Pheobe Debates The Theory of Evolution

Original scene from the show... Friends. ^ | NA | NA

[Mr.Atos]

I was just lisening to Medved debating Creationism with Athiests on the air. I found it interesting that while Medved argued his side quite effectively from the standpoint of faith, his opponents resorted to condescension and beliitled him with statements like, "when it rains, is that God crying?" I was reminded of the best (at least most amusing)debate that I have ever heard on the subject of Creationism vs Evolution, albeit a fictional setting. It occurred on the show, Friends of all places between the characters Pheobe (The Hippy) and Ross (The Paleontologist). It went like this...

Pheebs: Okay...it's very faint, but I can still sense him in the building...GO INTO THE LIGHT MR. HECKLES!!

Ross: Whoa, whoa, whoa. What, uh, you don't believe in evolution? Pheebs: Nah. Not really. Ross: You don't believe in evolution? Pheebs: I don't know. It's just, ya know, monkeys, Darwin, ya know, it's a, it's a nice story. I just think it's a little too easy.

Ross: Uh, excuse me. Evolution is not for you to buy, Phoebe. Evolution is scientific fact. Like, like, the air we breathe, like gravity... Pheebs: Uh, okay, don't get me started on gravity.

Ross: You uh, you don't believe in gravity? Pheebs: Well, it's not so much that ya know, like I don't *believe* in it, ya know. It's just...I don't know. Lately I get the feeling that I'm not so much being pulled down, as I am being pushed.

Ross: How can you NOT BELIEVE in evolution? Pheebs: [shrugs] I unh-huh...Look at this funky shirt!!

Ross: Well, there ya go. Pheebs: Huh. So now, the REAL question is: who put those fossils there, and why...?

Ross: OPPOSABLE THUMBS!! Without evolution, how do YOU explain OPPOSABLE THUMBS?!? Pheebs: Maybe the overlords needed them to steer their spacecrafts!

Pheebs: Uh-oh! Scary Scientist Man!

Pheebs: Okay, Ross? Could you just open your mind like, *this* much?? Okay? Now wasn't there a time when the brightest minds in the world believed that the Earth was flat? And up until what, like, fifty years ago, you all thought the atom was the smallest thing, until you split it open, and this like, whole mess o' crap came out! Now, are you telling me that you are so unbelievably arrogant that you can't admit that there's a teeny, tiny possibility that you could be wrong about this?!?

Pheebs: I can't believe you caved. Ross: What? Pheebs: You just ABANDONED your whole belief system! I mean, before, I didn't agree with you, but at least I respected you. Ross: But uh.. Pheebs: Yeah...how...how are you gonna go in to work tomorrow? How...how are you gonna face the other science guys? How...how are you gonna face yourself? Oh! [Ross runs away dejected] Pheebs: That was fun. So who's hungry?

[ALS]

"Thus, every accusation on this thread made by a complying poster without such evidence on the same post is of no effect whatsoever and should be ignored by all to avoid inciting anger. Unsupported allegations are meaningless."


Here's one now:
"As a final note, I want to make it clear to all Lurking that I will post abuse on stalking. I am not accusing you of stalking, gore3000 – but stalking has been going on, and if it continues, I will report it because such obsessive hatred is unhealthy to everyone on the forum."

[Doctor Stochastic]

I may disagree with you at times, but I have no complaints as to your fairness. Speaking from experience, it is not easy to act impartially during negotiations. Committee dynamics are a thing unto themselves.

[Nataku X]

Speaking strictly for myself only, I apologize for the poor timing of my "one last rant". There was no excuse for it.

If some representatives on the creationist side (not the evolutionist side, acknowledging the tendency of humans to look on their own side more favorably) agree that your suggestion of labelling me as a troll for 30 days and having a review of my behavior when the 30 days are up is appropriate, I will humbly accept the prescription.

You can ping as many complying creationists as you want, and I promise to abide by their (and your) decision.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for your vote of confidence! I'm glad we have our disagreements - it keeps life interesting and gives me opportunities to learn and grow. Hugs!

[ALS]

Lest we forget, here are plenty of "disagreements".

http://conservababes.com/bashag.html

[Doctor Stochastic]

However, I must confess that the big power blackout may have been my fault. I had a double precision overflow in the matrix inverter; this caused a vector interrupt which may have escaped out the power line. I don't know if it dissipated in NY or not. (This comment might work on "Men in Black" or "The X-Files" anyway.)

[Alamo-Girl]

LOLOLOL! You really have to watch those vector interrupts!

[Doctor Stochastic]

At least France still has power.

[Alamo-Girl]

Indeed. And hopefully they'll be installing air conditioners in more buildings. What a horrible disaster they've had!

[Doctor Stochastic]

The normal Paris temperature in August is about 60-70. (Sometimes in July it gets to the upper 90s for a day.) They've had around 104-105 for some time. It reminds me of the big heat wave in Chicago in 1995 with 500 dead there.

I attended a meeting in Las Vegas in 1994 when the temps reached 117 (naturally a record for the day.) Las Vegas is really well airconditioned. Several of us went to a restaurant near the University and this involved crossing an 8 lane street. The Indian (Asian) women with us remarked that "Las Vegas is much hotter than the deserts in India." It's supposed to be a "dry heat" but then so's an oven.

[Alamo-Girl]

Jeepers! I wonder if it true that more people die from cold in the normally hot areas and vice versa - IOW, that the people wouldn't dress properly or behave safely under the bizarre weather conditions (for them.)

[Nataku X]

To formalize the terms that I will accept the punishment, so you know that my intent is sincere (rather than hanging on some arbitrary definition of what "some" means)...

The only thing I ask is a "trial by jury" of sorts, with the jury compromised entirely of those who identify themselves with creationists. You ping in as many or as few people as you want.

Pending the majority decision, or plurality decision should some decide to not to participate, I will abide by the punitive measure of whatever you decide.

[Aric2000]

And a "that's too fricking hot for me" Placemarker

[ALS]

hell is hotter

[Dataman]

I've had you off of virtual ignore in honor of our both signing the agreement, but if you don't apologize to A-G and start behaving halfway reasonably, you're back in Never-Never Land.

BTW, have you ever stopped to consider what an entirely useless, toothless and silly threat that is? Don't take yourself too seriously.

[Dataman]

hell is hotter

Great minds....

[f.Christian]

Virtual shrink wrap would be wonderful - happiness !

[Dataman]

Virtual shrink wrap would be wonderful

Virtual vanish?

[f.Christian]

Their minds - consciousness (( rem )) is gone but they keep thrashing ... want to control everyone's children - thinking --- freedom !

[js1138]

Phoebe lives placemarker