Evolution Debate creates monster [Flying Spaghetti monster, to be exact]

Lawrence Journal-World ^ | August 24, 2005 | Scott Rothschild

[wideawake]

you don't get to introduce a term that makes your claim true by definition

Since the whole point of the experiment is to demonstrate that the complexity is in fact reducible, there is no need to try again.

[Dark Knight]

Puleese!

The big enders and little enders fought over eggs. Though I don't agree with their view, I do recognize the importance of the Egg, and their struggle. We're talking about Gnocchics...flour and potatoes. It is strictly a substitute religion. Sure it can taste good for a while, but that's the evil of it. It takes good people away from real noodles.

And it's French.

DK

[stormer]

I know of what I speak. In fact, I'm leaving this evening in order to travel to the land of the Yam-people so I may bring them the truth. With hard work and prayer, they too may be touched by His Noodly Appendage.

[steve-b]

Since the whole point of the experiment is to demonstrate that the complexity is in fact reducible

That can be shown by simply describing simpler subelements, without the need for any experiment.

[wideawake]

The theory of evolution already falsified your conjecture, before it was announced.

Hardly. Evolution has not been replicated in an experimental setting either before or after ID.

Who then?

Some intelligence which, while unable to create matter ex nihilo, is able to manipulate it subtly enough to create living things.

Like the Demiurge of the Gnostics, for example. Or the Satan of the Albigensian Cathars.

[steve-b]

Evolution has not been replicated in an experimental setting

Sorry. Too many experiments on drug-resistance in microorganisms, etc, give the lie to that sound bite.

[stormer]

Point taken. However, if you view the Gnocchics as a ring species I think you will see that we all have a great deal in common. Of course, given more time, they could diverge to a point where they may be unrecognizable as people of the true faith, but that seems to be an unstoppable pattern. Now after they die and only true believers are allowed to pass through the great strainer in the sky, they will most certainly rue their poor choices.

[Dark Knight]

Our emmisary has already been there, along with many other pastafarians. An upstart from a food fight could hardly compete with Magi bearing sugar, butter and the most precious tiny marshmallows.

And we competed successfully with Popeye. Olive Oyl helped as she was an extra virgin convert to Rotini.

DK

[Junior]

If their sole remaining strategy is to make bad jokes in lieu of good arguments...

Sounds like the ID folks.

[Dark Knight]

Some say that nonbelievers can convert in the after life. The great collander strains true.

DK

[wideawake]

Too many experiments on drug-resistance in microorganisms, etc, give the lie to that sound bite.

Really? How many of these microorganisms became different species in response to drugs?

[stormer]

"Like the Demiurge of the Gnostics, for example. Or the Satan of the Albigensian Cathars."


Whatever. I promise not to be a philosopher if you promise not to be a scientist.

[wideawake]

Sounds like the ID folks.

What, another snarky comment devoid of rational argument?

Keep proving my point.

[Dark Knight]

What is the definition of species for germs?

DK

[Junior]

They are "gaps" in the theory.

Really? Most problems with evolution evaporate when one actually knows the evidence available.

[Junior]

ID is a theory.

Not it isn't. How would it be falsified? What tests could you run on it? What predictions does it make?

[Junior]

Shouldn't that guy be a midget?

[stormer]

Well, I think we both know that the remittance of indulgences by the family members of the departed has been shown to be little more than a fraud perpetrated by greedy charlatans. Some may find comfort in this practice, but it is not the True Way.

[wideawake]

Whatever. I promise not to be a philosopher if you promise not to be a scientist.

You miss the point.

The insinuation is that the designer which ID postulates is simply identical with the personal God of the ancient Hebrews described in Genesis.

That is simply not so.

The Elohim of Genesis could fit the bill, but another entity which does not share all his attributes (like omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, etc.) could also fit the bill.

ID postulates an intelligence or intelligences - not a specific one.

[wideawake]

I'd love to know. It seems to change whenever an evolution critic tries to nail it down.