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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The clergy successfully preached the doctrines of patience and pusillanimity; the active virtues of society were discouraged; and the last remains of a military spirit were buried in the cloister: a large portion of public and private wealth was consecrated to the specious demands of charity and devotion; and the soldiers' pay was lavished on the useless multitudes of both sexes who could only plead the merits of abstinence and chastity.
[Edward Gibbons, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]
The Cambrian as an evolutionary exemplar
Symmetry breaking and genetic assimilation
Acoelomorph flatworms and precambrian evolution
Generating right-left asymmetries
Development, medicine, and evolution of the neck and shoulder
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Category: Communicating science
Posted on: October 5, 2008 12:15 PM, by PZ Myers
I saw their line of educational toys at AAI — if you've got young kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews, check out the growing line of evolution games and toys at Charlie's Playhouse.
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Comments
Posted by: Anon | October 5, 2008 12:29 PM
I remember I had dinosaur (and other ancient animal and plant) trading cards as a kid some 40+ years ago (my mother taught science); they were among my favorites! We also had evolution and periodic table board games!
Yes, I am a science geek.
Posted by: Karley | October 5, 2008 12:50 PM
Those are all adoricute. Reminds me of my love for educational dinosaur books and toys when I was a kid. Anyone else here remember Prehistoric Zoobooks?
Posted by: D Christensen | October 5, 2008 1:03 PM
Wish I had something like this when I was a kid. Actually, I just may buy the Giant Timeline Poster for myself just for the fun of it.
Posted by: Doubting Foo | October 5, 2008 1:18 PM
Hmm...I just might buy the poster and donate it to my son's class.
I like the "product of natural selection" and "98% chimp" shirts, but the "meet your ancestor" creature looks like a strange sex toy.
Posted by: Aphrodine | October 5, 2008 1:31 PM
@Karley:
Hell yes I remember Prehistoric Zoobooks. I just found the Prehistoric Zoobooks Family Activity Guide while cleaning out my closets the other day.
The Giant Timeline from Charlie's Playhouse looks like something I would have loved to have in a classroom when I was in elementary school.
Posted by: Aphrodine | October 5, 2008 1:33 PM
Doubting Foo, haven't you ever heard of the concept of "sex sells?" ~_^ If anything I want to buy that shirt *even more.*
Posted by: eric williams | October 5, 2008 2:52 PM
Rebirth
Autumn is coming. I can feel it.
The cool nights when I pull my bedsheet up to my chin and dream about spring.
Rebirth. The great cycle of life.
Life is renewed, but living things are not.
Living things, like all other machines
Wear out and die...
Like me.
What am I to make of this? The finite within the infinite.
From which pool do I drink?
Should I celebrate my immortality or grieve my mortality?
I despise not knowing.
Soon, it will be winter.
We will retreat inobtrusively into our cloistered sanctuaries
carrying with us the divine spark, nurturing the finespun flame
Until it is called forth again by the pleasant and friendly power of rebirth.
Spring!
For some, the vital principle will be lost forever
and they will lie still in the warm earth, their mortal remains
dissolving and their sempiternal essence dissipated back to the
Everlasting Universe.
In others, the divine spark will emerge anew,
to burn as brightly and defiantly as before.
Posted by: Karley | October 5, 2008 4:11 PM
#6- I'm now imaging a Hallucigenia dildo. And I'm wincing in pain.
Posted by: Hank Fox | October 5, 2008 4:34 PM
I liked the T-shirt that said "98% Chimpanzee" and it got me to thinking ...
If humans are 98% chimp, does that also mean chimps are 98% human?
If not, what's the number?
Posted by: Hank Fox | October 5, 2008 4:38 PM
#8 - Karley, you do have to target these things for their best use.
For Hallucigenia, you wouldn't make dildos. You'd market a line of brushes for removing lichen from brick walls.
Posted by: funda62 | October 5, 2008 7:16 PM
As an atheist homeschooling mother I have found it difficult to find good quality accurate time-lines. Thank you so much for the site recommendation!
Posted by: Sophiasaurus | October 5, 2008 7:20 PM
Oh my goodness, these toys are so adorable. Makes me wish I had kids
Posted by: Lana | October 6, 2008 9:21 AM
Thanks for recommending this site in time to order for Christmas shopping! I hate shopping and I have six grandchildren.
Posted by: EDZook | October 6, 2008 11:00 AM
Love it! I think I like the Pikaia shirt best.