Well, I am now officially working on the final term paper on intelligent design - I won't give the concept enough credit or respect by capitalizing the words. So, here is a bit of a rant at the moronic absurdity that is intelligent design. Hey, I need the practice!
First off, before I go any further, let me tell you a wee bit about myself. I am a firm believer in evolution as a fact of nature - one that is essential to all life sciences such as biology, genetics, and especially medical research and technology. I am also a Christian - I do indeed believe in God, Jesus, etc., - but I know the difference between science and religion. Apparently, the Discovery Institute does not. I believe that evolution is just the process by which life came about - whether one believes in a supernatural Creator or not is irrelevant. Evolution is not intended to quantify or justify such a being's existance. Actually, such a concept is rarely if ever discussed in scientific circles - because it is outside our domain of study. We are scientists - not theologians - and I truly wish the Discovery Institute and their ken would cease confusing the two.
Do the supporters of 'intelligent' design take themselves and their loved ones to the doctors to keep them healthy and alive? If they do, then they are hypocrites - unwilling to risk their families' lives where their so-called "faith" apparently lies. If God's means of providing life is so essentially different from evolution, then these folks should rely on prayers alone to keep their loved ones healthy and alive.
The "evils" of evolution should not be permitted access to their families' lives whatsoever - for fear of them losing their faith. Medical science has its foundation in evolution. If you take evolution away - there would be no funding whatsoever for ailments like Parkinsons, MS, ALS, cancer, AIDS, etc. Also, if you are a supporter of id, I suggest that you refrain from giving donations to those causes since the legislation you wish to push forward will make it a veritable waste of money. Remember, that once put through legislation - successfully - all children educated in our public schools will not be capable of entering medical school at any reputable institution. So don't push them to become doctors if you want them to remain faithful to God.
What exactly do these vermin intend to do? Do they really plan to change the face of science and technology into a theocratic endeavor? If they do then there will be quite dire circumstances! Our nation's children will no longer be able to compete in higher education, especially in the sciences or medicine. You don't truly believe that medical doctors are supporters of id? They better not be, if they want to keep their practice.
I just read a "christian" conservative perspective on the issue and found that they use scientific terminology out of context to combat evolution. This is no surprise - since they love to twist words and take them so far out of context as to make them nearly unrecognizable to the person who originally said them. They are actually attempting to use genetics as support for id. This makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever - since genetics is one of the strongest pieces of evidence for evolution.
The argument about perfect order from the creationists - is so absurd and out of touch with reality as to be downright silly. If the eye is so damn perfect, then why are people and animals born blind? Why are eyes so prone to fail in their sight - if God's world and creations are so absolutely perfect?
The Discovery Institute uses the general public's ignorance regarding science to drive their political agenda home. They put the average American in an impossible position - choose God or the physical reality in which they live! Nobody should be expected to have to make such a choice! To force the issue is cruelty and harbors such dire circumstances as to be absolutely sickening!
He who is without sin, cast the first stone!!! He who is so absolutely perfect, stand up and make yourself known to all!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
A Ranting Update
Just want to update about what's happening. Lots of work happening - especially the written kind - and much more to come. Among the many pieces we're doing for the writing class is a research paper of our own choosing and related to our field of interest. My choice was of course the always popular Intelligent Design Creationism debate that still rages on here in the United States, for some unknown reason. One of the first articles I read regarding this debate said something to the effect of: scientists proved that evolution takes place without the need for an intelligent creator. The reality of the situation is that the scientific theory of evolution only shows and proves that change occurs over time. The creationists also keep slinging mud by claiming that evolutionists are atheists - which is inherently not true. Most people who have enough damn sense to realize that evolution is a reality and a fact of life (pun intended) - are also religious persons who do believe in a higher power and a creator but just believe that evolution is the means by which life came to exist on Earth. Most religious people do not adhere to the Intelligent Design belief. Also, Charles Darwin himself was a devout Christian!
I would love to know who threw the first volley of mud at whom - and when this occurred. I do believe it occurred in Darwin's time. Somebody crossed the line between science and religion and now we have more serious problems because of it. Fortunately, our opponents are not the brightest bulbs on the planet - though they claim to be true "scientists"- that remains to be seen. I've actually seen some evidence that seriously puts their expertise into question.
Why is it so dangerous a concept if noone in their right mind would believe such absurdities? Because of those elected officials overstepping their boundaries and attempting to change things in our society for the worse based upon the unproven claims of so-called "scholars" trying to literally dumb down our entire society. If legislation does go through promoting ID/C we will lose the respect of every other nation on the Earth. Not to mention ruining further advancement in many sciences and related fields - including medical research and medicine itself. I wonder if the proponents of ID/C utilize the medical facilities of this country to take care of injuries and illnesses. If they do, then they are true hypocrites - and should lose all credibility they currently have. Why do I say this? Because - to undermine and utterly destroy the same system that keeps oneself and one's family and loved ones alive and healthy is like biting the hand that feeds you. Also, if evolution and its related scientific theories are so damn false, then how can these people trust doctors and other medical professionals with their lives if their work is based upon lies and mere "theories"?!
Back to my update! Besides the ID/C debate paper which will be approximately eight pages long - I also have the option to do extra credit papers for the oceanography class I am taking. Each paper is to be five pages long, and about a marine organism (or organisms like diatoms, dinoflagellates, etc.). The more of these extra credit papers I do the higher my final grade. This is very good for me in two ways: I tend to do much much better on papers/essays than on regular exams AND this gives me a chance to show my advisor/professor what I am capable of. A chance to impress the daylights out of him - if that is at all possible! Yay for me!
I already have a couple ideas rolling around in my mind for potential topics: meiofauna and nudibranchs. That's just a start! Meiofauna are tiny microscopic animals that live among the soft sediment of the sea floor and are abundant enough to be food for certain filter feeding animals like clams, worms, and sea cucumbers. Nudibranchs are sea slugs - but some have a very bizarre feature. They eat sea anemones and jellyfish and somehow transfer these animals' stinging tentacles to protrude from their backs - using them as defense against predators. Both topics sound very promising and worth the effort.
Until next time!
I would love to know who threw the first volley of mud at whom - and when this occurred. I do believe it occurred in Darwin's time. Somebody crossed the line between science and religion and now we have more serious problems because of it. Fortunately, our opponents are not the brightest bulbs on the planet - though they claim to be true "scientists"- that remains to be seen. I've actually seen some evidence that seriously puts their expertise into question.
Why is it so dangerous a concept if noone in their right mind would believe such absurdities? Because of those elected officials overstepping their boundaries and attempting to change things in our society for the worse based upon the unproven claims of so-called "scholars" trying to literally dumb down our entire society. If legislation does go through promoting ID/C we will lose the respect of every other nation on the Earth. Not to mention ruining further advancement in many sciences and related fields - including medical research and medicine itself. I wonder if the proponents of ID/C utilize the medical facilities of this country to take care of injuries and illnesses. If they do, then they are true hypocrites - and should lose all credibility they currently have. Why do I say this? Because - to undermine and utterly destroy the same system that keeps oneself and one's family and loved ones alive and healthy is like biting the hand that feeds you. Also, if evolution and its related scientific theories are so damn false, then how can these people trust doctors and other medical professionals with their lives if their work is based upon lies and mere "theories"?!
Back to my update! Besides the ID/C debate paper which will be approximately eight pages long - I also have the option to do extra credit papers for the oceanography class I am taking. Each paper is to be five pages long, and about a marine organism (or organisms like diatoms, dinoflagellates, etc.). The more of these extra credit papers I do the higher my final grade. This is very good for me in two ways: I tend to do much much better on papers/essays than on regular exams AND this gives me a chance to show my advisor/professor what I am capable of. A chance to impress the daylights out of him - if that is at all possible! Yay for me!
I already have a couple ideas rolling around in my mind for potential topics: meiofauna and nudibranchs. That's just a start! Meiofauna are tiny microscopic animals that live among the soft sediment of the sea floor and are abundant enough to be food for certain filter feeding animals like clams, worms, and sea cucumbers. Nudibranchs are sea slugs - but some have a very bizarre feature. They eat sea anemones and jellyfish and somehow transfer these animals' stinging tentacles to protrude from their backs - using them as defense against predators. Both topics sound very promising and worth the effort.
Until next time!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Updates and Decisions
I'm here for an update on what's been going on. Dr. Jones just got in from the dinosaur farm out in Wyoming - if I play my cards right I am hoping to get out there myself one of these days - preferably in the near future. Such is life, I guess!
Well, I have also come to a decision as far as my furthering my career goes, anyway. It came about due to a lack of clarity in that memo assignment for class a couple of weeks ago. I realize that if I want to remain in Pittsburgh and work on becoming a professional paleontologist - I might as well utilize those resources at my current location to the fullest extent I can. So, to make a long story short: I am seriously considering grad school and majoring in geology - basically to get a M.S. degree in Geology - or higher - whatever the case may be. I can choose my subfield whenever I wish at this point but the current resources are pretty limited at the moment around these parts - at least as far as pursuing a paleo degree like I plan to - despite the affiliation of this university with the Carnegie Museums.
This also gives me a chance to beef up my other scientific skills and knowledge - like the biology and chemistry I will be needing at some point in the future. There is also the fact that I do have at least one or two non-paleo related topics for research - including Yellowstone - which has become a more practical project than it was originally. Also, I have been reminded about a Yellowstone field camp that exists - absolutely perfect for grad school and my project.
The writing class is being taylored to each person's individual field and interests - focusing on career and job research - in the form of memos, reports, outlines, resume, a cover letter, and a career related research paper. This is forcing me to make decisions I hadn't even realized I even needed to make and crunching it all into a mere six weeks. Also, my instructor mentioned helping me during office hours with a career statement for grad school - we don't get to do that officially for class so it has to be during her office hours.
Also, due to some mismanagement on my part - I am now needing to think and set up a more set-in-stone study and classwork routine for the rest of the semester. I even found an old semester weekly planner on an old disk from 2001 and have already started to change it to my current status. A helpful form of damage control, if you will. Good thing it won't take too big a bite out of my plans - besides, classes will be finishing for the summer in just 3-4 weeks - though now that means crunch time for me. I guess I can look at the bright side of my one friend going on a cruise at the end half of the month.
While I was at it looking through old disks - I found a bunch of old project work - including that related to the Pleistocene Mass Extinction - among other things. I really need to put it all together into one master document so I can play with it and keep it in just one disk - or two for a backup. I might as well do this with the other project work I've found, too - just so that it's all in one place when I need it in the near future. Well, I printed out everything I found important so far and will have to go through the rest of the disks at a later date to get the rest. I even found and salvaged an old powerpoint project from a French class - it might look good in my portfolio. Now, if only I could find the oone on Paleontology I did way back when... I would be a very happy camper.
Well, I have also come to a decision as far as my furthering my career goes, anyway. It came about due to a lack of clarity in that memo assignment for class a couple of weeks ago. I realize that if I want to remain in Pittsburgh and work on becoming a professional paleontologist - I might as well utilize those resources at my current location to the fullest extent I can. So, to make a long story short: I am seriously considering grad school and majoring in geology - basically to get a M.S. degree in Geology - or higher - whatever the case may be. I can choose my subfield whenever I wish at this point but the current resources are pretty limited at the moment around these parts - at least as far as pursuing a paleo degree like I plan to - despite the affiliation of this university with the Carnegie Museums.
This also gives me a chance to beef up my other scientific skills and knowledge - like the biology and chemistry I will be needing at some point in the future. There is also the fact that I do have at least one or two non-paleo related topics for research - including Yellowstone - which has become a more practical project than it was originally. Also, I have been reminded about a Yellowstone field camp that exists - absolutely perfect for grad school and my project.
The writing class is being taylored to each person's individual field and interests - focusing on career and job research - in the form of memos, reports, outlines, resume, a cover letter, and a career related research paper. This is forcing me to make decisions I hadn't even realized I even needed to make and crunching it all into a mere six weeks. Also, my instructor mentioned helping me during office hours with a career statement for grad school - we don't get to do that officially for class so it has to be during her office hours.
Also, due to some mismanagement on my part - I am now needing to think and set up a more set-in-stone study and classwork routine for the rest of the semester. I even found an old semester weekly planner on an old disk from 2001 and have already started to change it to my current status. A helpful form of damage control, if you will. Good thing it won't take too big a bite out of my plans - besides, classes will be finishing for the summer in just 3-4 weeks - though now that means crunch time for me. I guess I can look at the bright side of my one friend going on a cruise at the end half of the month.
While I was at it looking through old disks - I found a bunch of old project work - including that related to the Pleistocene Mass Extinction - among other things. I really need to put it all together into one master document so I can play with it and keep it in just one disk - or two for a backup. I might as well do this with the other project work I've found, too - just so that it's all in one place when I need it in the near future. Well, I printed out everything I found important so far and will have to go through the rest of the disks at a later date to get the rest. I even found and salvaged an old powerpoint project from a French class - it might look good in my portfolio. Now, if only I could find the oone on Paleontology I did way back when... I would be a very happy camper.
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