The Steve project has reached a landmark: 1000 scientists named Steve have signed a testimonial to evolution. Best of all, the latest Steve is also a Darwin!
Search
Profile
PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
…and this is a pharyngula stage embryo.
• a longer profile of yours truly
• my calendar
• Nature Network
• RichardDawkins Network
• facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Atheist Nexus
• the Pharyngula chat room
(#pharyngula on irc.synirc.net)
I reserve the right to publicly post, with full identifying information about the source, any email sent to me that contains threats of violence.
Random Quote
Imagine the Creator as a low comedian, and at once the world becomes explicable.
[H.L. Mencken]
Recent Posts
- Our illness is their profit
- Friday Cephalopod: NUMBERLESS HOSTS!
- Dear Jezebel
- There Will Be Blood?
- Zooming in on the Origin of Life Science Foundation
- Friday Cephalopod: Feasibility trial successful
- Making excuses
- More bad science in the literature
- An open letter to the Indiana legislature
- One Carnival of Evolution, coming right up
A Taste of Pharyngula
Recent Comments
- CherryBombSim on Our illness is their profit
- I'm sorry, thank you on Our illness is their profit
- https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawlg3ZrAn0yJktAa1txQLOB6bCND-AfW0pA on Our illness is their profit
- mandas on Our illness is their profit
- sue.welsh on Our illness is their profit
- Amphiox, OM on Our illness is their profit
- Amphiox, OM on Our illness is their profit
- symball on Our illness is their profit
- echidna on Our illness is their profit
- margaret on Our illness is their profit
Archives
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
Blogroll
Other Information
« Creation science fair report | Main | Convergence, schmonvergence »
More articles by PZ Myers can be found on Freethoughtblogs at the new Pharyngula!
We have achieved a kilosteve
Category: Creationism
Posted on: February 15, 2009 9:02 AM, by PZ Myers
TrackBacks
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://scienceblogs.com/mt/pings/99954
Leave a comment
HTML commands: <i>italic</i>, <b>bold</b>, <a href="url">link</a>, <blockquote>quote</blockquote>
Comments
Posted by: Daniel | February 15, 2009 9:08 AM
This is a great day for science and Steves alike.
Posted by: Virgil | February 15, 2009 9:09 AM
A kilosteve, eh? That should be a unit of measurement. Of how much information creationists don't know. Several kilosteves worth.
Posted by: psodf | February 15, 2009 9:28 AM
Will there be a similar petition of Uncle Daves? (With apologies to George Carlin.)
Posted by: mayhempix
|
February 15, 2009 9:35 AM
What about Steve's who aren't scientists?
Can I be an associate member?
Posted by: Zeno
|
February 15, 2009 9:37 AM
#1000 is actually a Darwin? I smell a fix. (Good thinking on their part, since the list of Steves is a publicity gimmick.)
Posted by: Nerd of Redhead, OM
|
February 15, 2009 9:37 AM
Very good news. A kilosteve is a good, round number. Very newsworthy.
Posted by: Bachalon | February 15, 2009 9:38 AM
You know he was just waiting for that list to tick over into 999 so he could sign it.
Posted by: Paguroidea | February 15, 2009 9:41 AM
Here's a link to FAQ about Project Steve for those interested-
http://ncseweb.org/taking-action/project-steve-faq
Posted by: Jennyxyzzy | February 15, 2009 9:59 AM
I notice that Steve #1000 comes from New Orleans. A fine counterweight to the more depressing news coming from Louisiana.
Posted by: Donnie B. | February 15, 2009 10:11 AM
Wouldn't a kilosteve actually be 1024 Steves?
Posted by: Hideki | February 15, 2009 10:19 AM
Hihi Donnie B. @ 10
Probably not, 1024 (2^10) is used in computing purely because computers count in binary, kilo in every other sense is 1000 (kg=1000g etc.)
Actually even in computing it's sometimes taken to mean 1000, primarily when hard disks are being sold, a 1TB drive as sold is 1,000,000,000,000 bytes and not the 1,099,511,627,776 bytes you might reasonably expect! so aye, you get cheated out of a hair under 10% on those, lol
Posted by: MikeG | February 15, 2009 10:20 AM
No, it's an SI unit, like kilograhams. If you mere measuring, say sailboat rigging, you would be right, 1 kilobight = 1024.
Posted by: Steve M | February 15, 2009 10:34 AM
This makes me proud to be a Steve.
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 10:40 AM
Hmmm. Steves don't know shit. An "anthony" should be the real unit of correct information. I'm up to 100% myself - and that's just a start.
Posted by: Zeno
|
February 15, 2009 10:41 AM
Not that I have anything against "anthony", but isn't "tony", well, tonier?
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 10:50 AM
A "Tony" is a debased Hollywood geegaw. It has no association whatsoever with clear, rathional thinking.
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | February 15, 2009 10:53 AM
MikeG for Molly.
Posted by: SteveN | February 15, 2009 11:06 AM
Yahoo! Great choice for the 1000th member of the list, too. I was one of the earlier 'Steves' and have had at least two versions of the T-shirt so far. Time to order a new one, I think.
Actually, the best part of being a 'Steve' is not the T-shirt but rather the paper published in the 'Annals of Improbable Research' titled "The Morphology of Steve". It's nice to be a co-author on a paper with two Nobel Prize Laureates and Stephen Hawking. Makes up for my total lack of 'Nature' or 'Science' papers. Or not.
SteveN
Posted by: Steve_C | February 15, 2009 11:07 AM
Woot. Steves reprazentin! I'm no scientist though.
Posted by: James F | February 15, 2009 11:27 AM
In the run-up to Darwin Day, the list actually surpassed 1000. This week Glenn Branch will update the final tally, which will put the list at a kilosteve plus a dozen or so.
Of course, every 7.5 Steves statistically laps the Dissent from Darwin list. Ha, ha!
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 11:34 AM
What's the unit of disingenuous misinformation - a "Ham"?
Posted by: Nerd of Redhead, OM
|
February 15, 2009 11:42 AM
"Hovnid" is right up there to. But "Ham" is easier to say.Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 11:48 AM
How many Hams in a Hovind? Or vice-versa? I suppose it'll be down to those French name-droppers at the SI institute. But it'll just turn into an 'Am or an 'Ovind and then where would we be? There's always a "Luskin" but he hasn't really carried out the stupid research to merit such an honour.
Posted by: Ol_Froth | February 15, 2009 11:48 AM
Bah, I tried clicking the link from work. Site is blocked, and here is the reason given by the filter:
Adult Material - Sites that are intended for sexual arousal of the viewer, or are grossly inappropriate such as images of body mutilation. These sites contain, exclusively reference, or discuss sexually explicit material, nudity, partial nudity, sell sex “toys”, encourage sexual encounters, or promote organizations that sell sex such as escort services.
Posted by: lytefoot | February 15, 2009 11:50 AM
Wow, I missed out on this story at the beginning. I'd been confusing it with the Eric conspiracy.
Posted by: Psychodigger | February 15, 2009 11:51 AM
Go Steves
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 11:54 AM
Ooooooooooh reality.....peer-reveiewed....scientific knowledge....ahhhhhhh!
This is a pogophilic site, and as such should be banned!
Posted by: Andrew | February 15, 2009 11:54 AM
No, that would be a kibisteve.
Posted by: Steve | February 15, 2009 12:03 PM
As one of the Steves on the list, let me just say... go us! :)
Posted by: Cruithne | February 15, 2009 12:20 PM
I'm really surprised that no one so far has mentioned stevolution.
Posted by: notedscholar | February 15, 2009 12:25 PM
I wonder what other names would come up with. Maybe they chose "Steve" because Steves happen to be in favor of Darwinism in irrationally unproportional numbers. Chances are at least one name in the world is like that - so perhaps it is Steve.
NS
http://sciencedefeated.wordpress.com/
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 12:30 PM
There's way too much Stevine self-congratulation on this thread.
All you had to do to get on this list was
1) Be named Steve
2) Have parents who encouraged you to study and become scientists.
The mere fact of years of learnin', passing exams, and making a living in the academic world (and "science" is hardly difficult to grasp, is it now?) is not enough to offset your earlier advantages.
You were born with a silver Steve spoon in your mouth - admit it.
Privilege, thy name is Steve.
Posted by: Teleprompter
|
February 15, 2009 1:07 PM
"noted""scholar",
Why do you call it Darwinism? Why do you want science to be a dogma?
Are you afraid of it? Afraid of its rational approach to problem-solving? Afraid of its changing to accomodate new evidence? Afraid of its possible displacement of some of your beliefs?
Yes, science is often defeated...by more science. And I celebrate.
Even a Newton, an Einstein, or yes, a Darwin, is often wrong about a few or many things.
Science celebrates when it is defeated...and improved by a better understanding of phenomena.
If religion could more accurately account for phenomena, science would celebrate the new discoveries. If science could more accurately account for something than religion, would you celebrate?
Or would you cringe in fear and start a smear campaign?
I think your actions have already revealed the answer.
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 1:12 PM
All you need to know about "noted scholar" is on his website.
Anti-"Darwinist" shite. Great arrogance and misapplied learning. Must be an anti-Steve. Site rating 500 Hams
Posted by: Nerd of Redhead, OM
|
February 15, 2009 1:16 PM
"Noted Scholar" is neither noted nor a scholar. He is a total failure.
Posted by: E.V. | February 15, 2009 1:32 PM
Wrong geographic area, wrong part of the industry.Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 1:50 PM
Sorry, I meant "Broadway" geegaw.
Posted by: Funnyguts | February 15, 2009 1:59 PM
Oh, to be a scientist named Steve...
Posted by: Levi in NY | February 15, 2009 2:03 PM
Our new Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, is on that list.
Posted by: Blake Stacey | February 15, 2009 2:27 PM
No, they chose "Steve" in honour of Stephen Jay Gould. Grow up.
Posted by: pazmusik | February 15, 2009 2:30 PM
haha... this reminds me of the old Kids In The Hall recurring sketch: "Thirty Helens Agree..."
Posted by: The MadPanda | February 15, 2009 2:36 PM
Blake Stacey beat me to it. Notedscholar clearly has either not read their FAQ (where they answer that question clearly and unambiguously) or experienced a reading comprehension EPIC FAIL.
And congratulations unto the Steves, for theirs is at least an amusing strategem. Lo, they are legion sufficient unto the 95% confidence level...
The MadPanda, FCD
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | February 15, 2009 2:43 PM
noted scholar is either a deep-cover Poe or an iconoclast to the point of nutdom. I have not invested the time to try to figure out which.
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 2:46 PM
Where do lady Steve's go to publicly subscribe to rationalism?
(not to NS's website - jeez there's some crap on there!)
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | February 15, 2009 2:51 PM
The "Steve" list includes Stephanies and other "lady Steves."
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 15, 2009 2:51 PM
Fucking apostrophe's. Talk about vestigial characteristics - or is it punctuated equilibrium?
Posted by: dave | February 15, 2009 3:40 PM
Dear "noted" "scholar"
And maybe you can stop making shit up. You can get the information from a link that's already been posted in this thread, but here it is again:
http://ncseweb.org/taking-action/project-steve-faq
"Steve" was chosen to honour the late Stephen Jay Gould - nothing more, nothing less.
It's interesting that even through this is limited only to people who are called Steve (or Stephan, or Stephanie, or other names of similar origin - in total a tiny percentage of the population) we still get many more signatures than similar creationist efforts, even though they're open to anyone they can get to sign them.
Posted by: Steve LaBonne | February 15, 2009 4:52 PM
This milestone makes me feel more honored than ever to be one of the Steves (and probably the least distinguished. ;) )
Posted by: Monado | February 15, 2009 4:56 PM
Ol Froth, maybe the your Web browser is confusing it with that other well-known site, "1,000 Dicks."
Posted by: nick nick bobick | February 15, 2009 4:58 PM
And of course a "raycomfort" is a measurement relating to a googolplex of stupid.
Posted by: SteveN | February 15, 2009 5:19 PM
One of the important things to note is that about two-thirds of the Steve/scientists on the list are actually biologists. There are very few biologists on the infamous creationist's list of 'scientists who doubt evolution' but quite a few engineers, doctors etc who may not be particularly qualified to pass public judgement on the veracity of evolution.
Posted by: Philip Kahn
|
February 15, 2009 5:25 PM
@10-12; nah, you're talking about a kibisteve. A kilobyte is technically 1000 bytes, you're talking about kibibytes. Whoo, binary notation ...
Posted by: Janine, Ignorant Slut | February 15, 2009 6:04 PM
The next project should be to find a kilosven. I wonder if we can include Chicago's very own Sven?
Posted by: cousinavi | February 15, 2009 7:39 PM
The Taiwanese commonly change their self-selected English names as a matter of whim.
I could generate a kilosteve by tomorrow evening using only three family names.
Not all Steves (nor all bits) are created equal.
Posted by: Vlad Nistor | February 15, 2009 10:30 PM
Yay!
Posted by: Grenangle | February 16, 2009 12:46 AM
Now I will be singing that damn song all night. Fantastic news. This has tickled me pink since I first heard of it 2 years back.
Posted by: Matt Heath | February 16, 2009 5:10 AM
Or the most brilliant parodist in the history of the internet. We really can't rule that out. He always seems to be too well read to actually be so stupid.Posted by: DaveKan | February 16, 2009 11:59 AM
Bah! Let me know when you have a KiloDave, then you will truly have something...
Posted by: Paper Hand | February 16, 2009 5:13 PM
Anthony K @ 21:
What's the unit of disingenuous misinformation - a "Ham"?
Yes, but in most cases, you'll be using millihams or even microhams.
Nick nick bobick @ 50:
And of course a "raycomfort" is a measurement relating to a googolplex of stupid.
Nano- is the most practical prefix for that in ordinary cases.
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | February 16, 2009 7:21 PM
That may well be so, but you can't become a member of the G.O.D.D.S. either, muahah.
Posted by: AnthonyK
|
February 16, 2009 9:39 PM
There isn't a category in by brain for Groups of Davids Doing Sstematics.
It's not evolved yet.