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Life's Irreducible Structure (DEBATE THREAD)
CMI ^ | Alex Williams

Posted on 01/12/2009 7:23:26 AM PST by GodGunsGuts

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To: CottShop
I have fuill confidence the goalposts aren’t going anywhere JS-

Quite frankly I never expected realistically to see any research that could settle the question in my lifetime.

But today I am wondering. What if, within the next 20 years we find life on Mars that has a completely different genetic code.

Any thoughts?

801 posted on 01/15/2009 5:20:13 PM PST by js1138
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To: js1138

Are you serious/ He thinks clay crystals were hte first primitive ‘life replicators’? He seems to be arguing that soemthign just barely able ot keep itself alive, somethign so simple that it just barely ‘squeeked by’, hung aroudn self replicating until info just somehow arose?

cairns Argues that life could not have happened in soem primordial soup, but hten goes on to state it arose in clay crystals, and we’re to conclude that Cairns gave a serious hypothesis abotu hte rise of metainfo?

“”Cairns-Smith, long before the argument became popular, emphasized how
improbable it is that a molecule as high tech as RNA could have appeared de
novo on the primitive Earth. He proposed that the first form of life was a
self-replicating clay. He suggested that the synthesis of organic molecules
became part of the competitive strategy of the clay world and that the
inorganic genome was taken over by one of its organic creations.
Cairns-Smith postulate of an inorganic life form has failed to gather any
experimental support. The idea lives on in the limbo of uninvestigated
hypotheses.” (Leslie E. Orgel, The Origin of Life - A Review of Facts and
Speculations, Trends in Biochemical Sciences, vol 23, No 12, December 1998)”

Again though, it seems that you think that this paper we’re discussing mustn’t be important ‘because people might have thought about it earlier in some form or anther’? How would that fact undermine the importance of what’s being discussed in this thread and paper? Why would you even bring something liek that up? Does it refute the idea that hwat is discussed i nthis paper might be a big deal for Macroevolution? Not sure why you brought this up?


802 posted on 01/15/2009 5:32:15 PM PST by CottShop
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To: CottShop
Not sure why you brought this up?

Not my problem.

803 posted on 01/15/2009 5:36:52 PM PST by js1138
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To: Fichori; Jim Robinson
“I am troubled by the influx of Cretoids and IDiacs to this website, its infrastructure, and elsewhere within the bounds of Conservatism over the last few years. More importantly, I am also troubled by the influx of their delusional Anti-Science, Anti-Enlightement, and Anti-Western Civilization ideas into Conservatism. Just because their own Faith is pitifully weak enough to cause such loathing does not give them the right to spread their weakness and destroy Conservatism because they refuse to accept a Fact.”

If you are worried about FR becoming flooded with Creationists, you need to think again! Perhaps you would like to read what FR's founder Jim Robinson had to say on Creation/Evolution.

So.

Ben Stein is likewise a Creationist and produced a movie proclaiming so for erroneous reasons which have been disproven time after time, here and elsewhere. Moreover, he drew erroneous conclusions (which I've illustrated in previous posts in this forum). However, producing a movie or owning a website doesn't make either of them right. Once again personally, I find it incomprehensible that both their Faiths are so weak as to be so disturbed by a Fact.

Nonetheless globally, to take Conservatism down this path marginalizes it (and them) at best. I'm trying to save them from themselves.

If you don't think FR is the place for Creationists, perhaps you should find some other forum.

Wait a minute! I thought you just said this was Jim Robinson's website or do you pretend to speak for him?

Kinda pretentious dontchathink.

804 posted on 01/15/2009 5:42:57 PM PST by DoctorMichael (Creationists on the internet: The Ignorant, amplifying the Stupid.)
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To: js1138

[[Not my problem.]]

Not your problem? you’re the oen that brought it up in the first place- What are you tryign to infer? That this paper is worthless becasuse someone made a bunch of assumptions about clay in the past & assumptions abotu how info ‘could have’ arisen? The fact is, Cairns didn’t as far as I know, concider the necessary 5 points of life- he just made assumptions about one level- suggesting thta it coudl transfer to hte next- The paper we’re discussing takes it to the IC 5 points of life

The hypothesis:

[[”Cycles of wetting and drying produced by the ocean tides cause stress in the clay that translated into energy. These cycles can link molecules of amino acids together by transferring energy .... The ions in clay act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions ... when in the presence of clays some organic molecules can also perform functions like enzymes”7]]

http://www.studytoanswer.net/origins/abiogenesis.html

Swell- whatever, but how does that even remotely explain anythign liek the paper we’re discussing? Nor does his book I think cover the chemical purity discussed- correct me if I’m wrong

“While the clay particles do have an organisation from their crystal structures, this organisation is very simple. Meanwhile, even the simplest life form, and the biochemical molecules which enable this life to be life, are far more complex. Even the most basic of biochemical species which would be needed to lead up to the chemical evolution of life are far too complex to have been directed by a simple crystalline structure.”

Does Cairns address this in his book?


805 posted on 01/15/2009 5:49:04 PM PST by CottShop
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To: js1138

[[But today I am wondering. What if, within the next 20 years we find life on Mars that has a completely different genetic code.

Any thoughts?]]

wouldn’t be a problem at all-


806 posted on 01/15/2009 5:50:07 PM PST by CottShop
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To: CottShop
The fact is, Cairns didn’t as far as I know, concider the necessary 5 points of life

That would be because he is more concerned with facts on the ground than with mental masturbation.

There's lots of productive research along these lines. Chemists aren't much interested in counting the reasons something can't be done.

807 posted on 01/15/2009 5:53:53 PM PST by js1138
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To: DoctorMichael

Yeah, and my faith in conservatism is so weak I ban every liberal DU poster that signs up.

Oh, wait a minute. It’s not because of any lack of faith in conservatism, we zot DU posters simply because we don’t want our pages filled with repugnant leftist propaganda from obnoxious liberal trolls.


808 posted on 01/15/2009 5:58:13 PM PST by Jim Robinson
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To: Jim Robinson

Somehow I expected more from you.


809 posted on 01/15/2009 6:16:20 PM PST by DoctorMichael (Creationists on the internet: The Ignorant, amplifying the Stupid.)
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To: metmom
Both sides are just guessing.

I would say one side is trying to come up with coherent explanations that fit together and take all known facts into account. I'll take your word for what your side is doing.

810 posted on 01/15/2009 6:18:12 PM PST by Ha Ha Thats Very Logical
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To: DoctorMichael

Likewise, I’m sure.

What’d you expect from a bitter redneck clinging to his religion and guns?


811 posted on 01/15/2009 6:25:46 PM PST by Jim Robinson
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To: Jim Robinson

You don’t have to cling.


812 posted on 01/15/2009 6:41:14 PM PST by DoctorMichael (Creationists on the internet: The Ignorant, amplifying the Stupid.)
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To: DoctorMichael
"Nonetheless globally, to take Conservatism down this path marginalizes it (and them) at best. I'm trying to save them from themselves."

A savior's labors are seldom appreciated in his lifetime.

813 posted on 01/15/2009 7:04:14 PM PST by YHAOS
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To: js1138

[[That would be because he is more concerned with facts on the ground]]

Correction- He’s more concerned with throwing God otu of the equation by inferring Nature-did-it than he is about looking at hte actual scientific facts that refute what he hypothesises

[[There’s lots of productive research along these lines.]]

Really? And they are comign up with? Nothing but assumptions that violate laws.

[[Chemists aren’t much interested in counting the reasons something can’t be done.]]

Apparently- too bad- objective science demands these be taken into concideration- infact ceded to when it becoems clear that it can’t be done.


814 posted on 01/15/2009 7:16:35 PM PST by CottShop
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To: Jim Robinson; CottShop
What’d you expect from a bitter redneck clinging to his religion and guns?

Jim, your site is becoming a haven for an increasingly vociferous band of anti-science kooks. To the extent that your site is a voice of conservatism, this casts all of conservatism, and the Republican party, in an extremely bad light.

There was a time when scientists were proud to be members here. Many have been banned, and even more have left in disgust at the treatment accorded them. The moderation is extremely one-sided now; what will get a pro-science poster banned is lauded when posted by the anti-science crowd. It is common to see the anti-science crowd harass a pro-science poster until he breaks and utters an obscenity--then he is banned for life.

"Religion and guns" is not the issue, as most scientists are religious, and many are pro-gun.

The issue is a narrow fundamentalist brand of religion that is trying to become the face of the conservative movement. This site is increasingly influenced by this narrow movement such that scientists and a lot of conservatives are leaving in droves. I'm amazed that I have survived here this long--and I worked for Reagan in 1966, when most other posters here weren't even born!

Yet because I spent six years in graduate school studying evolution and related subjects, and post pro-science comments, I am labeled an "evo-cultist," and "evo-Nazi," and worse, and compared to Hitler and Stalin and communists--with the apparent approval of the moderators.

Jim, your site is headed for true kookdom, headed for the fringe. When folks like Cottshop become the face of science on your site, and folks like Radio Astronomer, a genuine conservative scientist, are banned, you have irreparably left the mainstream. I don't think that's a good way to win elections.

815 posted on 01/15/2009 7:18:04 PM PST by Coyoteman (Religious belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge.)
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To: Coyoteman

Whatever.


816 posted on 01/15/2009 7:19:46 PM PST by Jim Robinson
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To: Coyoteman
"As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc. We also oppose the United Nations or any other world government body that may attempt to impose its will or rule over our sovereign nation and sovereign people. We believe in defending our borders, our constitution and our national sovereignty."

From a statement I posted a long time ago on our front page. I agree this site is probably too kooky for a whole lot of people, but we're not changing it. If you can't handle traditional American pro-Life, pro-God, pro-Liberty conservatism, you can always remove our bookmark from your list.

817 posted on 01/15/2009 7:26:33 PM PST by Jim Robinson
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To: Coyoteman

[[The moderation is extremely one-sided now; what will get a pro-science poster banned is lauded when posted by the anti-science crowd. It is common to see the anti-science crowd harass a pro-science poster until he breaks and utters an obscenity—then he is banned for life.]]

You know Coyoteman- this is a load of crap- There are MANY peopel that beleive in TOE here- and they get along just fine because they don’t engage in the childish rhettotic liek you just posted- You sir are cosntantly deriding Creationists and ID folks as being ‘antiscience’ DESPITE the fact that we’ve been presentign the SCIENCE that refutes the silyl claims you keep making- and apparently, that doesn’t sit well with you or others of your ilk who ‘left in disgust’- well too bad- You sir are one of hte worst here- yet one of hte first to jump up and down screaming about being ‘picked on’

IF you’d simply present your opinions WITHOUT CONSTATLY Belittling others, without CONSTANTLY deriding them, and putting htem down- You’d be taken much more seriously, and you’d be able to engage in civil discussions JUST LIKE ALL the other TOE supporters enjoy here!

Go cry me a river- Cripes!

[[Yet because I spent six years in graduate school studying evolution and related subjects, and post pro-science comments, I am labeled an “evo-cultist,” and “evo-Nazi,” and worse, and compared to Hitler and Stalin and communists—with the apparent approval of the moderators.]]

NO SIR! You are derided by others because you are snide, rude, and uncivil toweard them first! Anyoen with half an iota of common sense can go through your posts and discover exactly what I am talking about and see for themselves! Don’t you accuse others of what you yourself are guilty of first sir!

If other scientists want to ‘leave in disgust’ then it is simpyl because they can’t handle havign hteir scientific claism exposed to hte public, and it’s because they don’t like claiming somethign and hten gettign challenged on it! Plain nd simple!

[[When folks like Cottshop become the face of science on your site,]]

Gee- thanks- but htere are people far more deserving of that title than myself- I only call the facts liek I see them- and apparnetly that doesn’t sit well with you


818 posted on 01/15/2009 7:40:33 PM PST by CottShop
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To: Coyoteman

We’ve had a VERY civil discussion here for nearly 1000 posts now, UNTIL you and Dr.Mike showed up with your petty claims, false accusations, and irrelevent spam tryuing to derail this htread- and you are hte one crying about not being treatedright? The fact is you’re upset abotu not beign able to post TOE propoganda wihtout havign to face challenges to it, and when challenged, you break into your usual antiChristian crap routine time and itme again- and when htat doesn’t work, you appeal to hte owner with yet more false claims and petty false insults about Christian science?

My hearts bleeds for you.


819 posted on 01/15/2009 7:45:10 PM PST by CottShop
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To: js1138; CottShop
But today I am wondering. What if, within the next 20 years we find life on Mars that has a completely different genetic code.

If the genetic code is widely different, it'll be considered evidence that a Creator didn't do it cause life adapted to fit the different environment.

If it's not wildly different, then it'll be considered more supporting evidence that the common aspects of life can easily arise in other environments.

It'll be *Heads I win, tails you lose*.

820 posted on 01/15/2009 7:48:44 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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