Talk

Creationism is back?

Repackage the same old drivel and this time someone might buy it. Creationism is coming back under the argument of Intelligent Design. People have gotten as far as to convince politicians to allow Intelligent Design be taught as an alternative theory?

Scientific American is arming the populace with ammunition to ward of these intelligent designers. [via metafilter]

Here is a summary of the salient myths and their anitodes.

1. Evolution is an unproven theory not a law or fact.

Theories are a substantiated explanation of some phenomenon. Laws pertain to observable and determinable phenomenon. You can have a law about motion of objects. You cannot have a law about subatomic particles since you cannot exactly observe them. This is why it is called a theory of evolution, but evolution by itself is a proven fact.

2. Natural Selection is based on circular reasoning. Only the fit survive, and those who survive are the fittest.

In reality the discussion is more about adaptive fitness. Species that select the features that aid their survival are the victors.

3. If humans descended from monkeys, why are monkeys still around?

The evolution of a sub species makes no comment about the parent species and is independent of the parent species.

4. Evolution cannot explain how life first appeared on Earth

Biochemists have a decent idea of the early chemical processes that resulted in the amino acids (basics of life).

Finally more resources to counter Creationism

Update: More info at physicstoday.org