Why do people think that when something is called extinct, and then they find out they are not actually 100% completely extinct, that somehow does damage to ToE?
"Well, it would if it were a prediction of the theory...not that I'm saying that it is mind you."
The theory predicts many things, including that extant species will have some common ancestor in the past. It does not, nor should it predict that there is a time limit on the lifetime of any species. If you believe that evolution in any way states that a species 'must' evolve into a different species then you are mistaken. Not even Darwin believed that.
The reason we believe populations to be extinct is because there is no evidence they exist today and their fossil record terminates 'relatively' abruptly.
"I have noticed though, that many of the articles posted here on this forum, concerning evolution, use the term "expectations."
Predictions in science are specific statements. Expectations are the logical consequences of the evolutionary thought process.
I agree
It does not, nor should it predict that there is a time limit on the lifetime of any species.
I agree that it currently does not, in principle, predict such a limit, however, I think it is premature to predict on your part, what a theory will or will not predict in the future as it acquires new information, or data. That's just my opinion mind you.
If you believe that evolution in any way states that a species 'must' evolve into a different species then you are mistaken. Not even Darwin believed that.
I don't harbor this belief.
The reason we believe populations to be extinct is because there is no evidence they exist today and their fossil record terminates 'relatively' abruptly.
Which is why I brought it up, since it was conceivable that such a prediction could have been made on the basis of the fossil record, and if it was, then would indeed have been damaging, at some level to the theory. I defer to your expertise though, and we can agree that such is not the case.
Predictions in science are specific statements.
I couldn't agree more...general as it is.
Expectations are the logical consequences of the evolutionary thought process.
I'm not quite sure how to interpret this, nevertheless, do you think that incorrect expectations regarding the dynamics of matter in the hard sciences, such as physics and chemistry, have a negative impact on a given, or related, theory.