Probably the most frustrating thing about fake science pages that claim to articulate scientific information is that they rarely ever have any scientific information within them to start with. In one particular article posted to a website called "Answers in Genesis", the entire theory of evolution was apparently deemed impossible in less than 600 words. One of the arguments given? "There's no way fish are going to sprout hair and opposable thumbs."
A common theme within arguments against evolution is masking evidence while highlighting areas of uncertainty, and at the same time making claims that sound smart and scientific but really mean nothing. "A fish doesn’t just morph into an amphibian without something changing in the genes. It would have to gain some new information." Well, the problem is, a fish doesn't really just morph into an amphibian, sir. Evolution is gradual development, an accumulation of mutations and changes that could eventually lead to speciation and the rise of new species. As a matter of fact, there is actual, physical evidence of fish to amphibian evolution occurring in the form of fossil records, and it would not take more than 30 seconds of focus to see that it is a gradual, step by step process that took millions of years.
There is consistent attempt within the anti-evolution community to make such claims, ranging from "I never saw a monkey turn into a human" to now "fish are not going to sprout opposable thumbs". While the first thing we can question is how people are allowed to publish garbage like this in the first place, we must also ask ourselves where these people get this information and whether they are adequately scientifically informed to comment on these matters. More and more laws are being instated that not only push for teaching creationism in classrooms but also allow learning evolution to become optional, especially in more conservative areas such as Tennessee and Texas. Evolution is not the only area that is affected by this, with problems such as climate change denial and other non-science ideas being politically propelled into classrooms. This has to end soon before more and more people buy into this nonsense.
Posted by Peter Makhoul (3)
https://answersingenesis.org/evidence-against-evolution/evolution-impossible/
http://chem.tufts.edu/science/evolution/fish-amphibian-transition.htm
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/law-allows-creationism-to-be-taught-in-tenn-public-schools/2012/04/11/gIQAAjqxAT_story.html?utm_term=.081ce8259f26
I could not agree more Peter! Most of these fake science websites go against the idea of evolution which is very comical. Clearly evolution has continued to educate us on almost every living thing and to even think to go against it is ridiculous. Did this article have any credible resources or references? doubt it haha!
ReplyDeletePosted by Angela Driscoll (group A)
They probably have absolutely no credible sources for the garbage they write. It's all just meant to sound smart when it really means nothing. The problem is that people will continue to be misguided especially when they are uninformed that sites like these are spewing fake science news.
DeletePosted by Peter Makhoul (Group C)
"Answers in Genesis" is a worrisome website. The title itself reveals to visitors what kind of information is provided on the website. The big problem is that many of the people that visit the site take what it says as gospel. Pun intended. The articles on the site, like you mentioned, exploit uncertainties and blatantly ignore proven facts. It is important for individuals to become educated about the truths of evolution so they will not be fooled by websites like these.
ReplyDeletePosted by Leah DeLorenzo (group A)
First of all, loved the pun. Second of all, you're absolutely right. It's all meant to exploit people and to what end? I don't understand the drive to misguide people and give them fake news. It doesn't make sense that they would continuously publish these things when it does more harm then good.
DeletePosted by Peter Makhoul (Group C)
I agree with you that this fake science needs to be monitored ESPECIALLY in the school systems where children go to be properly educated! I don't understand why the vast majority hasn't accepted evolution. People focus on the tiny details that we haven't completely figured out instead of the very clear and convincing big picture. I'd like them to take a step back, look at how many more "uncertainties" come with creation, then DO SOME RESEARCH! It's not that they can't find the truth, it's that they are too closed minded to look.
ReplyDeletePosted by Caitlin Lohr
If you are going to try to disprove the theory of evolution, you are definitely going to need more than 600 words to do it. Also, based on some of the excerpts in your blog, it sounds like the person that was trying to argue against evolution did not even understand the theory. Of course fish aren't going to just sprout hair or thumbs. Evolution is a gradual process that occurs over many generations. I think the person who was trying to argue against the theory of evolution should have done more research on what evolution actually is before they tried to disprove it.
ReplyDeletePosted by: Katie Kossack
The comparison between the bible and science will forever contradict one another, and having people on either side of the argument. Pure scientists tend to be dogmatic about their point of view on evolution, same is true for religious individuals. This article was obviously very one sided on the matter and biased towards the science. I agree it can be difficult to have a reasonable debate on the two without being biased. But this article clearly neglected using credible sources for his argument and a lack of judgment. I wished for some to realize that evolution isn't an overnight sensation, that it for a single change to occur it takes generations and generations. Great post.
ReplyDeletePublished by: Givenchy Humes (B)