Evolution is not a scientific theory

[annielaurie]

Yes, the Higgs boson, and the notion of the Higgs field everywhere as a fabric that stretches like elastic, space-time itself.

Space is not empty space, it is a fabric of something, a stretchy field of Higgs particles. Numbers of them so great they could never be counted create a field everywhere that gives baryonic matter its mass. That is why galaxies and stars and planets have mass and exist, and why ultimately we have mass and exist.

And they called it the "goddamn" particle at first, because it was so goddamn hard to find. Others took the ball and ran with it, and now people call it the God particle.

[boxy]

Education should teach children how to think, not what to think. Science education should focus on the basics of science and how to research for yourself.

Hippy bullshit. While it is important to teach critical thinking, it is also important to teach the basics of foundation theories. There is no way you could justify saying that physics teachers should concentrate on teaching thinking skills above the basics of gravity, momentum and force?

Being taught the basics of the science, so that every new generation doesn't have to discover them all over again is the whole point of education.

And quite frankly, there are times when an "appeal to authority" should be entirely appropriate. We have come to a stage in civilisation where, no matter how intelligent you are, and how much time you put into research, no one can understand the cutting edge science in more than a few specific areas. We rely on the authority of those who devote their lives to such research, and on the ability of others in the area to evaluate data and review results.

[mantra]

Education should teach children how to think, not what to think. Science education should focus on the basics of science and how to research for yourself.

Hippy bullshit. While it is important to teach critical thinking, it is also important to teach the basics of foundation theories. There is no way you could justify saying that physics teachers should concentrate on teaching thinking skills above the basics of gravity, momentum and force?

Being taught the basics of the science, so that every new generation doesn't have to discover them all over again is the whole point of education.

And quite frankly, there are times when an "appeal to authority" should be entirely appropriate. We have come to a stage in civilisation where, no matter how intelligent you are, and how much time you put into research, no one can understand the cutting edge science in more than a few specific areas. We rely on the authority of those who devote their lives to such research, and on the ability of others in the area to evaluate data and review results.

Unless we're teachers, do any of us know exactly what is being taught in school these days? However they are being encouraged to think independently, which is different to the way my generation was taught. Everything was fact if it came out of a textbook. Evolution was never taught in a science class, although it might be today in a few religious schools who promote creationism. This was allowed by the Howard government at the time, although it may have been stopped by now.

[Aussie]

'might'......'may'.......at least we were spared 'assume' this time.

[boxy]

Piss off, arsie.

[Aussie]

Piss off, arsie.

You're boring poxie.

[boxy]

That's what she said...

[Super Nova]

It is clear by looking at you Evolution blog that you are a creationist. We may as well get to the point straight away.

I will work backwards through your site.

Has evolution become a religion?
http://www.ozpolitic.com/evolution/evol ... igion.html

All people tend to come up with a creator or a creation story, even if they haven't been exposed to an 'established' religion.

Don't agree. There is a desire to explain everything including how and why we are here.

WRONG: Evolution does not describe the first creation of life only how life has progressed.

They show a lot of faith in these stories. Is evolution turning into one of these?

NO. This is not an issue of faith and a theory is an explaination not just a story.

Does the dogma behind it and the efforts people will go to to promote it indicate that people have invested a lot more emotionally in it than it's academic value alone would inspire?

NO. That is not how science works.

Educating people of the scientific truth is the foundation of our education system.

Stories about an imaginary creator that gives a shit about us seems to have had a huge investment by institutions that are afraid of losing their influence and power have more invested in it.

[freediver]

Education should teach children how to think, not what to think. Science education should focus on the basics of science and how to research for yourself.

Hippy bullshit. While it is important to teach critical thinking, it is also important to teach the basics of foundation theories.

Oh, you mean something like this?

Science education should focus on the basics of science

Don't agree. There is a desire to explain everything including how and why we are here.

Can you explain how this 'disagrees'?

WRONG: Evolution does not describe the first creation of life only how life has progressed.

What is this a response to?

NO. This is not an issue of faith and a theory is an explaination not just a story.

That doesn't stop people investing emotional faith in it. I have seen it first hand.

NO. That is not how science works.

Duh. That was my point. And besides, the people doing this are not the ones doing the research. They usually have a poor technical grasp of it.

[Aussie]

freediver.....for me, the question "Where did we come from," is not worth asking, as there will never be a finite answer. Ergo............all this discussion is twaddle of an esoteric kind. But, at least, I understand where boxy is coming from, and I have no idea what your position is.

I have just stated mine in............."for me, the question 'Where did we come from,' is not worth asking, as there will never be a finite answer. "

What is yours in the same brevity and without any obfuscation?