RE: What if?

Well, 10 layers AT LEAST:

   1 one for the money -- credit and fame for the layer that tells it's
all
         in 2 sentences that a moron can understand when he doesn't have
to
         work his head and hands off, ie. Gets a day of real rest.
   2 for the show -- dramamatic essay on 2 species fighting it out to
the
              end, to explain it non-scientists why it's worth all the
fuss
   3 to get ready -- for all the bruhau condemnation of even thinking
that
          insects distribution in 3 of the most obscure layers could be
a
          clue to why we don't see more consistency everywhere
   4 to go -- which 4 species have lasted longest, each one in a layer
group
          which demonstrates a big crowd able to fend off natural
enemies
          without annihilating so many other species as humans seem to
do.

   5 extras -- where there are mysterious comebacks -- how do they hide
so
         well and what environmental situation causes them to go
exploring
         for more suitable habitats with so many predicaments putting
them
         at risk just from the weather and not just from other creatures

So I suggest 15, plus an extra to be voted upon by a show of hands as
   worthy of looking into if we have the extra time before doomsday
hits.

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of Alexanian, Moorad
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 1:34 PM
To: Charles Carrigan; asa@calvin.edu
Subject: RE: What if?

How many layers must we analyze to see a clear species/species
transition?
 
Moorad
 
 

________________________________

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu on behalf of Charles Carrigan
Sent: Wed 12/8/2004 11:05 AM
To: asa@calvin.edu; Alexanian, Moorad
Subject: RE: What if?

Suppose there are three stratigraphic layers A,B, and C, in
chronological order, with A the lowest in the pile and the oldest in
age. There are no significant breaks in the pile that would suggest
long periods of time in between them. Suppose we find a fossil animal
in layer A, and a somewhat different one (but yet clearly related)
fossil in C. Evolution predicts that there would be an intermediate
fossil in layer B, if preserved. That prediction could be tested, could
it not?
 
of course this is a simplification, and there are all kinds of "what
if's" and possible exceptions, but this is a definite real possible test
of evolutionary theory. Researchers use this kind of logic all the time
when they want to find the newest, latest, and greatest transitional
form and publish a paper in Science or Nature.
 
best,
Charles
 
 
<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><
Charles W. Carrigan
Olivet Nazarene University
Dept. of Geology
One University Ave.
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
PH: (815) 939-5346
FX: (815) 939-5071
 
 

>>> "Alexanian, Moorad" <alexanian@uncw.edu> 12/7/2004 4:48:37 PM >>>

Evolution is not an experimental science. Is it? It uses science in the
same way that forensic science uses experimental science. Evolution
deals with unique, historical events--just like cosmology. Where is the
nonsense in what I have said. It is your comment that is nonsensical!

Moorad

________________________________

From: Michael Roberts [mailto:michael.andrea.r@ukonline.co.uk]
Sent: Tue 12/7/2004 4:15 PM
To: Alexanian, Moorad; Either Carol or John Burgeson; asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: What if?

Nonsense Moorad
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alexanian, Moorad" <alexanian@uncw.edu>
To: "Either Carol or John Burgeson" <burgytwo@juno.com>;
<asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 8:38 PM
Subject: RE: What if?

> Burgy you pose the wrong question. Evolution is not on equal footing
with
every scientific theory. In fact, the only scientific theory that would
be
similarly in question would be cosmology. Certainly evolution is not a
scientific theory as such theories in the experimental sciences,
physics,
chemistry, etc.
>
> Moorad
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu on behalf of Either Carol or John
Burgeson
> Sent: Tue 12/7/2004 1:37 PM
> To: asa@calvin.edu
> Subject: What if?
>
>
>
> What would be the end-product of American public schools if
> we allow every scientific theory to be questioned as evolution is
> questioned??
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2004/12/05/opinion/06purr.html
>
> Burgy
>
>
>
>
Received on Wed Dec 8 15:48:05 2004