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"A statement of fact cannot be insolent." The miscellaneous ramblings of a surgeon/scientist on medicine,
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Orac is the nom de blog of a (not so) humble pseudonymous surgeon/scientist with an ego just big enough to delude himself that someone, somewhere might actually give a rodent's posterior about his miscellaneous verbal meanderings, but just barely small enough to admit to himself that few will. (Continued here, along with a DISCLAIMER that you should read before reading any medical discussions here.)
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Category: Biology • Evolution • Humor • Medicine • Science
Posted on: August 18, 2007 2:04 PM, by Orac
For those of you who missed it, Steve Colbert explains what DNA is with Twisty the DNA Helix:
DNA: It's what makes you you.
I do have to admit, though, that it irritated me when Colbert referred to DNA as a "wonder protein" even though I'm sure it was part of the joke...
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Comments
Indeed, as far as I know it is an acid, but the part with Zeus was great. But I want that the theory that anyone of us has been created by The Flying Spaghetti Monster (Blessed be His Noody Things Whose Holy Name I have forgotten) is taught in school, so that the children can make up their mind and choose the Truth. Or what His Noodleness says to be the truth.
Posted by: Vjatcheslav | August 18, 2007 3:01 PM
Oh man, that annoyed me too. I heard him say "protein" and immediately winced. I also would have liked someone to say Deoxyribonucleic Acid at some point, rather than just "DNA stands for DNA." It was still funny nonetheless.
Posted by: Stuart Coleman | August 18, 2007 3:47 PM
I think the 'protein' was deliberate humor. Colbert's parodies of rightwing crazies are better done, and far more insightful, than the rants and raves of those he ridicules.
Remember that 'D.N.A.' is an abbreviation which stands for 'D. N. A.', and that it was discovered in the 1950s? I thought that were great mockeries of witless comments, just like calling DNA a protein.
Remember, the right never does fact checking, so we can expect their work to be rife with factual errors, including many a seventh grade class could correct as a one-hour project.
Posted by: Rose Colored Glasses | August 18, 2007 5:42 PM
I'm pretty sure it was deliberate humour. Especially when you take the rest of it in consideration. Add to the fact that he obviously understands other issues in biology (As evidenced by his biting, rhetorical questions for his more irrational guests, or subtly-ironic agreement with the likes of Behe), and I think it's fair to say the 'DNA - Wonder Protein!' was deliberate.
Posted by: Colson | August 18, 2007 6:39 PM
Personally, I believe that DNA is just a fascist plot. The whole letting criminals out of jail thing, that does it for me. We need to fight, fight a desperate battle, against this "wonder" protein - err, acid. Acid from hell, is more like it. Scientifascist invention, to undermine our great Nordic Godly nation, that's all it is. . .
Posted by: DuWayne | August 18, 2007 7:46 PM
DuWayne has just started the next denialist movement.
Posted by: Tyler DiPietro | August 19, 2007 2:17 AM
DuWayne-- I think you must have meant 'desperete.' Or maybe 'desparet' or 'desprit.' Check with Jason Renne about this. There seems to be Intelligent Design evidence that misspelling words ending in 'ate' is An Expression of God's Will.
Posted by: hoary puccoon | August 19, 2007 7:10 AM
Yeah, how could we have acid in our bodies without, you know, dissolving or burning up? Must have required some specialized carpentry ....
Colbert is a genius. I'm sure there was excellent-quality Formula 401 involved in his ancestry!
Posted by: Julie Stahlhut | August 19, 2007 12:57 PM
Tyler -
Is that like starting a new religion?
But seriously, mock me all you want. In the end, or sooner than you might think, Thor's gonna thump you scientifascists down with his mighty hammer!!!
Posted by: DuWayne | August 19, 2007 4:30 PM