You find it when you least expect it! Thanks Stephanie for pointing these out to me.
Teach the Controversy
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Proving the rule
Who should learn Intelligent Design
Science made stupid
and finally Tom the Dancing Bug (You have to see a real short add before getting to the funny stuff.)
I have decided to Evolution and Intelligent Design type slogans, you know something perfect for tee-shirt imprinting. I'll be adding to it once in a while but in the meantime here are a few I think I thought up:
I have tended to hit on Micheal Behe pretty hard, for his irreducible complexity idea. I know I've mentioned Dembski, but let's get a little more specific.
William Dembski is a proponent of Intelligent Design, a mathematician and apparently a philosopher. It's interesting to note that aside from his popularly published works on his idea of Specified Complexity, he doesn't seem to have done much. Now if you want to read about his problems at Baylor and other issues, read his Wikipedia biography. I want to focus on my understanding of "Specified Complexity."
Specified Complexity is defined as a property of living things that show the information contained is both specific and complex and cannot have come about through any natural process. In my layman's term he [Dembski] defined a point at which the mathematical patterns of a living organism, such as the arrangement of proteins in bacterial flagellum, could not have come to through natural means. He defined a probability number and says if the probability exceeds this, there had to have been a designer.
Let's see if I understand this. So if 40 elements exist in a biological mechanism that joined together to perform a specific function, the probability of those items coming together cannot exceed this level he's assigned. If it does, it must be designed, if not, then evolution might have played a part.
So far anyone else have a problem with this? So he drew himself a line in the sand, that has not been proven, and says that if you cross this line you must have been designed!
What was interesting was delving into some of his supposed proof. I do have on complaint . . .OK, many, but one to address here. I believe he bases his mathematics on Michael Behe's concept of irreducible complexity. Let me word it this way, he says this probability number is based on the collected probability of all the part coming together to perform a specific function. This is an artificial idea. If a biological mechanism is not irreducibly complex, then the pieces and parts would have come to being not in a single unified arrangement with an impossibly high probability, but in smaller pieces with much lower probability pieces. Without a mechanism being irreducibly complex, there can be no probability that appears to exceed evolutionary studies.
I think what he sees is a large picture and he computes, based on his suspect line in the sand, what it would take for the large picture to appear through evolutionary theory as a complete picture all at the same time. He doesn't seem to recognize a picture is made up of many parts that came about over time. It's like the monkeys and Shakespeare analogy, if you give a monkey a typewriter and let him type for an infinite amount of time sooner or later he will type a Shakespearean sonnet. In Dembski speak the only probability computed is where the monkey types out the entire sonnet in one shot, in perfect order. If the monkey typed it one stanza at a time, the probability would be less, but he discounts that as a possibility.
OK, so I see his work based on Behe's and since Behe has admitted his work isn't even a real attack on Evolution, what does that say about Dembski's? Critics have lambasted his mathematics, which hasn't seemed to result in a meaningful dialog. He doesn't seem to accept any criticism at all. The arguments address his math, his conclusions, and even his connection with irreducible complexity. These are not isolated critiques, but it seems everything he has wriitten has been pretty well torn apart!
I think the writer of this work, "The Atlas of Creation" lives on a different planet than the rest of us. Adnan Oktar, nom de plume Harun Yahya, has set the calendar back centuries in his writings. I am posting this here so Americans can know that not all creationist movements are confined to the United States. After reading a bit more about him, his tactics make the Discovery Institute look like pikers. People are afraid of speaking out against him becuase they are afraid of being attacked by radical Islamists and the organization he founded, Science Research Foundation.
The author's comments, just in the introduction, really show his detachment from the world.
Ever read "Unconfirmed Sources"? It's a web site that . . . well it's hard to explain. Go take a look at this article deals with the destruction of the town of Dover PA, just like Pat Robertson implied when the results of the "Kitzmiller et al, vs the Dover School Board" Trial hit the news. I love "The Keep America Safe From Gods Wrath Amendment" at the very end. You have to read this! God must have a sense of humor!
The topic of this blog has also appeared in "Dilbert", "Doonesbury", and "Non Sequiter", to name a few. As I come across them, I'll link them here. I love a good laugh, which might also explain why I write this blog.
Now before I get into the real subject matter, I would like to point out that the author of the article is one Casey Luskin, a fellow over at the Discovery Institute and host of a weekly Podcast on Intelligent Design. So just be clear that this person is already a true believer. But I do have issues with his 'proof'. His article, "The Double Standard for Intelligent Design" points to two links that he claims shows the testability of Intelligent Design. You really need to look at the links because they go right back to the Discovery Institutes's EvolutionNews website. Now if that wasn't bad enough the second link is really a link to another paper, one written by . . . guess who . . . Casey Luskin. OK, does anyone else see a problem with this circular argument. "I tell you it's proven and to prove it I will tell you once again it's proven!"
Well now on to the basic discussion, first let's address the supposed double standard. In his own article he addresses the hypothesis of a 'Multiverse' and states that since this isn't testable, how can anyone say that Intelligent Design isn't science just because it's not testable. He is forgetting a couple of things. First of all the 'Multiverse', or multiple universe idea, is not a theory in science, it is a hypothesis. Intelligent Design claims to be a theory, which is not accepted by the scientific community for many reasons, only one of them is because it is not testable. It's also not falsifiable, it's not plausible, it's not been tested, and it has not been proven through any level of experimentation. Until it becomes a theory, it doesn't deserve to be taught in public school science class. I know of no high school text that discusses the "multiverse", at best it's probably a little side note as a hypothesis.
Is it conceivable that one day we can test the hypothesis of the Multiverse? Yes, I believe it is conceivable, we can also conceive of ways to falsify the theory, in other words prove the theory is false. Tossing out a hypothesis because we cannot test NOW, but we can conceive of ways it might be tested is not the same thing as tossing out an idea [Intelligent Design] which no one has conceived of a way to test and no one has conceived a way to make it falsifiable. You might be able to test for multiple universes, but how do you test for God? I know true believers, like Mr. :uskin, will go blue in the face of denying the connection between God and Intelligent Design -- but your loud protestations haven't been working for a while. Sure in print use the term "Designer" but only someone who already buys into it will wink and nod, the rest of us just laugh at you for such a transparent and obvious lie.
Let's go into some details, in one of his paper, Mr. Luskin listed what he calls examining the evidence and seems to believe that this evidence proves design. 
Under Biochemistry, his evidence is "Natural structures have been found that contain many parts arranged in intricate patterns that perform a specific function (e.g. complex and specified information), such as irreducibly complex machines in the cell. The bacterial flagellum is a prime example. The specified complexity of protein bonds, or the simplest self-reproducing cell are other examples."
Then he says that Intelligent Design predicted this and that this proves design. My question is does it? These are Michael Behe's arguments that have been torn apart in so many places. All he's done is identify that there are complex natural structures. Evolutionary theory has many times traced the evolutionary pathways of such complex structures, including bacterial flagellum, protein bonds and self-reproducing cells. Science has proven these things are not irreducible complex, so Mr. Luskin is caught repeating an already discounted argument.
One that even Michael Behe admitted in "Reply to My Critics" that there was a defect in his view of irreducible complexity because, while it purports to be a challenge to natural selection, it does not actually address "the task facing natural selection." and that "Professor Behe wrote that he hoped to "repair this defect in future work" So the work Mr. Luskin is holding up to prove design doesn't even present a challenge to the established theory of Evolution, yet he persists on stating this is evidence of design. So, strike one, there is no proof that design that has been tested or experimented, you are only co-opting existing evolutionary proven systems and claiming they are designed.
For Paleontology, his 'evidence' is "Paleontology Biological novelty appears in the fossil record suddenly and without similar precursors. The Cambrian explosion is the prime example." While there are many scientist debating the so-called Cambrian Explosion, a period of hundreds of millions of years in which there was a great deal of diversity in the evolution of life. Evolutionary science predicted the level of complexity that Paleontology has discovered, imagine that. This argument is also a restatement of the old argument that there are gaps in the fossil record. Yes, we know there are gaps and your efforts to shove your designer theory into those gaps seems to falter every time a new fossil discovery is made. Evidence of gaps, yes, evidence of design, No!
In Systematics: "Similar parts have been found in organisms that even Darwinists see as
separated by more closely related forms that do not contain the similar parts in question. Clear examples include genes controlling eye or limb growth in different organisms whose alleged common ancestors are not thought to have had such forms of eyes or limbs." They may not have had eyes of limbs, but they could easily have the building blocks for those parts. Or if they are further down the evolutionary path, what do you call evidence of legs in the Whale? This is a similar argument where the Discovery Institute took evidence of evolution and claimed that it could have just been done as easily by an "Intelligent Agent". What proof of design is this? I also love the "alleged common ancestor" line. So he is using a theory he discounts as proof? Anyone else following this?
In Genetics: "Genetic research continues to uncover functions for “junk-DNA,” include functionality for pseudogenes, introns, LINE, and ALU elements. Examples of unknown DNA functions persist, but design encourages researchers to investigate functions, whereas Darwinism has caused some scientists to wrongly assume that non-coding DNA is junk." So what exactly is he saying here? That we don't know everything again? Thats what it sounds like to me. He's right, we don't know everything about DNA, and something once identified as 'junk-DNA' may serve unsuspected purposes. The theory of evolution isn't what classified some of the DNA as junk, it was scientists that hadn't found a use for the DNA who coined the nickname junk DNA. Again with the gaps, we don't know everything and when there is a gap, Mr. Luskin is more than willing to force his designer into the gap. And then, like an unwelcome house guest, the designer is forced out when the gap gets filled. Science is proving some of the previously identified DNA is not junk, but that doesn't mean Intelligent Design had anything to do with Genetics. Design proponents have furthered scientific investigation, I will give him that, but not in the way he seems to imply. When a design proponent, like Behe, identifies something as 'designed', it is like a call to arms and previously known gaps suddenly get attention. In a way that is furthering science, but they certainly didn't do anything but raise a finger and point to a gap.
So back to the original question, is there a double standard on testability. Intelligent Design hasn't been tested and no amount of playing gap-filler will make it so. The very idea of proving the existence or even disproving the existence of God is not within the realm of science, and that is why Intelligent Design, no matter how often you whine about not 'officially' identifying God as your Intelligent Designer, is not considered science -- get used to it.
Now if you want to talk about a double standard how about the one you [Mr. Luskin] used here? Science is expected to have all the answers, and if not you step in and try and cram your design stuff into the gap. But what answers is design supposed to have? Apparently None. Now that sounds like a double standard!
In an apparent surprising reversal today South Carolina approved two biology textbooks that had previously voted on to veto (9 to 7 against the books in Dec) to a 10-6 vote to approve! Read all about it here! January 9th 2008 is apparently a good day in South Carolina! My congrats and best wishes for the future of science education in your state! Ken Miller was there, along with about 20 members of "South Carolinians for Science Education"! I know I am not a resident of South Carolina, but I registered at your website so I can read all about it! I am also looking forward to the Videos? Tell me, Does Ms. Maguire make any statements?
I just realized this blog is all of one month old. What a month it has been! As I look back at my own posts and the source material linked from many of them I have come to a couple of Lessons Learned:
I feel another huge "Amen" coming on. The Christian Post published this article and it should be a must read for voters! Sure, let's elect a president who doesn't seem to understand science, that's a way to get things done! What other things does he not believe in? How will that color his/her presidency? Potential scary times ahead! Some of the lines in this article I liked include:
"The logic that convinces us that evolution is a fact is the same logic we use to say smoking is hazardous to your health" Could you imagine what would happen if a candidate said smoking wasn't a health hazard? The voters would tear them up! But we seem to be pretty complacent about a candidate who says they don't believe in evolution.
Francisco Ayala, a professor of biological sciences at the University of California, Irvine, however, says creationism should not be taught in schools at all. “We don’t teach astrology as an alternative to astronomy, or witchcraft as an alternative to medicine. We must not teach creationism as an alternative to evolution,” he said.
The article reported that Mike Huckabee is" . . . against restricting students to learning only one idea when others exist." I can agree with this in principle, but since there are no scientific alternatives to evolution it should be a moot point -- but it isn't. He feels Evolution is just a theory, and he stated that he doesn't expect Creationism to be taught in school, just what alternatives is he talking about?In a recent article one of the Florida State School Board members was at least honest enough to make her position clear. Donna Callaway has already indicated she will vote against the standards. By the way the new standards being voted on Feb 19 include the word Evolution, something they had previously referred to as "Change over time."
What I would like to know is why she is voting this way? Are her personal religious beliefs interfering with the trust she was given when elected to the school board? Was her position on this subject clear when the people of Florida put her in this position of trust? A long time attendee of First Baptist Tallahassee, Callaway "acknowledged [Intelligent Design] as a theory which many people accept along with others. Students need to have any proof, scientific evidence that is there. But the face that there are other theories about certain parts, at least needs to be pointed out, footnoted."
This also shows her that she buys into the Discovery Institute (DI) marketing campaign for Intelligent Design. That is the only explanation that a trusted member of the school board refers to a pseudo-scientific concept as a theory. She is doing DI's work for them. Someone needs to educate her on both her responsibilities as a member of a a school board and also what is science! At least she did say that students would need to see proof, since there isn't any for Intelligent Design, it makes it easy to skip past without mention it in the classroom. I can see it now, a student filled with religious fervor asked their biology teacher about alternatives to evolution and the teacher replies honestly, "Since the school standards say I can only discuss theories with proof, I can say there are no alternative theories of evolution with any proof!"
In the same article Oscar Howard Jr., Superintendent of Taylor County FL school district,stated "We're in opposition to teaching evolution as a fact. Evolution continues to be a theory." In fact just Last month Taylor County School Board unanimously approved a resolution saying the district is opposed to teaching evolution as a fact. Howard says he's heard from hundreds of parents who promise to pull their children out of the school system and put them in private schools, if the state approves the changes regarding evolution. I think more education is needed here as well, evolution is a fact and the Theory of Evolution is sciences explanation of how that fact works. Does his statement strike you as some form of blackmail? "If the school doesn't teach what I believe to be true, I'll take my kids and go elsewhere!" People have always had that option and I am glad they do. If they are so afraid to learn actual science that they feel the need to remove their kids from school, I say let them! Mr. Howard, just how far are you willing to water down a school curriculum to make everyone happy who might attend? You are either letting a vocal minority drive the curriculum or you are allowing your personal religious beliefs to interfere with your responsibilities!
The people of Florida need to look out for some of the other tactics used by Creationists/Intelligent Design proponents. Whether the vote on Feb 19 accepts or rejects the new standards, you will soon be hearing the "Teach the Controversy", and "Why don't we have free speech", and "Aren't alternative protected by academic freedom" mantras. If the school board rejects the new standards you can also anticipate a new level of marketing to push Intelligent Design into the science classroom. Please know you aren't alone. Other school systems, at the local and state level, have faced this challenge and many have successfully faced it down! Talk to your friends in South Carolina over the push to reject biology texts because they cover Evolution and not Creationism/Intelligent Design. More power to you!
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