Evolution’s Backers in Kansas Start Counterattack

Oh yes... so very bad!

[JayMcGee]

Outside, Looking in......

You guys have me in hysterics..... the rest of the world looks on, gob-smacked, as the nation that put a man on the moon actually gives credence to the far-right bible-thumpers idiotic ramblings.

[richlevy]

Well, as you can see in my post in the engagement thread, Kentucky will soon have it's own Creationism museum to entertain and enlighten the children so that they can complete their science education and find careers in the fast growing fields of dowsing and phrenology.

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by JayMcGee

You guys have me in hysterics..... the rest of the world looks on, gob-smacked, as the nation that put a man on the moon actually gives credence to the far-right bible-thumpers idiotic ramblings.

Try living here. It isn't as remotely humorous as outsiders might find it.

[Pie]

Originally Posted by JayMcGee

...as the nation that put a man on the moon...

That was staged on a Hollywood backlot. Didncha know?

[9th Engineer]

We wern't trying to get in the way of anything. Trying to teach evolution in two weeks means that all the information is incredibly disjointed, so we often had no idea how any of it fit together. I had lots of questions about the genetics aspect of evolution, I wanted to know how things like rapid intron mutation fit in and stuff like that.
Evolution is always going to raise lots of questions from an inquiring class because unless you have a very good teacher who puts things in the right order and gives LOTS of connecting detail that isn't in your standard textbook it doesn't make any sense. If you tell an intelligent student that evolution occurs over extremely long stretches of time, then say that it is caused by discrete events such as genetic isolation from others of the same species combined with environmental changes it's only natural that the student will want to know exactly how an event which is a few tens of years in duration can provide genetic pressure for the millions of years we were told was needed that is great enough for specification but not so great that it kills off the animals(*deep breath*).

Now, the guy wasn't the brightest bulb in the lamp (I haven't run into alot of highschool science teachers that could explain past the textbook) and he probably only used the textbook for reference, but if you want me to learn something then at least let me point out where I need some more info.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by 9th Engineer

If you tell an intelligent student that evolution occurs over extremely long stretches of time, then say that it is caused by discrete events such as genetic isolation from others of the same species combined with environmental changes it's only natural that the student will want to know exactly how an event which is a few tens of years in duration can provide genetic pressure for the millions of years we were told was needed that is great enough for specification but not so great that it kills off the animals(*deep breath*).

Who says that genetic isolation or environmental changes only last a few decades? And you don't need any particularly "great" pressure for speciation, just the separation. Both groups are then under their own normal pressures, and there is no pressure to keep them in synch if they aren't interbreeding, so they diverge.

Yes, it would have been nice if he could have explained that, but it's a question that is worded in a way that might trip up someone without a good grasp of the material, and as you say:

Now, the guy wasn't the brightest bulb in the lamp (I haven't run into alot of highschool science teachers that could explain past the textbook) and he probably only used the textbook for reference, but if you want me to learn something then at least let me point out where I need some more info.

Nothing else in the textbook has organizations arming students with tricky questions to stump the teacher. My guess is you would have found him just as "dogmatic" with any other chapter if subjected to the same level of questioning.

When you post without reading the previous posts in the thread.

[wolf]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

When you post without reading the previous posts in the thread.

I still don't get it, but I really don't give a shit.

A tail-poster is someone who comes in and posts something which has already been resolved, showing that they, obviously, have not read previous posts.
Tail-posting onto the thread instead of reading the whole thing first.
In this case I had already changed my view on the subject and moved-on, in the other camp... then V comes along and starts arguing with me, quoting an old post, not having read the ones that came after it.
Tail-posting onto the end of the thread.
It is just how it sounds.

[wolf]

Message board posting is just like that ... it's not a linear conversation. People come into a thread at different times, and even if you consider some point resolved, they may not, or just want their two cents heard, or to support another poster with whom they are in agreement.

You just don't get it. Don't worry about it.

[Flint]

I will state, without shame, that I absolutely do not feel any moral obligation to always read an entire thread before posting - especially if the thread is running up to multiple pages. I am at work. I am here, at this site, for light entertainment. In the interest of moving a conversation along, I do make an attempt to gather the context of the discussion, and not waste time re-hashing tired subjects. Unless I have something new to add, that is. Ultimately the decision is mine, and the decision is up to every user as to how they want to use the site, as long as they are following the rules. Now of course we would not enjoy the site if total anarchy erupted and every thread became a string of selfish stream-of-conciousness rants. But, there is a middle ground. For instance, I have not read much of this thread, but I am responding to a particular aspect of it. I may go back and read more if I choose to devote my time to a deeper level of participation. Or, I may post a one-off observation. It is really up to me.

Originally Posted by wolf

Message board posting is just like that ... it's not a linear conversation. People come into a thread at different times, and even if you consider some point resolved, they may not, or just want their two cents heard, or to support another poster with whom they are in agreement.

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

You just don't get it. Don't worry about it.

I think wolf gets it just fine. Maybe you don't get what she is saying.

The Stirring On The Mount
St. Helens used in drive to prove biblical creation with science

The farther removed from the county the power structure is the more I dislike it.