Bill Nye’s Debate Nightmare

Daily Beast/Yahoo News ^ | February 5, 2014 | Michael Schulson

[celmak]

On many mornings, I wake up and think, “You know what this country needs? More culture war.” As I scramble up a couple eggs, I find myself wishing—fervently wishing—that we could spend more time reducing substantive issues to mere spectacle. Later, as I scrub the pan, I’ll fantasize about how those very spectacles might even funnel money toward some of the country’s most politicized religious groups.

Fortunately, Bill “the Science Guy” Nye has heard my wish—which, really, is the wish of a nation. Why else would he have traveled to Kentucky this week in order to debate Ken Ham, the young-earth creationist founder of Answers in Genesis, about the origins of the world?

Actually, there are two other reasons that Nye might have done so, and I’ve given both possibilities a great deal of thought in the past few days. The first is that Nye, for all his bow-tied charm, is at heart a publicity-hungry cynic, eager to reestablish the national reputation he once had as the host of a PBS show. When his stint on Dancing With the Stars ended quickly, Nye turned to the only other channel that could launch him back to national attention: a sensationalized debate, replete with the media buzz that he craves.

Possibility number two is that Nye is clueless—that, for all his skill as a science communicator, Nye has less political acumen than your average wombat.

After watching the debate, I’m leaning toward that second possibility. Last night, it was easy to pick out the smarter man on the stage. Oddly, it was the same man who was arguing that the earth is 6,000 years old.

[FredZarguna]

Does the Bible give a detailed, self-consistent answer as to how the moon formed?

[GunRunner]

Evolution does not make any claims, nor does it study the origin of life (how life began).

You need to have a proper understanding of what evolution is before you criticize it, and you clearly do not.

[FredZarguna]

They never had to abandon it, because evolution isn’t a theory of abiogenesis.

[GunRunner]

So just to be clear, all Christians believe in a 6,000 year old Earth, and those that do not believe in a 6,000 year old Earth do not believe in the Bible, and are therefore not Christians. Correct?

[BrandtMichaels]

Well then I dare you to read this:

Center for Scientific Creation - In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood
http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/IntheBeginningTOC.html

Or since your time is probably so valuable maybe listen here to Pastor Kevin Lea describe the hydroplate theory posited by Dr. Walt Brown in 1980 or thereabouts. Pastor Lea has a background in nuclear physics just in case you were thinking well he’s just pastor...

Videos Fountains of the Deep, Flood of Noah by Pastor Kevin Lea of Port Orchard, OR
http://www.youtube.com/user/CalvaryChurchPO#p/c/11/XXQKSv5o_Po

[GunRunner]

Read closely again ~ peer-reviewed has become more like peer-pressured [you wanna keep your job and grant monies don’t ya?!].

So all geologists make their living off of grant money?

You're full of fairy tales, I'll give you that.

You're like a TV preacher and a 9/11 Truther rolled into one.

[FredZarguna]

Sorry not buying it after all the fraud I’ve seen perpetrated on the simple folk.

Coming from someone who believes in the literal truth of the Bible that's probably the most cluelessly ironic statement ever made.

How many tens of thousands simple folk have been tortured and burned alive by scientists?

[BrandtMichaels]

Does anything in science really disprove God? You should know darned well that before the singularity science is left with - gulp - nothing. Gods said He created - ex nihilo in the Hebrew - out of nothing! That’s all the Earth, the moon, the stars, the heavens and everything form of life.

[GunRunner]

And in what geology journals has Pastor Lea published his work, what field of geology is he accredited, and where did he receive his geology degree?

[Hegewisch Dupa]

I wonder how many of these self-proclaimed Biblical literalists claim the Bible bans alcohol too - gotta love the hypocrisy and/or naivete there

[BrandtMichaels]

At one time it did - the Miller-Ulery experiments kind of ended that discussion - but prior to that evolution claimed life came from non-life.

[kjam22]

Does the Bible give a detailed, self-consistent answer as to how the moon formed?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..... ? I think generally the christian belief is the term "he spoke it into existence"

[BrandtMichaels]

God said the heart is exceedingly wicked, but how exactly would anyone know if these were true christians? I think it starts with their actions but even that is not proof only the believer and God know the true conditions in ones’ heart.

You can continue to ask me questions or you can begin to read the links I’ve supplied b/c at least I know in my heart that I’ve studied and researched both sides of the creation evolution arguments. Have either of you?

[GunRunner]

I want to know what evidence you have of a global conspiracy between all geologists to lie to the world about the age of the Earth.

I want evidence that all geologists work off of grant money, and by extension are held hostage to toe the line or have their grant money pulled.

I want to know why there's not one geologist who is not associated with the creationist marketing collective who has ever come forward and shown the light on this conspiracy.

The suppositions you have to make to explain your opinions are outlandish, unlikely, not supported by any evidence, and silly.

[kjam22]

I used to work for an oil and gas producer. Actually I've worked for several over the years. They drill oil and gas wells. I always had a few questions that none really answered. I don't know the answer, and I don't spend a lot of time researching to find out. But you may know and I'd be glad to hear your thoughts.

1)We find oil and gas miles deep. Deposited by animals that have decayed as I understand it. Where did all the dirt and rock come from all over the earth that has covered them all up?

2) Have we ever observed any living organism die and decompose to oil or natural gas? Or really anything besides dirt or rock?

3) I understand the theory that there were rivers and lakes and these animals and fish died there and that's why when drilling miles deep we find "sand" with various perosity and oil and gas trapped in this sand. How did oil and gas get "trapped" in shale. In rock?

I suspect you'll have great answers for these questions. I've talked to geologists (many) who were very good at finding these natural resources. But I've not talked to any that could really answer those questions. Thanks much for your consideration.

[GunRunner]

Dunno; sounds like the abiotic theory of oil. Don’t know much about it.

[kjam22]

Thanks for your answer. I am one who has talked to many geologists. Some were christians, and some weren't. I mean I retired from Chesapeake Energy. These guys pioneered shale drilling. Talented geologists who could map miles deep and find oil and gas. But none could answer simple laymen questions.

Thanks again.

[GunRunner]

But none could answer simple laymen questions.

You mean none of them could tell you how sedimentary rock forms?

[kjam22]

I mean none that could answer the three questions you said you weren’t read up on.

[Fuzz]

“Science groupies”?

You thought Led Zepplin was bad, wait ‘til you see the undercover video of Lawrence Kraus after a lecture!