Kevin Padian explains macroevolution : Pharyngula

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Kevin Padian explains macroevolution

Category: Evolution
Posted on: May 3, 2007 9:21 PM, by PZ Myers

The gang at the NCSE have put together Padian's testimony at the Dover trial with the slides he used. You may have already read the transcript, but with the figures added it acquires a whole new dimension — it's basically a wonderfully done primer in the basics of macroevolutionary biology. Next time some creationist tries to simper at you that he accepts microevolution, but that there's no evidence for macroevolution and he refuses to believe it, point him at this page. It's aimed not at scientists, but at the judges and lawyers at a trial, so it's eminently comprehensible to any intelligent layman … and it crushes the bogus rejection of macroevolution that they are so fond of using.

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Comments

Posted by: Caledonian | May 3, 2007 9:38 PM

It's pretty obvious. Any judge who actually thinks about the arguments presented before them would instantly see though the "no macroevolution" argument.

Posted by: Callandor | May 3, 2007 9:44 PM

Related to the above post, but still unrelated sadly. I watched the Republican debate tonight, and they asked the one important question to all the candidates: Do you believe in evolution? McCain said yes and explained a bit about feeling the hand of god when he looks at a sunset or some crap. Then everyone who did NOT agree with evolution raised their hands.

Three candidates did.

One for sure was Tancredo; the other two I think were Brownback and Huckabee but I don't know for sure.

And directly to this post, the slide show is awesome. Terrific resource to use for laypeople (like myself, sadly).

Posted by: Dustin | May 3, 2007 10:29 PM

It's pretty obvious. Any judge who actually thinks about the arguments presented before them would instantly see though the "no macroevolution" argument.

Gee! You're right! I don't even know why they bothered with that slide-show!

Man, what the hell was that? Is that the way guys who jack off to Webster's say: "ZOMGQ! FIRST POST!!1!"?

Posted by: Caledonian | May 3, 2007 10:35 PM

The issue isn't whether the candidates 'believe' in evolution, but whether they'll permit 'alternatives' like Intelligent Design to be taught as well.

Science isn't religion - acceptance of doctrine just isn't a concept that applies.

Posted by: David Utidjian | May 4, 2007 12:48 AM

Wow...
A long read (far from done yet) but worth ever bit. Excellent discussion of HOW science is done as it relates to Paleontology... (which is as far as I have gotten).

-DU-...etc...

Posted by: Hans | May 4, 2007 1:20 AM

It's funny to see this after re-hearing Ken Hovind's performances on the InfidelGuy show (go ahead and pledge at www.infidelguy.com). Every time he gets argued into a corner, he likes to exclaim that "this argument would get you laughed out of a court of law!" In reality, it's his side's arguments that get laughed out of court.

Posted by: MartinC | May 4, 2007 3:53 AM

Nice presentation.
That would make a great Youtube clip - apparently the best way to 'frame' science for public consumption these days.

Posted by: James McGrath | May 4, 2007 10:15 AM

Thanks for sharing this. It was wonderful the other day to see someone on another forum offer a challenge 'Show me even one example where mutations have led to genuinely new characteristics and/or increases of information', and be responded to very quickly with numerous good examples of precisely the phenomena this person was trying to deny. Although obviously the internet also serves the ID and young-earth creationist camps by providing a means of spreading their ideas, scientific information also is getting out there. Keep up the good work!

http://blue.butler.edu/~jfmcgrat/blog/

Posted by: Lucy | May 4, 2007 11:51 AM

I am bowled over. A great read and a brilliant example of clear and illuminating testimony. Makes me proud to be a scientist (of sorts).

#10

Posted by: Jason | May 4, 2007 1:36 PM

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:2XcvIgzmk3YJ:www2.ncseweb.org/kvd/exhibits/Padian/Padian_transcript.html+http://www2.ncseweb.org/kvd/exhibits/Padian/Padian_transcript.html&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ca

Google Cache link since the page looks to be down.

#11

Posted by: Carrie | May 4, 2007 3:13 PM

The page should be back up. Sorry for any inconvenience.

#12

Posted by: Rose | May 6, 2007 7:33 AM