Re: paleonet Stupid design

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I prefer the phrase "incompetent design", because it vaguely sounds like
"intelligent design", and thus could be used to satirize the latter. 
For example, despite the fact that I am myself a Christian, I think one
could, to update an observation from Mark Twain, look at the composition
of the United States Congress and reasonably conclude that if an
omniscient entity set out deliberately to create a world in which such
an organization would exist, that entity is at best incompetent, and
more likely a moron.


<rimshot>


But seriously, folks, is there anybody out there who has a reasonably
nice specimen of the Early Cretaceous Texas gastropod _Nerinia roemeri_
in their museum collection?  I would like to use a photo of said beast
in a publication about dinosaur footprints (yeah, there is a connection)
I am writing.  Person contributing the photo would get a credit line and
copy of the publication--what a deal!  If you have one, please contact
me off-list.



>>> harrisj@cvn.com 04/08/05 8:48 AM >>>
I like jean-louis' notion of SD or Stupid Design. It might be a good 
way to combat the ID idea. However, most get their spiritual (actually

mainly religious) beliefs all mixed up with how we see the world--as if

our perception were true. It is almost as ridiculous as arguing about 
how the honey-bee sees the world and making vast universal principles 
from this.

But it is not good to rant. Doesn't ever resolve anything. Just shows 
where our sore spots are.

judith harris


On Apr 8, 2005, at 6:07 AM, jean-louis VOLAT wrote:

> As a french, I may have little understanding of the ID theory. How do

> they cope with the numerous examples of poor design in living 
> organisms ?
> I remember a movie showing an argument against the existence of a 
> Creator from the position of the human tibia in front of the leg, 
> which makes it a fragile and easy target. In a similar way, the 
> panda's thumb famous from Gould's paper is a very poor way (a 
> deformation of the metacarpian) of gaining a prehensile hand. With 
> their short arms the Tyrex could not only reach their own mouth...
> We know this comes from the historical contingency of evolution, but

> how could God be so poor an architect ?
>
> JLV
>
>