Wow - we went to see "Expelled" over the weekend. Can't find it much on movie internet sites, but it is a very interesting documentary. I highly recommend it regardless of your views on Darwinian evolution.
Due to my years of study on World War II and the Nazis, I found the part on eugenics fascinating as well as horrifying. Ben Stein visited Dachau, a former concentration camp near Munich, Germany where political prisoners' and countless Jews' lives were snuffed out. He also visited Hadamar Hospital, converted now to a museum, where over 14,000 of the mentally ill and physically disabled were gassed by the Nazis.
Interestingly enough, when Mr. Stein asked people if they thought Hitler was insane none agreed. Social Darwinian thought was prevalent throughout Europe both before and after World War II. Events after World War I only solidified thoughts which led to the atrocities of actions by the Third Reich.
The point of Mr. Stein's movie is to allow freedom of thought and debate instead of the tactics currently employed in many scientific fields, some rather reminiscent of the Nazis. Many renowned scientists in America are losing their jobs, losing grants, denied tenure, or pressured to resign because of simply questioning certain segments of Darwinian belief.
There are legitimate holes in the theory - which is why it is called a "theory" and not "fact". Good science allows for questioning. Hopefully this movie will be an avenue leading to the table of open and free debate.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Yes. Good science does require questions, discussion, and repeatability. Unfortunately, you have some out there that want to insert their own ideals past discussion and into the classroom. This I disagree with. Darwin’s theory of natural selection can be seen. We see it in Bacteria (antibiotic resistance), viruses (mutation), and slowly we see it in ourselves (appendix).
Other theories are welcome . . . as long as their purpose isn’t to derail science education and place it in the realm of religion and philosophy. These are two totally different schools of thought.
In other words, I’ve taken Microbiology. On the final was a question about antibiotic resistance. If I would have answered: God deemed it so, I would have flunked.
I’d like to see this movie too. Sorry about the rant, this subject is very close to my heart.
B
By all means, oh Mighty Bri, give the instructor what he wants. It's his classroom. The purpose of the test is to see how well one has been paying attention to what he's been teaching all semester.
But please explain to me exactly what mutations we see as helpful to the host. Mutations either have no effect or a negative effect on the individual.
Please explain to me why the rates of absorption of hydrogen and helium in the earth's crust do not support Darwin's theory.
Please explain to me why the only place one finds the geologic column as it appears in textbooks is in the textbooks. Kansas alone is "missing" two entire layers.
The point Mr. Stein is bringing out in the movie is not to say it shouldn't be taught but to allow for the free flow of questions and debate. But unfortunately, as he points out, far too many people are losing jobs merely for asking questions or allowing discussion that challenges the many holes in Darwin's theory.
I agree - this subject is near and dear to many hearts, mine included. But hey, we're doing exactly what Mr. Stein wishes by putting the subject on the table and having a discussion. Never apologize for that. :-)
"But please explain to me exactly what mutations we see as helpful to the host."
While Darwin was on the HMS Beagle he found many mutations helpful to the local animals in the Galapagos Islands. Color changes, different patterns that developed to camouflage, beak changes in birds to help them eat shellfish.
Even some harmful mutations have a point. Sickle Cell Anemia is a scourge in the United States, but it makes the host resistant to Malaria. In Africa, this is a life saver.
In Geology, I've never heard of Darwin's theory used. My training is mainly biological and chemical, so using the theory to explain earth bound geological properties seems a little alien.
So I'm lost here. Might feel compelled to study . . . might.
B
I have a very interesting book for you then. Oh forgive me, it's something like, "The Black Box of Darwin" or something like that, written by a biochemist by the name of Behe. He's not religious or anything, but he also has some questions concerning the theory, couldn't get any of his papers published for peer review, so decided to write a book. I think Random or Simon & Schuster published it. It's been a long time since I read it, but you might find it rather interesting.
Darwin believed that the archaelogical record would eventually support his theory, via the stratum and fossil record. It hasn't thus far.
Thanks for continuing the discussion! :-)
Post a Comment