MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'creationism'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:01:32 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952795&cid=t_110695_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUCJXX3R62F0%2F By Neal McCluskeyA rabid fan of both Cato’s Center for Educational Freedom and The Miss USA Pageant (some may know him as Jim Harper) just sent me a link to this YouTube video. In the vid, all the contestants in the just-completed, aforementioned pageant discuss whether the theory of evolution should be taught in schools. I didn’t tally their responses, but just listening to the contenders it seems their consensus answer represents America in microcosm: Most seem to have serious doubts about evolution, but support teaching it along with other viewpoints. It reflects both the overall split within the American public—40 to 50 percent of Americans are creationists, and roughly the same segment evolutionists—as well as the consensus view on teaching human origins: ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952795 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:31:25 +0100 4952795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893393&cid=t_110695_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOZ9e91N17Gw%2F By Neal McCluskeyToday the Washington Post has a big story on efforts by the coal industry to get public schools to teach positive things about — you guessed it — coal. The impetus for the article is no doubt a recent kerfuffle over education mega-publisher Scholastic sending schools free copies of the industry-funded lesson plan “The United States of Energy.” Many parents and environmentalists were upset over businesses putting stealthy moves on kids, and Scholastic eventually promised to cease publication of the plan. Loaded curricula designed to coerce specific sympathies from children, however, hardly come just from industry, as the Post story notes. Indeed, as I write in the new Cato book Climate Coup: Global Warming’s Invasion of Our Government and Our Live... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893393 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:21:54 +0100 4893393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419110&cid=t_110695_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMslTvV7t6Rg%2F By Neal McCluskeySince its beginning, one of the primary drivers behind public schooling — government schooling — has been a desire to compel belief, whether in “American” values, God, the primacy of science, or myriad other things that some people have thought it essential for all people to accept. The result has been constant conflict that, rather than uniting diverse people — a companion goal of public schooling — has divided them.  And not only have crusades to force belief created ongoing conflicts, there’s generally been little evidence they’ve actually changed the targeted beliefs. So we’ve gotten all the downside of trying to force alterations to hearts and minds without actually changing them. Case in point, t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419110 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:43:39 +0100 4419110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456825&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.discovermagazine.com%2Fgnxp%2F2010%2F04%2F70-years-of-scientific-materialism-doesnt-make-you-pro-science%2F Chris Mooney points me to some data on scientific knowledge indicators published by the NSF. There’s a controversy whereby evolution and Big Bang related questions seem to have been removed because American religious Fundamentalism tended to produce a rejection of sane consensus in these areas. Science pointed to the unedited chapters which have some international comparisons. I’ve reformatted a figure from page 103 below. No surprise that American comes out badly on evolution and the Big Bang, but what always strikes me when Russia is included in the list is how skeptical citizens are to conventional science. If you poke around the World Values Survey you don’t find the Russians to be a particularly religious nation, at least compared to Poland or the United States, desp... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456825 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:56:34 +0100 3456825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3449061&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.discovermagazine.com%2Fgnxp%2F2010%2F04%2Fwhat-rejecting-science-will-mean%2F I am reading that a scholar affiliated with an evangelical theological seminary has had to resign his position because of a full-throated (see here) defense of evolutionary theory. In particular, this scholar seems to have asserted that evangelical Christianity is on the way to becoming a marginalized “cult” if it keeps rejecting scientific consensus in regards to evolutionary theory. Cult, from what I know, has a very strong connotation in the evangelical subculture. Obviously I don’t have relevant opinions about whether evangelicals should, or should not, accept evolution from the perspective of an evangelical Christian. But, we can look at the type of person who accepts and rejections evolution in American society. The General Social Survey has a vocabulary test which ... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3449061 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:09:14 +0100 3449061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420671&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2Fuw9LvuRkDb4%2F I am consciously aware that the “Idiot’s Guide” series are not parodies. But when Josh Roseneau introduced me to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Intelligent Design I simply assumed that this was a parody or gag-gift. This illustrates the lack of unity of cognitive process. On the one hand as I note above I was aware of the reality that this was a well-known brand of introductory books, but my prejudice against Creationists and Intelligent Design folk, and my perception that they’re stupid, led to me infer reflexively that this was an ironic parody. After all, it seemed mean to point out that those looking to understand Intelligent Design may be somewhat duller, on average, than those who would find the enterprise laughable.   For your informa... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420671 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:57:25 +0100 3420671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374340&cid=t_110695_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F03%2F16%2Fnew-textbooks-yall%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on AOL’s Politics Daily. New Textbooks, Y’all! Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: chaos theory, creationism, education, evolution, political cartoon, texas, textbook (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374340 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:04:46 +0100 3374340 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129691&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2FnRzZGtV7faU%2Fall_science_vs_religion_confli.php In a recent post, my SciBling Jason Rosenhouse with whom I usually agree on these matters, voices a strong disagreement with this quote (from Thomas Dixon's book Science and Religion: A Very Short Introduction, published by Oxford University Press in 2008): Historians have shown that the Galileo affair, remembered by some as a clash between science and religion, was primarily about the enduring political question of who was authorized to produce and disseminate knowledge. Jason counters that Galileo affair, as well as the more modern Creationist wars, are primarily and perhaps entirely science vs. religion wars, not political. He writes: Afficionados of science/religion disputes will recognize in this a standard gambit of the genre. Specifically, the attempt to recast situations that ar... A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129691 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:04:46 +0100 3129691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2972006&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2FjCjY4T3nf0o%2Fdemocracy_creationism_in_turke.php Another article on Creationism in Turkey: To John Morris, president of the Institute for Creation Research in Dallas, however, the news could hardly be more encouraging. "Why I'm so interested in seeing creationism succeed in Turkey is that evolution is an evil concept that has done such damage to society," said Morris, a Christian who has led several searches for Noah's Ark in eastern Turkey. Members of his group have addressed Turkish conferences numerous times. ... After a decade in the trenches, Kence said he believes aggressive creationism "is part of a larger plan to convert people to a more conservative Islam." The Islamic-oriented government, elected in 2002 and reelected in 2007, has telegraphed its views on evolution by adding doses of creationism to a required public school ... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2972006 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:43:15 +0100 2972006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912375&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2Fbeing-michael-behe.php Reading Joe Thornton's response to Michael Behe, I'm struck by the de ja vu that the exchange induces. I remember reading Darwin's Black Box when it came out, and being confused as to why this was such an awesome challenge to evolution, and following the debates in its wake. Behe seems to think he's pwning everyone, when his arguments from outside of his charmed circle seem a bit flimsy and amateurish.But let's assume that Behe doesn't have any screws loose. There have to be presuppositions which allow for his arguments to seem rock-solid and irrefutable in his own cognitive universe. I know that some readers of this weblog have ID sympathies. Normally I just delete those sorts of comments because I'm an intolerant evolutionist/intolerant of idiocy (your selection of the two options obviou... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912375 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:25:00 +0100 2912375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778414&cid=t_110695_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2165 Being interested in science communication, I was pleased when the BMJ asked me to review Unscientific America , by Chris Monney and Sheril Kirshenbaum. The BMJ provides a link that allows you access to the whole review. They have made very few changes from the submitted version, which is reproduced below (with live links in the text. I very soon discovered that the book had already caused ructions in the USA, as a result of its advocacy of appeasement of religious groups. In particular there was all out war with P.Z.Myers, whose very popular blog, Phayngula. documented the battle in detail). It is an American book through and through, and in the USA the biggest threat to reason comes from the far-right religious fundamentalists who preach young-earth creationism. It is said that 46% of U... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778414 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:08:19 +0100 2778414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2744247&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2FB6y0UwiDP84%2Fnortheastern_protestants_catho.php On a lark I decided to see how Catholics & Protestants broke down in regards to evolution by American region in the GSS. Specifically, I clustered the Census Divisions to create the categories of: Northeast = New England + Mid Atlantic Midwest = E & W North Central South = S Atlantic + E South Central + W South Central West = Mountain + Pacific I limited the data to non-Hispanic whites for the question "evolved," which was asked in 2006 and 2008, so recently. Results below the fold for this question.... Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2744247 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:08:12 +0100 2744247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2626203&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2FWv20xgGRNMY%2Fdarwin_is_a_white_thing.php I was mentioning to a friend that Whoopi Goldberg is apparently a semi-moon landing denialist. At least Goldberg isn't a Creationist like fellow View co-host Sherri Shepard. In fact Goldberg took issue with Shepard's stance when it came up. Rather disappointing when it comes to the moon landings then, though of course attitudes toward evolution for most people are cultural markers, not genuine assessments of the scientific consensus. It is interesting that both Shepard and Goldberg are black. The black community is more Creationist than the American popualtion as a whole, and have less general knowledge of science. My friend asked: is black opposition to evolution a function of their greater religious conservatism, as is the case with their attitudes toward homosexuality? The General Soci... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2626203 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:09:12 +0100 2626203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295375&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2FfeYzLK1IsQ8%2Fcreationism_in_america_europe.php So I'm reading/hearing about something flaring up in Texas again in regards to Creationism. I always get these strange "articles" in my RSS for the "evolution" query on Google Alerts where an uninformed columnist rambles on how the theory has been disproved or brought into doubt. These arguments are not my brief, I'll leave that to Josh Rosenau et al. Nevertheless one of the interesting things about the discussion in regards to Creationists has been the reality that the United States is swarming with them, though there are Creationists elsewhere, especially in the Islamic world. It is a difference of degree, not kind. Attitudes toward Creationism vary across European countries, and even within European countries. But what about the United States? It's not a coincidence that the same state... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295375 Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:56:38 +0100 2295375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2310031&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2FCF5xGZn_0fs%2Fso_many_strawmen_so_little_tim.php Apparently, I'm infamous. From yesterday's Ames Tribune (below the fold): Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2310031 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:10:00 +0100 2310031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240675&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2FnCAh3v-9feQ%2Fanti-evolution_bill_in_iowa.php I am so incredibly tardy with this information that Arizonian John Lynch and the lovely folks at Uncommon Descent have already blogged this, but recently an "academic freedom" bill was introduced in Iowa. For those who may be unfamiliar, in addition to "teach the controversy," these "academic freedom" bills are one of the new tactics for creationists who want to introduce creationism into science classrooms via the back door by claiming that teachers need the protection to teach "the full range of scientific views" when it comes to evolution (in other words, to teach creationism/ID). The bill states that: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240675 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:40:00 +0100 2240675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2149585&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2Fdwgt10WS-HU%2Fcreationist_crap_lawsuit_dismi.php The detritus of the Bush era continues to wash ashore, but some of it has decomposed sufficiently that it isn't as noxious as when first dumped into the sea. One example is what was left of a Federal lawsuit filed by a creationist post doc against the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution alleging he was fired for his religious views. Those views were of the Creationist variety, and the job he was fired from was research involving development in zebra fish, specifically involving evolutionary processes. His views, per se, had nothing to do with it, of course. It was that his views prevented him from doing the necessary work. I didn't write about this at the time because it was well covered in the scientific press and I know the researcher who allegedly discriminated against the complainant ... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2149585 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:12:20 +0100 2149585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035840&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F484318090%2Fcrosscultural_comparison_of_ev.php Acceptance of Evolution & belief in God, over at Secular Right. Here's my conclusion: ... In any case, I think the two observations I would make is that Roman Catholicism's acceptance of evolution shows, as those nations tend to be above the trendline. And, Communism really, really, messes a nation up. I doubt that the rejection of evolution has as much to do with Lysenkoism as it does with overall underdevelopment.... But, you should go read the whole thing as there are charts that will likely interest.... Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035840 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 06:27:08 +0100 2035840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2013839&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F475208831%2Finterview_with_judge_jones.php Those interested in the struggles against infusion of Intelligent Design Creationism into public schools, have followed, with great interest, the highly publicized trial in Dover, PA a couple of years ago. At the end of it, Judge Jones not just made the right decision, but also wrote one of the best and most scathing indictments of IDC in our legal history. So, you may be interested in the latest interview with Judge Jones, just published in PLoS Genetics: Taken to School: An Interview with the Honorable Judge John E. Jones, III: "My call to the Judge's chambers in request for an interview was answered in vivo by his assistant, who suggested simply e-mailing the Judge directly. I did, and back came an immediate reply of "Happy to do it." On the appointed July day, in near 100-degree heat... A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2013839 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:42:05 +0100 2013839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2013593&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2F474942260%2Fbest_review_of_expelled_ever.php It may well be; Roger Ebert has finally gotten around to reviewing Expelled! Short version: He didn't like it. Long version: He really, really didn't like it. I knew there was a reason I liked Roger Ebert. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Respectful Insolence) Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2013593 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:00:24 +0100 2013593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1847975&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F408135943%2Facceptance_of_human_evolution.php During a conversation with Nick Matzke he asserted that Creationists weren't less intelligent necessarily. I contended that they were less intelligent. I based on this on snooping through the GSS when I was posting about the association between lower educational attainment and intelligence and religious fundamentalist & Biblical literalism. There are several variables in the GSS which ask respondents about their views on evolution, and the more intelligent and educated a person is the more likely they are to accept evolution. But this prompts a question: is this association simply due to confounds of variables? In other words, the association between intelligence and acceptance of evolution is simply a byproduct of other correlations. If it was not a byproduct of other correlations, one wo... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1847975 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:24:52 +0100 1847975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1825808&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F400282440%2Fconservatives_creationism.php I was browsing RedState today and I noticed an advertisement for the National Geographic special on the Neandertal genome. At first I was surprised at the appearance of this on a right-wing website; after all, there is a bias toward Creationism on the modern American Right. Then I realized that the ad was probably part of a network and RedState was just one of many sites which were automatically included in some package. Nevertheless, it got me thinking about the Right and Creationism. Why is there this association on a deeper level? A survey from several years back showed that in Europe there was little correlation between right-wing politics and Creationism. I'm sure most of you have a good idea about why you see the association here in the United States, but I wanted to check with the ... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825808 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:30:26 +0100 1825808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806494&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F396805474%2Fmore_on_the_creationist_school.php The story about Creationist school board in Brunswick Co, NC is now getting some legs: Brunswick school board to consider creationism teaching: The board allowed Fanti to speak longer than he was allowed, and at the end of his speech he volunteered to teach creationism and received applause from the audience. When he walked away, school board Chairwoman Shirley Babson took the podium and said another state had tried to teach evolution and creationism together and failed, and that the school system must teach by the law. Editorial: Teach science in science class: If you wonder why American children are falling behind the rest of the world in science, look no further than the Brunswick County school board. While educators and policy makers debate how to improve the teaching of science a... A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806494 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:52:18 +0100 1806494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1789057&cid=t_110695_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D255 Jump to follow-up There has been something of a rumpus in the media today when the education secretary of the Royal Society, Michael Reiss, appeared to endorse the teaching of creationism on science classes,  The BBC’s report was only too typical. “Call for creationism in science” “Creationism should be discussed in school science lessons, rather than excluded, [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1789057 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:08:33 +0100 1789057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1786195&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F389703209%2Fthe_second_best_thing_to_visit.php ....is to read how Tiana and Kate had fun doing it: Afternoon Delight With The Discovery Institute In which it should have become clear that we were both drunk and lying Dawkins and Myers, Websites and Pride, and Still More Lies Dover and Dropping All Pretense Good Manners Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1786195 Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:25:14 +0100 1786195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739649&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=36527&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcutonthedottedline.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F28%2Fprocrastinating-3%2F I started reading Greenfield’s section on transplant. It starts with a 30 page chapter on transplant immunology. It’s taking me about five minutes to read each page. This is going to take a long time. (There are the occasional hilarious comments, such as “Presumably, these multiple V region families arose by an evolutionary process of gene duplication followed by mutation of individual family members. . . the combinatorial possibilities are extremely large, showing why the immune system is able to generate antibodies for virtually all known antigenic determinants.” So they write this long chapter to explain how little they understand these cellular processes, but how miraculously well they turn out - the human immune system works against virtually every virus and ... Cut On The Dotted Line blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739649 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:17:51 +0100 1739649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543122&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2F319843570%2Fwhen_it_comes_to_refuting_creationist_no.php ...from one of Michigan State University Professor Richard Lenski's E. coli cultures. Lenski's second response to the clueless "request" of the creationist idiot Andrew Schlafly to provide his raw data to him for "independent review" supporting a recent PNAS paper (more here) by him that is yet another in a line of papers by evolutionary biologists that pretty much destroy the myth of "irreproducible complexity" is a classic in sliding the knife into one's foe, carefully dissecting free an organ, pulling that organ out with a flourish, only to plunge to plunge the knife in again to continue the ruthless dissection, smiling politely all the while, leaving Schlafly utterly in the dark about his Epic Fail. Although the second letter is pure genius, perhaps the first sentence of his first ... Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543122 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:29:54 +0100 1543122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522203&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F313243733%2Fbobby_jindal_creationist_polit.php I have already posted on Creationism & Bobby Jindal. Here's more: As a parent, when my kids go to schools, when they go to public schools, I want them to be presented with the best thinking. I want them to be able to make decisions for themselves. I want them to see the best data. I personally think that the life, human life and the world we live in wasn't created accidentally. I do think that there's a creator. I'm a Christian. I do think that God played a role in creating not only earth, but mankind. Now, the way that he did it, I'd certainly want my kids to be exposed to the very best science. I don't want them to be - I don't want any facts or theories or explanations to be withheld from them because of political correctness. The way we're going to have smart, intelligent kids is expos... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522203 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:17:21 +0100 1522203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1434528&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F287966887%2Fharun_yahya_goes_to_jail.php Via The Corner, Turkish Islamic author given 3-year jail sentence: Controversial Turkish Islamic author Adnan Oktar was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday for creating an illegal organization for personal gain, state-run Anatolian news agency said. ... Oktar, born in 1956, is the driving force behind a richly funded movement based in Turkey that champions creationism, the belief that God literally created the world in six days as told in the Bible and the Koran. Istanbul-based Oktar, who writes under the pen name Harun Yahya, has created waves in the past few years by sending out thousands of unsolicited texts advocating Islamic creationism to schools in several European countries. (comments closed because of the inevitable influx of Yahyaites to this post) (Source: Gene Ex... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1434528 Sun, 11 May 2008 10:27:51 +0100 1434528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1420480&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F284012136%2Fjim_manzi_on_expelled.php Show Me the Science. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1420480 Mon, 05 May 2008 16:27:39 +0100 1420480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1408270&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F04%2Fwhat-predicts-creationism.php Public Acceptance of Evolution (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1408270 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:02:00 +0100 1408270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1407029&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F280229608%2Fben_stein_is_a_barbarian.php John Derbyshire has a long column excoriating Ben Stein and the Discovery Institute titled A Blood Libel on Our Civilization: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1407029 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:36:08 +0100 1407029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1386862&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F274440580%2Fexpelled_success_or_not.php Chris Mooney is claiming Expelled is a box office success. Documentaries don't make a very big splash typically, but whatever you think about the impact of Expelled, the fact that Fahrenheit 9/11 will go down as a much bigger success illustrates the contrast between depth and breadth of feeling from their respective audiences. Michael Moore's politics have a smaller potential audience than the half of Americans who are Creationist, and the 3/4 of Americans who are open to the idea of "equal time," but the devotees of Moore's brand of Leftism are far more intense in their sentiment. I am not totally ignorant of the dynamics of Creationist politics in the United States, the history seems to be one where every time the movement manages to exceed a particular threshold of success a counter-rea... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1386862 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:55:00 +0100 1386862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1385830&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F273782558%2Fexpelled_was_ok.php ...as a piece of propaganda. I noticed that the local "art house" theater was screening Expelled, so I decided to check it out. There weren't many people there. It started off very heavy-handed, a montage of archetypical scenes from the Communist and Nazi regimes, but the production values & execution of the first half of the documentary wasn't half bad. I assume the producers were pitching this to a sympathetic autidence, so the intent was glamorize and present the argument effectively, not convert anyone to the message. The interviews with the eminences of the Intelligent Design movement were presented in very tight "sound bite" formats, in appealing settings with natural light. In contrast, the anti-Creationists were depicted in a far less flattering fashion; the lighting often artifici... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1385830 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:33:53 +0100 1385830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1376879&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F271675527%2Fexpelled_exposed.php If everyone links to Expelled Exposed by using the term Expelled, perhaps we can move it up to #1 on Google: Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1376879 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:55:28 +0100 1376879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1349455&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F263754615%2Fshocking_truly.php The Expelled producers lied about canceling a movie showing in Tempe. Anyone surprised? Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1349455 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 05:35:54 +0100 1349455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1338040&cid=t_110695_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E5%2F261079924%2FxGCxbhGaVfE%26amp%3Bhl%3Den Maybe I'm out of touch, but it was news to me that Ben Stein (former Nixon speechwriter, monotone teacher in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, etc. etc.--if you watch the video below, you'll get to hear him... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1338040 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:32:32 +0100 1338040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1337058&cid=t_110695_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E5%2F260821868%2FeaGgpGLxLQw%26amp%3Bhl%3Den [Via Orac's Respectful Insolence blog] Orac comments that he can't make up his mind about this YouTube clip, whether is it's a slam on Richard Dawkins or a slam of the creationists' perceptions... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1337058 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:08:50 +0100 1337058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1336924&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=36527&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcutonthedottedline.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2F29%2Fmy-own-weekend-rant%2F Dr. Schwab’s Surgeonsblog is one of my favorite blogs ever. He has tremendous stories, and tells them very well, and I am inspired by his example as a caring and competent surgeon. Lately, though, he’s taken to posting political and religious rants (his word) on the weekends. Creationists are a common target. I’ve got to respond to his latest post, but so many ideas came to mind I thought it would be better to write on my own blog. Dr. Schwab’s post opens with an 8min clip of an ABC news segment on two creationist men who give tours of a Denver science museum to Christian homeschoolers, giving the creationist point of view in contradiction to the evolutionary teachings of the museum. First, two things about the video: the two men, while I applaud their beliefs and ... Cut On The Dotted Line blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1336924 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:24:25 +0100 1336924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1323243&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F257188015%2Fskeptics_in_boston.php My SciBling Mike the Mad Biologist will speak tonight at the Boston Skeptics meeting. The title of the talk is "Defending Evolution the Right Way: As a Fundamental Part of Biology and Biomedicine, Not as a Cultural Icon." so it is bound to be interesting. If you are in Boston tonight at 7pm, go and see it at The Asgard. Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1323243 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:41:59 +0100 1323243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1323137&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2F257172030%2Frush_limbaugh_gives_expelled_thumbs_up.php Why am I not surprised? The stupid, it does so burn. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Respectful Insolence) Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1323137 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:55:21 +0100 1323137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1317766&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2F255313422%2Fpz_out_dawkins_in.php ...to see Expelled! In perhaps the funniest incident I can recall involving a fellow ScienceBlogger since there has been ScienceBlogs, earlier this evening scourges of "intelligent design" creationism P. Z. Myers and Richard Dawkins went to see a screening of the antievolution pro-ID creationism movie Expelled! in the Minneapolis area. The guards recognized P.Z. and wouldn't let them in the movie. They apparently didn't recognize Richard Dawkins and did let him in to see the movie. Let's get this straight. The producers scheduled a screening in the Minneapolis area on the same weekend that the 34th Annual National Conference of American Atheists was being held there. Not only that, but Richard Dawkins had been invited as a speaker and just so happened to be in town. The producers appare... Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1317766 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:09:36 +0100 1317766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1317748&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F255312120%2Firony.php PZ got kicked out of a screening of Expelled, the latest ID propaganda movie--in which he's featured. Someone else who's in it? Richard Dawkins. Guess who PZ's guest was--a guest who was let into the screening? Yep. Dawkins. The irony. The hypocrisy. Just incredible. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1317748 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:05:00 +0100 1317748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1317902&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F255296891%2Fpartial_loss_of_face_recogniti.php The latest case study can be found here. Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1317902 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:15:13 +0100 1317902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1298759&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F250567156%2Fturkey_creationism_secularism.php A new story highlighting the waxing of Creationism within modern Turkey. A depressing tidbit: Education Minister Huseyin Celik, an AKP member, said he has an open mind over the debate about evolution, but in 2005, the Ministry reportedly suspended five teachers for advocating evolution too strongly. ... "In my school three out of five science teachers only teach creationism and I face pressure from them everyday. They also try to turn the children against us in their classes, saying we are atheists," a teacher told ISN Security Watch on the condition of anonymity. The AKP is a moderate Islamist party attempting to resell itself as a block of Muslim Christian democrats. The analogy with European political traditions makes sense, since the time of Ataturk Turkey has been trying re-brand i... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1298759 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:30:37 +0100 1298759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1241947&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F237472351%2Fsmart_people_believe_in_evolut.php Half Sigma is mining the GSS to try and understand the correlates of acceptance of the fact of evolution. He notes: Of course it's not surprising that smarter people are more likely to believe in evolution, but the difference is pretty extraordinary. Only 15% of people with Wordsum 10 disbelieve in evolution (although it's a pretty small sample size), while a whopping 57% of people with Wordum 6 (which is the average score) disbelieve in evolution. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1241947 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:15:14 +0100 1241947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1230375&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F234787219%2Fcreationism_and_its_critics_in.php I stumbled upon Creationism and Its Critics in Antiquity at the bookstore. I don't have time to read it right now, but I thought I'd point to it since I'm sure some readers would be interested. Accuse me of being excessively Whiggish if you must, but it just reiterates that Creationism doesn't belong in a science class; the basic disputes are a rehash of philosophical & religious clashes which are timeless, or at least date from the rise of philosophy in the ancient world. Creationism is ahistorical; I believe it is rooted in psychological intuitions about ontology which rebel against systematic critiques which undermines naive perceptions of How the World Works. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1230375 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:49:28 +0100 1230375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1187242&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F225688077%2Fhuckabee_on_evolution.php Welcome to the 18th century Presidential candidate (under the fold): Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1187242 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:41:53 +0100 1187242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1181625&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2F224197924%2Fbest_headline_ever_1.php He really does. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Respectful Insolence) Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1181625 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:00:43 +0100 1181625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146778&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F215056426%2Fmy_scibling_speaks_at_nescent.php From an e-mail from the Science Communicators of North Carolina: At noon on Friday, January 18, the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) in Durham will host a seminar by Josh Rosenau, the Public Information Project Director at the National Center for Science Education. Rosenau, who is in town for the Science blogging conference, will opine on the subject of "Talking to the Media about Evolution and Creationism." The discussion is sure to be lively. Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146778 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:34:43 +0100 1146778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1131049&cid=t_110695_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomensbioethics.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fhaving-cake-is-different-from-eating.html (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1131049 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:51:00 +0100 1131049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1113887&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2F205334652%2Fstupidest_creationist_rant_ever.php You be the judge: I believe, first of all, evolution is a crock. It takes a lot of faith to believe that I came from an ameba. A lot of faith! So evolution should be taught in Faith Class, otherwise known in parochial schools as Religion Class. It's a crazy world we live in. Crazier every day. But one of the craziest notions that ever came down the pike is evolution. Who in his right mind would ever believe that the complicated homo sapien derived from a speck? That's getting the larger from the smaller. No, it's an even crazier world when a clueless twit like Grant Swank can write something as scientifically ignorant as this and not be laughed off the Internet. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Respectful Insolence) Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1113887 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:50:28 +0100 1113887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1079872&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F196766559%2Fcreationism_is_paganism_says_v.php Archy reports that the papal official astronomer said so: Believing that God created the universe in six days is a form of superstitious paganism, the Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno claimed yesterday. Brother Consolmagno, who works in a Vatican observatory in Arizona and as curator of the Vatican meteorite collection in Italy, said a "destructive myth" had developed in modern society that religion and science were competing ideologies. He described creationism, whose supporters want it taught in schools alongside evolution, as a "kind of paganism" because it harked back to the days of "nature gods" who were responsible for natural events. And, as Archy reminds us, Intelligent Design Creationism is just one form, the slickest and most dishonest, of Creationism. Now, who will tell th... A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1079872 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:38:52 +0100 1079872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070974&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F195298752%2Fdiscovery_institute_bloviates.php I mentioned that the Discovery Institute was in Iowa yesterday, accusing Iowa State University (and specifically, professors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy) of conspiring against assistant professor Guillermo Gonzalez, an intelligent design advocate and fellow of the Discovery Institute. I was unable to attend, but Evil Monkey headed to Des Moines to cover the event, and has his initial thoughts on the dog 'n' pony show up at Neurotopia. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070974 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:40:00 +0100 1070974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1058250&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F192362245%2Fthe_di_comes_to_iowa.php Like the gift that never stops giving, the Discovery Institute is taking its dog and pony show on the road, and heading right here to Iowa in order to plead (via press conference) Discovery Institute fellow Guillermo Gonzalez's case for tenure. You may recall the Iowa State assistant professor of astronomy was denied tenure there this past May, and he and the DI have contended that this was due to his support for intelligent design, rather than any other issues with his performance or scholarship. Not content to simply leave it at that, Gonzalez has appealed his tenure denial, and is continuing to do so all the way to the Board of Regents, which will visit the issue in February. However, as PZ and Wes highlight, the DI is kick-starting their "Gonzalez as martyr" case a bit early. More af... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1058250 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:30:00 +0100 1058250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1051376&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F190752500%2Fthree_takes_on_the_creation_mu.php John Scalzi (as well as this) Thomas Robey Jason Rosenhouse Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1051376 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:10:50 +0100 1051376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1049903&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F190612316%2Fthis_is_faith.php Rock of Ages, Ages of Rock: . To the young-earth creationists, this is both unscientific and dubiously religious. "We don't subscribe to this idea of the 'God of gaps,' meaning if you can't explain something, then blame God," Whitmore told me before describing a method that hardly seemed more scientific. "Instead, we think: 'Here's what the Bible says. Now let's go to the rocks and see if we find the evidence for it.' " Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1049903 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:42:18 +0100 1049903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1022538&cid=t_110695_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F184125584%2Fjudgment_day.php I am not much of a TV watcher, but tonight at 8pm EST, I'll be tuning in to my local PBS station to see Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial. If you were too busy or bored to read all the media and blog coverage of the Dover trial, this is your opportunity to catch up in one easy bite - the buzz is that the movie is excellent. Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1022538 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:03:50 +0100 1022538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=856747&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2F154426662%2Ffresh_jack_chick_tract.php The Secular Outpost informs me of the existence of a brand new Jack Chick tract. I don't know if it truly is new or not, but it does have its copyright listed as 2007. This time around, Jack is explaining why the dinosaurs really died out. (Hint: It wasn't some big nasty meteor millions of years ago.) It starts out with humans hunting a dinosaur and degenerates from there. (Click on the picture for the full tract.) This was so silly that at first I thought it must be a parody. But then I remembered: This is Jack Chick we're talking about here. I will say one thing, though. The picture of the baby dinosaur hatching from its egg is cuter than almost anything I can recall ever having seen Chick draw. I'll also give him props for coming up with what has to be the most mind-bogglingly dum... Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=856747 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:01:09 +0100 856747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=809993&cid=t_110695_107_f&fid=36045&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbayblab.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fjames-hansen-strikes-back-on-climate.html In a newly-released statement, James Hansen, NASA scientist responsible for their temperature data, explains "what's really going on" with recent headlines that described errors in reported climate data and raised concerns regarding the realities of global warming. Yes, says Hansen, we made errors, the blogger told us about them, and we corrected them. The corrections are insignificant he claims, (see fig.) and were blown out of proportion by the conservative media in an effort to enable "the royalty" in power to go on destroying the Earth. In fact, he says, we already knew that 1998 wasn't the warmest year on record, and they reported this previously. He should've just stopped with the data ("Just shut up James. You had me at no significant difference). But no. The latter half of the lett... Bayblab blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=809993 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:58:00 +0100 809993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=810016&cid=t_110695_107_f&fid=36045&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbayblab.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fscientists-please-visit-your-local.html I want to give a shout out to the folks at biologist helping bookstores, who browse the science sections of local bookstores and move creationist books to the religion section, and astrology to the science fiction section. I applaud you!If only for entertainment purposes, check out Behe's last book, "the edge of evolution", or better yet, just read dawkin's review. oh snap:"I had expected to be as irritated by Michael Behe's second book as by his first. I had not expected to feel sorry for him. The first — "Darwin's Black Box" (1996), which purported to make the scientific case for "intelligent design" — was enlivened by a spark of conviction, however misguided. The second is the book of a man who has given up. Trapped along a false path of his own rather unintelligent design, Behe has... Bayblab blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=810016 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:18:00 +0100 810016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=785918&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F141788917%2Fdo_no_evil_bad_google.php I mentioned earlier that Google News had kicked ScienceBlogs off their news feed, but left the Discovery Institute's blog. Well, look at what showed up today in my "Google Alerts" for the query "human evolution": Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=785918 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:51:05 +0100 785918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=752876&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F136761889%2Fharun_yahya_big_fat_joke_ok_no.php Most of you could probably guess that my first post on Harun Yahya was meant to highlight what a joke the whole affair was. You see, making fun of Harun Yahya and his fellow travelers is a guiltless pleasure: you get to be snobby and elitist toward those idiotic moronic knuckle-draggers, and, you feel righteous about it because you're on the side of the angels!. How much of a hilarious incident was this? The first segment of Bloggingheads.tv was devoted to it, and the two pundits, neither of whom had a science background, thought it was pretty sneer and smirk worthy. That's what I told Ali when he asked me what I thought of the article, basically, I'd been laughing my ass off about how stupid those primitive Muslims were. Now, I know that not all Muslims are primitive let alone stupid. Nev... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=752876 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:57:22 +0100 752876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=741462&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F134766819%2Fharun_yahya_who_is_funding_him.php As a follow up to my post mocking Harun Yahya, check out Ali Eteraz's impressive post exploring his possible sources of funding and affiliations. My own immediate instinct was to assume that he was a front for Saudi $$$; Ali points to reasons why this is unlikely. The argument is circumstantial and based on elimination of possibilities, but at least it pushes the ball forward. (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=741462 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:52:25 +0100 741462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=740402&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F134652637%2Fbe_a_scientific_consultant_for.php By now, regular readers will probably be familiar with The Clergy Letter Project spearheaded by Michael Zimmerman. Formulated in part to respond to the framing of the evolution controversy as a battle between science and religion, the letter now boasts more than 10,700 signatures from clergy, and have sponsored Evolution Sunday events for the past 2 years. Well, Zimmerman has a new project now: Our latest initiative is to create a list of scientists around the world who are willing to answer scientific questions posed by clergy who are supportive of modern science in general and evolution in particular (http://www.butler.edu/clergyproject/rel_expert_data_base.htm). In just a bit over three weeks, we already have over 200 scientists signed up to help out. I hasten to add that the inform... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=740402 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:25:00 +0100 740402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=738949&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F134474670%2Fmuslim_creationism_morons_a_pu.php The New York Times has a funny article up, Islamic Creationist and a Book Sent Round the World, which recounts the mass distribution (gratis) of Harun Yahya's latest tract, a lavishly illustrated and packaged glossy book which aims to show that evolution didn't occur. This is chuckle worthy: He said people who had received copies were "just astounded at its size and production values and equally astonished at what a load of crap it is. "If he sees a picture of an old fossil crab or something, he says, 'See, it looks just like a regular crab, there's no evolution,' " Dr. Padian said. "Extinction does not seem to bother him. He does not really have any sense of what we know about how things change through time." .... While they said they were unimpressed with the book's content, recipient... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=738949 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:14:32 +0100 738949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729842&cid=t_110695_107_f&fid=35762&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgrrlscientist%2F%7E3%2F132986618%2Fthe_creation_according_to_the.php tags: creationism, creation story, humor, satire, streaming video Richard Dawkins spent so much time crafting his arguments, but comedian Ricky Gervais did an even better job refuting the creation story simply by reading the Bible aloud. [9:57] Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)) Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729842 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:59:31 +0100 729842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=725144&cid=t_110695_107_f&fid=35762&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgrrlscientist%2F%7E3%2F132285741%2Fan_afternoon_spent_refuting_cr.php tags: creationism lies, fossils, ordovician, avian, streaming video A streaming video revealing that the Creationist museum was built upon a huge layer of Ordovician fossils, including brachiopods, trilobites, and bryozoans [10:11] Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)) Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=725144 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:59:33 +0100 725144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=707334&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F129481962%2Fanswers_in_genesis_doth_protes.php AiG volunteers confront gay man, love sodomites: We asked the lone gentleman behind the booth about the origins of the rainbow colors as a symbol for the homosexual movement. He gave us some history, apparently in San Francisco is where it originated. It was meant to reflect the diversity of lifestyles. This was an easy springboard to a discussion of the origins of the actual rainbow. We talked about Noah's flood and God's promise to Noah (and by implication all people down through the times, including sodomites, whom we love) that He would never destroy the world again through a global flood. Read all about their adventures at the National Education Association meeting on their "Evolution Exposed" blog. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=707334 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 15:00:00 +0100 707334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=694129&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F127735622%2Fcreation_museummore_posts_from.php I mentioned that a whole group of us went to the Creation Museum in Kentucky. Professor Steve Steve has his account now up at the Thumb, while Jason Rosenhouse has a two-parter at EvolutionBlog, and Wes Elsberry's account is here. Oh, and a group picture: Rear, L to R: Evil Monkey, Richard Hoppe ("RBH"), Wes Elsberry, Andrea "I'm Italian, not female!" Bottaro, Jason Rosenhouse, and Art Hunt. Front row: RBH's wife (whose name I didn't catch, sorry!); journalist Lauri Lebo; me; Professor Steve Steve, and Art's daughter (and Steve Steve's kind tour guide), Amy Hunt. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=694129 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:00:00 +0100 694129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=688558&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F126794707%2Ffield_trip_to_the_creation_mus.php I mentioned I was back in Ohio last week. The occasion was the celebration of my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary, but while I was in the area, a number of us from Panda's Thumb also met up south of Cincinnati to take our own tour of Answers in Genesis' Creation Museum. (Wesley has a picture of the group here; I'll also try to scan in another "official" picture tomorrow). My brain still hurts. My thoughts on everything below (with photos, of course): Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=688558 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:10:00 +0100 688558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=676045&cid=t_110695_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2F125382398%2Fcreationists_behe.php Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=676045 Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:06:11 +0100 676045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=674453&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceblogs.com%2Feffectmeasure%2F2007%2F06%2Flets_just_believe_everything.php We all know it is possible for people to hold two contradictory ideas in their head at the same time. Evolution and creationism are a case in point. Apparently in a recent USAToday/Gallup Poll, a majority of my fellow citizens responded they believe both are likely explanations for life on earth. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=674453 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:02:18 +0100 674453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=650571&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F121468613%2Feven_answers_in_genesis_thinks.php Back when I used to discuss evolution directly with creationists more frequently, I'd often cite Answers in Genesis' page of Arguments we think creationists should not use" page. I hadn't checked this out in awhile, and forgot they have on there as an argument that is "doubtful, hence, inadvisable to use:" "Natural selection is a tautology." Yet that was just the argument given by Egnor in several posts, starting here--so even the young-earthers think Egnor has something to learn. Typical me. I'm the one who always thinks of the snappy comeback hours after a comment is made too.... Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=650571 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:00:00 +0100 650571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=623770&cid=t_110695_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F118096761%2F A post by PZ Meyers at Pharyngula today states that “Our school boards are broken“: One of the big problems is that any idiot who may well lack any experience i education, or even any interest in education beyond destroying it, can run for school board and actually get elected. Case in point: Ken Willard, one of the Kansas rubes who tried to get Intelligent Design creationism into the curriculum, has just upped the ante and decided to run for the national presidency of the association of state boards of education. It’s incredible—he’s an insurance executive with no competence and no qualifications other than that he’s a fervent dogmatist who wants his religious beliefs taught, and that he has the backing of the Discovery Institute. Meyers’ concern is... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=623770 Sun, 20 May 2007 04:25:13 +0100 623770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=529716&cid=t_110695_107_f&fid=35009&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsciencesque.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F04%2F08%2Fframing-science-a-new-skin-for-the-old-ceremony%2F     The blogosphere is all lit up with views and commentary on the “Framing Science” article by Matthew Nisbet and Chris Mooney. Interesting discussion can be found at Sandwalk, A Blog Aroung The Clock (and links within), Pharyngula, as well as Matthew Nisbet’s site. Essentially, the article argues that scientists are losing the battle of popular opinion because they don’t frame science in a way that normal folk can relate to. People glaze over when someone start to talk science. Unless scientists and science writers get better at communicating with the public, so the argument goes, we will lose valuable mind-space to interests that are better “framers”, such as Conservative politicians and the Intelligent Design movement. If only scientis... Sciencesque blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=529716 Sun, 08 Apr 2007 22:37:27 +0100 529716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=515399&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F105885717%2Fcan_you_tell_the_difference_be.php Check this entry out first. More here and at Pharyngula. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=515399 Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:15:00 +0100 515399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=512043&cid=t_110695_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2F105421464%2Fbest_or_worst_birthday_card_ever.php While looking for a birthday card for a relative a while back, I found this card and was intrigued enough to buy it, even though it wasn't appropriate for the person for whom I was seeking a card: So far, it's just pretty standard Bush-chimp stuff, a staple of comedy ever since W. took office. But what got me was the inside of the card: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Respectful Insolence) Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512043 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:01:53 +0100 512043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=473705&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F101687299%2Fnothing_to_do_this_weekend.php Just a reminder that there will be a symposium this weekend discussing evolution and intelligent design at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. The event is geared toward those interested in matters of faith or science; teachers; principals; college students majoring in education, science and religion/philosophy; clergy; and parish educators. Scholarships are available for the first 200 K-12 educators, board of education members, school administrators, etc. who apply--still plenty of those left, so if you know anyone who'd be interested, point them in our direction. I'm including the text of one press release below the jump; all the information (including registration and hotel) can be found at the symposium website. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source:... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=473705 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:10:00 +0100 473705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=458248&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F100271758%2Fskiff_long_on_rhetoric_short_o.php Our local "Dissenter from Darwinism," Fred Skiff, gave a talk last Friday. Prior to the talk, I predicted: One, that Skiff will provide a strawman version of evolutionary theory (heck, and science itself) as he did last time I saw him speak... Two, that Skiff will assert or imply that evolution implies atheism, and that if one accepts methodological naturalism, one therefore must also accept philosophical naturalism, and choose between evolutionary theory and their religious beliefs. Three, that he will assert that "intelligent design" is the sensible alternative to "orthodox" science, but its study is being repressed by "Darwinists" or something of that nature. All I gotta say is: damn, I'm good. In a bit of what I assume was unintended irony, Skiff was introduced with a comment noting ... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=458248 Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:30:00 +0100 458248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=450329&cid=t_110695_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F94745250%2Fskiff.php Via From Right 2 Left, I see that U of Iowa physics professor. Fred Skiff, will be speaking on intelligent design next week: At the next "Finding God at Iowa" Lunch Forum, Fred Skiff, University of Iowa professor of physics and astronomy, will speak on the theory of intelligent design. The forum will be held from noon to 1 p.m. March 2, in the Ohio State Room (Room 343) on the third floor of the Iowa Memorial Union. Skiff will offer "A 'Fireside Chat' on Intelligent Design." He will discuss some of the questions underlying the debate over intelligent design in nature, such as: What are the appropriate assumptions, methods, and limits of science? Can the intelligent design argument be properly made within the realm of science? Why am I so dismayed (well, besides the obvious)? More after ... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=450329 Fri, 23 Feb 2007 13:30:00 +0100 450329