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Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
…and this is a pharyngula stage embryo.
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A very pious friend of mine, having heard that I had said the world was full of imperfections, asked me if the report was true. Upon being informed that it was, he expressed great surprise that any one could be guilty of such presumption. He said that, in his judgement, it was impossible to point out an imperfection "Be kind enough," said he, "to name even one improvement that you could make, if you had the power." "Well," said I, "I would make good health catching, instead of disease." The truth is, it is impossible to harmonize all the ills, and pains, and agonies of this world with the idea that we were created by, and are watched over and protected by an infinitely wise, powerful and beneficent God, who is superior to and independent of nature.
[Robert G. Ingersoll, "The Gods", 1872]
February 28, 2006
Category: Organisms
People are so cruel. I was busy all evening with this talk (which went well, I think), and lots of people flood my mailbox with news of the giant squid at the NHM. You know I can look out...
Posted by PZ Myers at 8:36 PM • 29 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Open Thread
While I am intensely distracted—I'm freaking out a little bit over this Cafe Scientifique presentation I have to do in a couple of hours, and since I'm also the organizer I've also got to set up all the AV gear...
Posted by PZ Myers at 2:52 PM • 38 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Genetics
Creationists sometimes try to argue that what we consider straightforward, well-demonstrated cytological and genetic events don't and can't occur: that you can't get chromosome rearrangements, or that variations in chromosome number and organization are obstacles to evolution, making discussions of...
Posted by PZ Myers at 1:16 PM • 35 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Politics
Followers of that hateful lunatic, Fred Phelps, have been making the news for picketing military funerals in Minnesota. Apparently, because the US tolerates (sorta) homosexuality, they feel that they should hit up random funerals and cuss out the dead...
Posted by PZ Myers at 8:37 AM • 38 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Creationism
The DI has long had this goal of getting their work published in mainstream science journals; unfortunately, they don't want to bother with that unpleasant business of trying to do real research. Give Up Blog has examples of their prodigious...
Posted by PZ Myers at 7:37 AM • 44 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Organisms
It's up: a taxonomically organized and prettily illustrated collection of posts about invertebrates. You know you must go read it....
Posted by PZ Myers at 7:10 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 27, 2006
Category: Skepticism
I've followed some of the doings of the Scientology cult, and it wasn't that long ago that criticizing the Religion That Elron Built would win you a lifetime supply of harrassment; they have long memories. Back in our naive youth,...
Posted by PZ Myers at 9:35 PM • 41 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Politics
We shouldn't be surprised when the Bush administration jiggers the scientific books: In short, Oregon State University scientists reported in Science magazine that some logging practices may contribute to forest fires, rather than curbing them as conventional wisdom leads us...
Posted by PZ Myers at 8:39 PM • 30 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Creationism
Unbelievable. Orac and Matt have found an amazing carnival: Darwin is Dead. It's short; you can read all 5 entries in about 5 minutes, and I promise, it won't kill more than a few thousand brain cells. My favorite entry...
Posted by PZ Myers at 5:41 PM • 79 Comments • 1 TrackBacks
Category: Media
This sounds fun: a music theatre production illustrating Darwin's theory of evolution. Based on Haydn's The Creation, Darwin's Dream imagines the founder of evolution meeting modern children and challenging them to explore how his theory has advanced since his death...
Posted by PZ Myers at 4:38 PM • 10 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
