Evolution Archive
March 10, 2009
Not Quite the 'God Spot'
I just read an article in the Independent about a paper by Dimitrios Kapogiannis, Aron K. Barbey, Michael Su, Giovanna Zamboni, Frank Krueger, and Jordan Grafman on the biological foundations of religious belief in the Proceedings of the National Academy...Read all of "Not Quite the 'God Spot'"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:45 PM
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February 16, 2009
Monkey Morality
Monkeys and apes have a sense of morality and the rudimentary ability to tell right from wrong, according to new research. [Times on Line] Here's part of what Frans de Waal of Emory says about his most recent research, I...Posted by Duane Smith at 9:20 PM
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February 12, 2009
Darwin at 200
Today would have been Charles Darwin's 200th birthday. One can count on one hand the number of scientists who are his equal when it comes to revolutionizing a field of study. It turns out that this elite group is also...Posted by Duane Smith at 7:19 AM
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July 1, 2008
Two Papers that Changed the World
or at least our understanding of it. On July 1, 1858, 150 years ago, two papers, one by Charles Darwin and one by Alfred Russel Wallace, were read at the Linnean Society in London. Independently, they had discovered natural selection,...Read all of "Two Papers that Changed the World"
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May 31, 2008
Evolutionary Novelties
Todd Oakley is Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of California-Santa Barbara. He works in ecology, evolution and marine biology and serves as the Assistant Curator at the Museum of Systematics and Ecology at UCSB. He also has a...Read all of "Evolutionary Novelties"
Posted by Duane Smith at 6:53 PM
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May 11, 2008
Schloss on Expelled
Jeffrey Schloss of Westmont College wrote one of the most balanced reviews of the movie Expelled that I've read. It is also the longest review I have read: twenty six pages of text along with ninety five endnotes. Schloss, a...Read all of "Schloss on Expelled"
Posted by Duane Smith at 12:25 PM
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February 12, 2008
Darwin Day
Today would have been Charles Darwin's one-hundred and ninety-ninth birthday. I'm a little leery about celebrating such a day. I worry that it reinforces the mistaken idea of a Darwin cult rather than celebrates an on going scientific enterprise that...Posted by Duane Smith at 7:44 PM
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November 12, 2007
November 13th - Judgment Day
Don't miss it. A documentary on the Kitzmiller v. Dover School District will be on NOVA. Below is a short preview of Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial. If you know what Kitzmiller v. Dover School District is, you will...Read all of "November 13th - Judgment Day"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:37 PM
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September 15, 2007
Rick Colling and the "Profoundly Scientifically Ignorant"
I have not written on Rick Colling. Others have done a very good job covering the issues surrounding the severe restrictions put of Colling by Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. Colling wants to teach evolution in a biology class of...Read all of "Rick Colling and the "Profoundly Scientifically Ignorant""
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May 27, 2007
The Creation Museum Carnival is Up at Pharyngula
PZ Myers has done a great job pulling together abstracts and links to about 65 posts whose content ranges from scientific discussion to analyses of media responses to just plain derision. There's even one about Hebrew words that don't mean...Read all of "The Creation Museum Carnival is Up at Pharyngula"
Posted by Duane Smith at 12:27 PM
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May 26, 2007
Hector Avalos' Promotion and Something Irrelevant
Chris Heard has a great post at Higgaion on how the Discovery Institute is trying to leverage Hector Avalos' promotion at Iowa State to support claims that Iowa State improperly denied tenure to Guillermo Gonzalez. Please give it a read....Read all of "Hector Avalos' Promotion and Something Irrelevant"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:07 PM
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February 5, 2007
Intelligent Design: A Political Movement
Ed Brayton at Dispatches from the Culture Wars references a letter to the editor from Pamela Thompson, Vice President of Communications for the Templeton Foundation, regarding Intellectual Design Creationism. Give Ed's post a read. Here is a sample from Thompson's...Read all of "Intelligent Design: A Political Movement"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:28 PM
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January 13, 2007
What is Biological Evolution?
Laurence Moran at Sandwalk has a great discussion of the minimum definition of biological evolution. The answered is simple, Biological "evolution is a process that results in heritable changes in a population spread over many generations." The discussion is engaging....Read all of "What is Biological Evolution?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 6:40 PM
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December 19, 2006
A Bad Year for Creationists
John Lynch at Stranger Fruit has a month by month chronicle of events ending with today's defeat in the Cobb Country (GA) disclaimer case. In fact, December has been a particularly bad month for creationists. Only May seems to have...Read all of "A Bad Year for Creationists"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:25 PM
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December 4, 2006
"De-emphasizing" the Evidence as a Creationist Strategy
This issue has raised its head for the second time in the last few months. Several bloggers, including yours truly, reported on it when it first appeared. But yesterday Yahoo brought up The Daily Telegraph of London report that is...Read all of ""De-emphasizing" the Evidence as a Creationist Strategy"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:19 PM
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October 16, 2006
Branding the Other Guy
John McKay at Archi interacts with Ed Brayton and some of his readers at Dispatches from the Culture Wars on the question of the use of "Darwinism" and "Darwinist" by creationists. John is exactly correct, By abandoning their own "-ism"...Read all of "Branding the Other Guy"
Posted by Duane Smith at 12:59 PM
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August 11, 2006
The Sorry and Dangerous State of Science in the United States
Nick Matzke tells the story on The Panda's Thumb, Science magazine has just published the results of international polls assessing public acceptance of evolution around the world: Jon D. Miller, Eugenie C. Scott, and Shinji Okamoto (2006) “.” Science Aug...Read all of "The Sorry and Dangerous State of Science in the United States"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:28 AM
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August 7, 2006
Wedging the Wedge
Over at Panda's Thumb PvM tells us about “Countering the Wedge: A multi-pronged, multi-year strategy to oppose creationism and intelligent design in the science curriculum of public schools” by Massimo Pigliucci, David Baum and Mark McPeek. All three authors are...Read all of "Wedging the Wedge"
Posted by Duane Smith at 6:57 PM
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August 2, 2006
The Other Truth About Kansas
Most of Kansas voted for proscience State School Board candidates in the primary election held yesterday. While they were unable to boot all the creationists, this is a very good start and a major set back for those who poured...Read all of "The Other Truth About Kansas"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:40 AM
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July 31, 2006
The Truth About Kansas
Ed Brayton at Dispatches from the Culture War has found an Intelligent Design creationist who tells the truth. Except when fundraising, they don't naturally tell the truth. You can read it in the comments at William Dembski's website. In response...Read all of "The Truth About Kansas"
Posted by Duane Smith at 1:08 PM
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June 20, 2006
An Intersection of Evolutionary Biology and Archaeology
I have an interest in archaeology and a usually unrelated interest in evolutionary biology. Actually, my interest in evolutionary biology is mostly focused on Paleoanthropology but I'm willing to be a little broader when something really abnormal comes along. A...Read all of "An Intersection of Evolutionary Biology and Archaeology"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:21 PM
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April 11, 2006
On the Role of Intuition in Creationism
Henry Neufeld at Threads of Henry has an interesting post that challenges a long held belief of mine (and his) in a very interesting way. The belief is that some kind of naive intuition lies near the base of much...Read all of "On the Role of Intuition in Creationism"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:23 AM
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March 31, 2006
On Using the "E" Word Every Day from Kindergarten On
This morning's Los Angeles Times has a story about the trials of teachers as they try to teach science in the face of some pupils and parents who are prepared to challenge them at almost every step. The whole article...Read all of "On Using the "E" Word Every Day from Kindergarten On"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:26 PM
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March 7, 2006
Neither Rhyme Nor Reason
Roses are red. Violets are blue. I ride a bicycle. Can you swim? This is the poem my father would recite whenever he wanted to point out that something made no sense at all. It wasn't until today that I...Read all of "Neither Rhyme Nor Reason"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:41 PM
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March 2, 2006
The Naked Ape and the Other Partially Naked Primates
At the beginning of chapter 27 of Following the Equator, Mark Twain attributed this to "Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar:" Man is the Only Animal that Blushes. Or needs to. And those words are a powerful metaphor for much of the...Read all of "The Naked Ape and the Other Partially Naked Primates"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:23 PM
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February 23, 2006
Castorocauda lutrasimilis the Jurassic "Beaver"
Until now, Jurassic mammals have been thought of as small. But, at about a foot long, this new fossil discovery is a whopper, at least by Jurassic mammal standards. PZ Myers has a good report, with pictures, over at Pharyngula....Read all of "Castorocauda lutrasimilis the Jurassic "Beaver""
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:19 PM
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February 21, 2006
Kenneth Chang Writes a Very Good Article
Back in August of last year, I posted a very negative piece about an article in the New York Times written by Kenneth Chang. Today's New York Times has another article by Mr. Chang on the Intelligent Design creationist moment...Read all of "Kenneth Chang Writes a Very Good Article"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:49 AM
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February 11, 2006
Why Give Him This Much Copy?
The Los Angeles Times has an article, starting on the front page no less, by Stephanie Simon about the silliness of the Evangelist Ken Ham. Yes, Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis fame. I have mostly negative feelings about this...Read all of "Why Give Him This Much Copy?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:10 AM
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February 1, 2006
The Original Wedge Document
PZ Myers at Pharyngula directs us to a story in the Seattle Weekly that tells the history of the original wedge document and gives a copy of it complete with graphics. If you have even the slightest doubt about the...Read all of "The Original Wedge Document"
Posted by Duane Smith at 11:34 AM
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January 22, 2006
Can They Read?
I am increasing concerned that the folks in the Intelligent Design creationist movement can't read. Dave Scott on Uncommon Decent comments on the lack of reaction from the "Darwinian Evolution (sic)" community to an article in L'Osservatore Romano . I...Posted by Duane Smith at 11:21 AM
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Titles Only From Here On
January 18, 2006
Catholic Biologist Again Says Intelligent Design is Not Science
January 4, 2006
Orthodox Rabbi Supports Evolution as a Science and Intelligent Design Creationism as Religion
December 27, 2005
What?
December 21, 2005
Dover as a Beginning Rather than an End
December 20, 2005
Dover Case Decided - The Good Guys Won
December 4, 2005
Intelligent Design Creationists in Academia
November 22, 2005
Why Christopher Heard is Not a Creationist
November 8, 2005
Headlines Remembered
November 4, 2005
Debunking Michael Balter
October 26, 2005
If You Want to be a Biblical Creationist You Need to Take the Whole Package
October 19, 2005
More Genetic Support for the Out of Africa Hypothesis
October 18, 2005
Local Reporting of Behe's Dover Testimony
More on Gorilla Tool Use
October 7, 2005
Jewish Creationists Ban Rabbi's Books
October 4, 2005
Creationism: The Reasonable, the Flexible and the Unreasonable
October 2, 2005
PZ Myers on EvolveTV
Michael Balter on Teaching the Controversy
September 26, 2005
CBS Forgets the Science When it Comes to What Should be Taught as Science
September 25, 2005
Creationism and anti-HIVism: "Opposite Sides of the Same Coin"
September 20, 2005
Dealing with Creationists (ID and Otherwise)
August 28, 2005
Where is the Content?
August 26, 2005
A Pro-Science Article with a Purpose
August 25, 2005
The Discovery Institute's List Grows Shorter
William Demdski in the Postmodern Age
August 22, 2005
Scientists or Creationists - On the Correct Order of Presentation
August 21, 2005
The Teach the Controversy Debate from an American Indian Prospective
August 15, 2005
The Truth About the Cambrian Explosion
August 11, 2005
Jonathan Witt and Steve Waldman on the Same Day
August 10, 2005
Kansas Board of Education Tentatively Approves Science "Standard"
August 3, 2005
Update on President Bush and Intelligent Design Creationism
August 2, 2005
President Bush Says, "Teach the Controversy"
August 1, 2005
The Difference Between Being Tolerant of Incompetence and Supporting Free Speech
July 13, 2005
Jonathan Witt Should Read Before He Writes
July 9, 2005
You Want Creationism?
July 7, 2005
Conservatives Opine on Evolution
Tulsa Zoo Update
June 30, 2005
Varnishing the Wedge
June 27, 2005
Humankind: An Imperfect Creation
June 24, 2005
Thou Shall Not Take The Name Of Intelligent Design In Vain
June 20, 2005
Who is Speaking to the Muddled Middle?
June 14, 2005
A Victory for Reason
June 13, 2005
Creationists on Mars Hill or Building an Altar to the Unknown God
June 11, 2005
ID Creationism is Also Bad News for Faith
June 8, 2005
Creationism at the Oklahoma Zoo
June 4, 2005
The Irony of Jonathan Wells' Paper
June 2, 2005
Darwin's Harmful Books
June 1, 2005
A Real Partial Victory
May 30, 2005
It's Worth A Try
May 28, 2005
A Major Public Relations Coup for Creationism
May 27, 2005
Planned Ignorance
May 24, 2005
Selecting a Doctor: The Minimum Requirement
May 10, 2005
Now New York
Kansas Evolves Back
May 9, 2005
Creationists Have Fun and Our Children Suffer
May 7, 2005
The Purist Form Marketing
May 6, 2005
A Couple of Good Science Based Titles
May 3, 2005
Stop the Free Publicity for Creationists
May 2, 2005
How to Market Creationism - Turn Children into Salespersons Rather than Students
April 28, 2005
A Marketing Plan for Biology: Part 2 - the Market
April 27, 2005
Intelligent Design Creationism Shows Off Its Marketing Skills Again
April 25, 2005
A Marketing Plan for Biology: Part 1
April 21, 2005
Threat of Legal Action Based on Errors in Biology and Law
April 20, 2005
Leveraging the New Pope to Advance Intelligent Design Creationism
April 11, 2005
Attacking Relativity - Part of Marketing ID Creationism
March 28, 2005
More Free Marketing for Creationism
March 20, 2005
Creationists and Scientists Should Talk in Rings not Circles
March 18, 2005
Where is Herbert Spencer When You Need Him?
March 14, 2005
Herbert Spencer and the Burden of Proof for Evolution
March 7, 2005
An Interesting Take on Creationism and Culture
February 12, 2005
A Strange Lawsuit - Cadwell vs. the Roseville School District
February 10, 2005
Listen Up - There may be Convergent Evolution in the Ear.
February 7, 2005
Branding Intelligent Design Creationism
February 4, 2005
Goodbye Ernst Mayr
January 31, 2005
Weak Teaching on a Strong Subject