Sunday, March 28, 2010

The experiment that launched evolution.

"Charles Darwin did little experimental science. He did make several descriptive studies of barnacles and worms and some experimental studies about how species spread through seed dispersal and other processes. Yet his masterpiece, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, contains neither a single mathematical equation nor any report of original experimental research. Yet he formulated a great scientific theory."

Stephen Meyer - Signature in the Cell p139

6 comments:

Psiloiordinary said...

Plenty of experiments in OOS.

It's a jolly good read too.

Why don't you try it - you might learn something?

Cheers,

Psi

Andrew Rowell said...

I have a copy on my desk.
Other than those described by Meyer can you list a few?

Psiloiordinary said...

Hi Andrew,

This is from memory only and bearing in mind that biogeography was perhaps the strongest line of evidence Darwin discussed;

seed germination after immersion in salt water

transport of seeds in mud on birds legs

Happy to look up the others if you can't be bothered to read it.

Regards,

Psi

Andrew Rowell said...

"studies about how species spread through seed dispersal and other processes."

That encompases those you list.

Research Paper said...

Many institutions limit access to their online information. Making this information available will be an asset to all.

Cedric Katesby said...

8/May/2010

Andrew, this is it.

Seriously, THIS IS IT!!!!!!!

At last, the avalanche of hard-core ID science that you have been waiting for will soon come at last.
Any minute now.
You may now start to hold your breath.
No, really!!!!!

The undisputed champion, the successor, the inheritor by divine right of that other journal that sank like a stone....

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you...(drum roll please)................................................................................(more drum roll for truely dramatic effect)..........................................

THE.
NEW.
PEER-REVIEWED. (no really!)
ID
JOURNAL.

Can you dig it?
Wow.

"Purpose
BIO-Complexity is a peer-reviewed scientific journal with a unique goal. It aims to be the leading forum for testing the scientific merit of the claim that intelligent design (ID) is a credible explanation for life. Because questions having to do with the role and origin of information in living systems are at the heart of the scientific controversy over ID, these topics—viewed from all angles and perspectives—are central to the journal's scope.

To achieve its aim, BIO-Complexity is founded on the principle of critical exchange that makes science work. Specifically, the journal enlists editors and reviewers with scientific expertise in relevant fields who hold a wide range of views on the merit of ID, but who agree on the importance of science for resolving controversies of this kind. Our editors use expert peer review, guided by their own judgement, to decide whether submitted work merits consideration and critique. BIO-Complexity aims not merely to publish work that meets this standard, but also to provide expert critical commentary on it."


Now that's sciencey-ish!

Found out about it from here.

They have some interesting comments.

Say what you like, this is big news.
A bold new approach.
A bastion of real science.
All ID, ALL the time.

100% ID Friendly.

Let the people know.
Let the papers gather.
Let the scientific truth that is ID be finally (FINALLY) known.

Be gone, you scientific gatekeepers, you. You will keep ID scientists silent NO LONGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch that space.
Really, really watch it.

This is the big time.
If you listen very hard, you can actually hear biologists smashing their secret graven idols of Darwin in frustration.
H.M.S Darwin is now officially sunk!

(Deep breath)

Care to speculate on how it will all work out?

In the light of our recent conversations, I find this all very...interesting.

Go on, admit it.
You're curious!
:)
.................................

p.s.

I am actually trying to be funny here in an ironic way and give you a bit of a smile.

I really am not trying to make you angry or anything.
You've been more willing to meet me half way lately and don't think I haven't noticed.

Tell me what your first impressions are.
Be brutally honest.
How do you reckon this journal is going to end up?

Yours,
Cedric.