Evolution: A Web Companion

April 19, 2006 6:55 AM

Evolution: A Web Companion. 'The expanding universe is both awesome and humbling. When looking closely at nature—whether through a telescope, microscope, or computer visualization of collected data—one cannot help being struck by the intricacies and complexities observed. The magnitude of the cosmos, the power of natural forces, and the extent of deep time, however, alert us to how small and transient we are...'
Related :- The Writings of Charles Darwin (previous thread); Talk Origins; Understanding Evolution.
posted by plep (10 comments total)

Kirk Cameron is shaking in his boots...
posted by RufusW at 7:01 AM on April 19, 2006

I know I'm shaking in mine.
posted by OmieWise at 7:04 AM on April 19, 2006

This piece of writing by Carl Sagan has a similarly awed tone, and similar subject matter. It has long struck me as particularly insightful.
posted by sindark at 7:07 AM on April 19, 2006

Thanks for that link sindark. Man, I miss old Carl right now. It would be nice to hear more voices of sanity and common sense these days.
posted by octothorpe at 7:13 AM on April 19, 2006

Neat. Debates aside (if that's at all possible), it would be nice if people who had an opinion on Darwin actually read some of the guy, and knew something about his life and where he was coming from. He's not the most economical author, but spending a few days with his stuff can be enlightening.

If only to stamp out the idea that he created "Social Darwinism," or that his theory of evolution is a normative one, i.e., natural selection leads to "better" organisms, when in fact he never says this. Natural selection leads to "more likely to succeed in a given environment" organisms, and so capital-D Design is out the window. Which can still be considered earth-shattering from a theological point of view.
posted by bardic at 8:12 AM on April 19, 2006 [1 favorite]

*earth-shattering* in a figurative sense, of course.
posted by bardic at 8:12 AM on April 19, 2006

Ken Miller, one of the expert witnesses from Kitzmiller, talks at Case Western. I'm sure it's been posted before, but it's a nice look at the 'controversy'
posted by arialblack at 8:19 AM on April 19, 2006

Good stuff. Thanks, plep.
posted by homunculus at 10:22 AM on April 19, 2006

thanks for the miller vid link, arialblack.
posted by joe lisboa at 10:26 AM on April 19, 2006

Ditto on missing Carl Sagan. He was a scientist who knew how to talk to regular people and spark their interest. Very few of those, and we need more of them.
posted by zoogleplex at 10:40 AM on April 19, 2006