NationStates Jolt Archive

Well if all the myriad ways in which Intelligent Design has been torn to shreds on these boards still hasn't convinced you that it's really not science, maybe this will do it.

Michael Behe, one of IDs most prominent and oft-cited advocates, has now admitted under oath that his definition of what constitutes a scientific theory which he uses to justify classifying ID as such is so broad that if it were accepted astrology would also have to be considered a "scientific theory".

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8178

Who's up for that class being taught in high school science right after you wrap up physics?

Well if all the myriad ways in which Intelligent Design has been torn to shreads on these boards still hasn't convinced you that it's really not science, maybe this will do it.

Michael Behe, one of IDs most prominent and oft-cited advocates, has now admitted under oath that the definition of what constitutes a scientific theory which he uses to justify classifying ID as such is so broad that if it were accepted astrology would also have to be considered a "scientific theory".

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8178

Who's up for that class being taught in high school science right after you wrap up physics?

I am. It would be fun. :D

"Mr. Teacher, what going to happen to me if I fall off of a 128m cliff into a calm sea. I'm a Leo, if that helps."

I am. It would be fun. :D

"Mr. Teacher, what going to happen to me if I fall off of a 128m cliff into a calm sea. I'm a Leo, if that helps."

I can see it now...

"And today we have a special treat. Class, please welcome guest lecturer Dr. Sally Brompton PhD(Astr.), you may know her for her horoscope column in the New York Post. As a folllow-up on our earlier lecture on statistical theory she's going to show us how to determine our lucky lotto numbers!"

I really need to get a copy of that court transcript for future reference...

That's beautiful.

That's beautiful.

I know it brought a tear to my eye.

And a giant grin to my face... and laughter to my throat... and an urge to actually point at my screen while going "hah, you're screwed!" to my thoughts...

Behe maintains that ID is science: “Under my definition, scientific theory is a proposed explanation which points to physical data and logical inferences.”

This is great. Pure comedic gold. We are right because if we use my definition instead of the accepted definition of scientists ID is a science is the essence of that statement.

That definition of science elevates the Weekly World News so that it becomes a respected scientific journal.

Just remember, Bigfoot did it. He's a pisces.

I notice there has been a pronounced lack of reply from the ID contingent...

I notice there has been a pronounced lack of reply from the ID contingent...

is there even a serious ID contingent, other than in the media?

So if 1+1=5 and Behe is a Scorpio while Mars is in inverted transition with the 6th House of Jupiter than I can write a C++ program that can cure cancer.

I love this new Behe "broader" definition. I can do anything via "logical inference"!!

Finally! Yes! Screw you pseudo-scientists and your pseudoscience! Aaaaahahahahahaaaaa!

is there even a serious ID contingent, other than in the media?

If you mean a serious effort to apply ID in actual scientific research to produce actual results rather than to hype ID in the press and at school board meetings and in popularized non peer reviewed books (only $29.99... see the truth about evolution that the scientific "establishment" doesn't want you to know!) no, there really isn't. (there's a contingent of ID advocates on the forums... or at least there used to be. They seem to have gotten scarce)

None of this stops the ID people from claiming that there is some giant movement in the works within the scientific community however... during their interminable lobbying of school boards and politicians and meetings with their book publishers and everything else except actually sitting down and producing some real scientific results by putting their "theory" to work.

That definition of science elevates the Weekly World News so that it becomes a respected scientific journal.

speaking of which, behe also claimed that his book "darwin's black box" was rigourously peer-reviewed with an even higher standard than scientific journal articles.

the words of one of the 'reviewers', who was claimed to be the deciding factor in publishing it:

"We spent approximately 10 minutes on the phone. After hearing a description of the work, I suggested that the editor should seriously consider publishing the manuscript. I told him that the origin of life issue was still up in the air. It sounded like this Behe fellow might have some good ideas, although I could not be certain since I had never seen the manuscript."

http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/behe_pwnage/

Who's up for that class being taught in high school science right after you wrap up physics?
I would entirely support astrology being taught in public schools, but not in science class.

btw, the panda's thumb (http://www.pandasthumb.org/) has all of your ID bashing needs covered, as well as a pile of interesting evolution stuff.

Well if all the myriad ways in which Intelligent Design has been torn to shreds on these boards still hasn't convinced you that it's really not science, maybe this will do it.

Michael Behe, one of IDs most prominent and oft-cited advocates, has now admitted under oath that his definition of what constitutes a scientific theory which he uses to justify classifying ID as such is so broad that if it were accepted astrology would also have to be considered a "scientific theory".

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8178

Who's up for that class being taught in high school science right after you wrap up physics?

Thanks for sharing. A good find.

I guess hospitals will start using crytals and stones to cure diseases and ailments??? How about we use tarot cards to predict the weather ( actually I wouldnt be surprised if they actually did use tarot cards :D )


oh, and I just moved up a rank in the forum post ratings :eek: