Creationists win support of FedEx : Aetiology

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Tara C. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology. Her research involves a number of pathogens at the animal-human nexus. Additionally, she is the founder of Iowa Citizens for Science and also writes for The Panda's Thumb and previously for WIRED SCIENCE's Correlations. Please note the views expressed on this site are Dr. Smith's alone and may not be representative of the groups mentioned above.

"...a veritable expert on tawdry cosmetic procedures gone horribly awry..."--Kevin Beck

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Creationists win support of FedEx

Category: Humor
Posted on: February 6, 2006 12:30 PM, by Tara C. Smith

So, I watched the SuperBowl last night (mandatory, I think, 'cause Ben Roethlisberger's from my tiny little hometown) and saw this FedEx commercial, which has humans living amongst T. rexes and pterodactyls. Can't wait to see this posted on Answers in Genesis as more proof that people are increasingly being swayed to the "truth" of their message--and during the biggest television event of the year, no less! They're probably being showered with donations to their Creation museum even as I write.

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Comments

I was thinking along the same lines when I saw that commercial. I enjoyed it from an entertainment standpoint, but couldn't help thinking it would allow the erroneous notion of humans and dinosaurs coexisting to continue, thereby confusing those scientifically illiterate folks and furthering bolstering the IDists claims.

Posted by: ericnh | February 6, 2006 12:47 PM

But if the Intelligent Designer had humans living among pterodactyls and apatasaurs, then why didn't he/she/it also design FedEx at the same time?

Posted by: Dave Munger | February 6, 2006 12:55 PM

I was screaming at the TV, and my friends all got a good kick out of that. I never saw the commercial for that energy drink that was supposedly offensive to truckers aired, but somehow we had fedex get by with the bad cavemen and dinos? We should have been on top of it. I mean really, a sabertooth and a mammoth could have been just as effective. Sigh.

Posted by: megan | February 6, 2006 12:56 PM

I have to admit I winced at first, but it won me over by the end. I think, perhaps, that the misconception of people and dinosaurs cohabitating the earth was part of the joke, more an homage to Gary Larson than a wink to creationists. Wishful thinking, perhaps. Besides, we can't go worrying about what "they" are going to do with stuff like this too much. Use the misconception as an educational opportunity, then the humor works to the advantage of science. Just a thought.

Posted by: Brad Hoge | February 6, 2006 1:15 PM

You joke, but I saw AiG put out a dismissive PR note when the kids cartoon movie Ice Age came out.

I think most of their angst was spent on The Flintstones though.

Posted by: Dave S. | February 6, 2006 1:19 PM

But if the Intelligent Designer had humans living among pterodactyls and apatasaurs, then why didn't he/she/it also design FedEx at the same time?

Silly Dave. "Intelligent design" doesn't necessarily mean *optimal* design, as any IDist will tell you.

I think, perhaps, that the misconception of people and dinosaurs cohabitating the earth was part of the joke, more an homage to Gary Larson than a wink to creationists.

Oh, I think it's that as well. Hence the "humor" designation for the post rather than an actual serious category. I'll laugh my ass off if they do mention it, though.

Posted by: Tara | February 6, 2006 1:28 PM

Silly Dave. "Intelligent design" doesn't necessarily mean *optimal* design, as any IDist will tell you.

Well, that explains the U.S. Postal Service, then....

Posted by: Dave Munger | February 6, 2006 1:57 PM

May I point out that those in the commercial were not Homo sapiens, and that FedEX didn't exist, yet. Thus, there is the implication that FedEx is the result of intelligent designed by evolved humans ;)

Posted by: Gerardo Camilo | February 6, 2006 1:59 PM

Wouldn't creationists use G.O.D. instead of FedEx anyway? http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/paul_kane/pk_volvo_god_sml.jpg
Maybe since they're based in Newark, they aren't known elsewhere, but I saw them all the time growing up.

Posted by: archmeg | February 6, 2006 2:13 PM

Heh. Hadn't seen them before.

Posted by: Tara | February 6, 2006 2:25 PM

Come on, lighten up a bit. It was just a commercial, and a pretty funny one as well. If IDiots mention it as "evidence" that ID or creationism is becoming more accepted, it'll just make them look stupid.

Posted by: Orac | February 6, 2006 2:49 PM

Bothered me too. When I brought it up to the people I was watching the game with (many biologists, and all scientists), they told me to shut up.

Posted by: RPM | February 6, 2006 8:52 PM

"Wouldn't creationists use G.O.D. instead of FedEx anyway?"

They may do, but would they admit it in public?

Bob

Posted by: Bob O'H | February 7, 2006 1:20 AM