about shoe laces? 'Hey Honey...the guy on telly is saying something scientific about shoe laces... clever buggers those scientists.';)

[davo]

Oh Duffy how do i make teenagers clean up after themselves :(
Came home to a bombsite after trying to talk to them last night about just rinsing plates after using them ... Heaps of nods and agreement ... Arg!
4 knives covered with peanut butter on the bench right next to each other!
I must be getting old :(
Totally out of my depth :( so know exactly how you feel, coupled with the fact i am looking up those references too ;)
Sigh

[Duffy]

Oh Duffy how do i make teenagers clean up after themselves :(
Came home to a bombsite after trying to talk to them last night about just rinsing plates after using them ... Heaps of nods and agreement ... Arg!
4 knives covered with peanut butter on the bench right next to each other!

Hahahahahahaha! If I wanted to extract information out of an enemy I would lock them in a room with teenagers! They'll be squealling like pigs in no time!:D

[Roger]

Now have a look at this http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/6299 crap.

[davo]

I find it ironic how christians equate hitler with atheism :

http://axxs.org/images-dave/priests-salute.jpg

http://axxs.org/images-dave/LudWigMuller2.jpg

http://axxs.org/images-dave/Hitler-with-Muller.jpg

http://axxs.org/images-dave/hitler_cardinal4.jpg

http://axxs.org/images-dave/hitlerbishop.gif

http://axxs.org/images-dave/FriedrichCoch.jpg

http://axxs.org/images-dave/NaziPriestsSaluteHitler.jpg

[davo]

ho and I just read the readers comment:

Pr. Peter G, Australia, 12 February 2009
Well written, great points, highly relevant. We have nothing to celebration on this birthday, rather its a death-day, since Darwin sought to tell everyone that death, disease and suffering are all natural.


what .. death, disease and suffering aren't natural? they are unnatural? and this persons a priest?

I'm sure I have seen this person b4

http://bastardlogic.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/head_up_ass.jpg

[Roger]

Yes Davo,I would like some of our more evolved to replay to this crap :mad:.

[Evil Doer]

I find it ironic how christians equate hitler with atheism

I prefer the "alternate" spelling. :D