Freethought & Rationalism Archive

RufusAtticus · 02-20-2003, 06:08 PM

Creationist letters to the editors are so uniform that I suspect that there must be an engine on the web someplace that randomly places paragraphs together and sends them to newspapers.

Hmm if it doesn't exist it should. I wonder if winace has enough quotes in his database to keep one running.

Abacus · 02-20-2003, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusAtticus
Creationist letters to the editors are so uniform that I suspect that there must be an engine on the web someplace that randomly places paragraphs together and sends them to newspapers.

Or maybe they all go to Dr. Dino's website and copy whatever he says there.

beekay · 02-21-2003, 03:37 PM

Thank you all very much for your comments and links and such. I will be writing my next column about the Columbine martyr myth ... in a respectful yet truthful way. One of the objectives I've set for myself when writing these columns is to try to dispel myths, and here is a prime opportunity to set a story straight, provided I do it in a nonconfrontational way--as best I can at least.

I am also considering writing a column about evolution once a month. But I'm not sure whether I should or not. I would like your advice, if you would be so kind as to offer it.

On the plus side, I need to think about the general population who may be reading the exchange that has taken place so far. The last thing I want is someone thinking that the letter writers' points are actually sound and valid. I know I will not convince the hardcore creationists, but all the people who have never given the subject much thought before may be swayed by the creationist arguements if there are no counter-arguements presented.

On the negative side, I can't speak with any type of authority. I'm not a biologist or scientist of any kind. Shoot, I don't even have a college degree. All I would be doing is taking what has already been written by others and rewriting it for my audience. I would try to include my own thought and observations in order to make the pieces somewhat original, but I would essentially just be repeating what others have been saying for decades. I know that the creationist letter writers are just parroting the likes of Behe, but what would set me apart from them if I am doing essentially the same dang thing?

So there ya go. That's my dilemma. Gotta think on it some. I welcome your opinions. Thanks again for your comments so far.

Advocatus Diaboli · 02-21-2003, 03:57 PM

"The young gunman didn't believe that God exists, therefore, he didn't believe in an ultimate moral authority .Consequently, life to him had no meaning beyond the moment. He had no respect for the gift of life -not even his own. Now it would be unfair to blame only the teaching of Darwinian Evolution for this tragedy, but there is no denying that it played a role "

Yes sir. As a Darwinian atheist I have great difficulties controlling my urge to rape, murder, steal, drink blood, fornicate and play video games.

RufusAtticus · 02-21-2003, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Advocatus Diaboli
Yes sir. As a Darwinian atheist I have great difficulties controlling my urge to rape, murder, steal, drink blood, fornicate and play video games.

I thought it was because you are Finnish.

lpetrich · 02-21-2003, 04:39 PM

Beekay, I suggest that you write an article about biogeography and how well evolution explains it -- let's see how well creationists can explain why rattlesnakes are found only in the Americas, while poisonous snakes can live elsewhere in the world without any trouble. I think that this would be a fun "let's see you explain THAT" challenge; it should be fun to watch them come up with preposterous Just So Stories.

Dr.GH · 02-21-2003, 05:13 PM

Beekay, It will ultimately be a question for your editor, but my vote is for writing the articles. I proposed a regular article to SciAm and they ran away from the idea (and then they denied they ran away from the idea). You can always count on II denisens for technaical support.

Good luck.

Advocatus Diaboli · 02-21-2003, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusAtticus
I thought it was because you are Finnish.

Well, that has something to do with it too.

MrDarwin · 02-21-2003, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beekay
On the negative side, I can't speak with any type of authority. I'm not a biologist or scientist of any kind. Shoot, I don't even have a college degree. All I would be doing is taking what has already been written by others and rewriting it for my audience. I would try to include my own thought and observations in order to make the pieces somewhat original, but I would essentially just be repeating what others have been saying for decades. I know that the creationist letter writers are just parroting the likes of Behe, but what would set me apart from them if I am doing essentially the same dang thing?

You will be more convincing to more people if you don't use the scientific mumbo-jumbo that turns so many people off. Let's face it, many people are scientifically illiterate and are intimidated when somebody uses a word they don't know. So concentrate on why you find evolution convincing, and explain it in everyday language.

But definitely look into biogeography, especially the Hawaiian islands. There's lots of good stuff there.

lpetrich · 02-21-2003, 07:56 PM

In biogeography, you can easily find examples that your readers could relate to, like rattlesnakes vs. other poisonous snakes, Australia's distinctive fauna, why some oceanic islands have giant turtles but none ever have any giant rats, etc.

You could mention why the northern hemisphere has woodchucks and marmots while Australia has wombats, for instance. And mention Darwin's famous quote from his creationist years about how "there must be two Creators at work" in Australia vs. elsewhere.

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02-20-2003, 06:08 PM	#11
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Creationist letters to the editors are so uniform that I suspect that there must be an engine on the web someplace that randomly places paragraphs together and sends them to newspapers. Hmm if it doesn't exist it should. I wonder if winace has enough quotes in his database to keep one running.

02-21-2003, 03:37 PM	#13
beekay Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 121	Thank you all very much for your comments and links and such. I will be writing my next column about the Columbine martyr myth ... in a respectful yet truthful way. One of the objectives I've set for myself when writing these columns is to try to dispel myths, and here is a prime opportunity to set a story straight, provided I do it in a nonconfrontational way--as best I can at least. I am also considering writing a column about evolution once a month. But I'm not sure whether I should or not. I would like your advice, if you would be so kind as to offer it. On the plus side, I need to think about the general population who may be reading the exchange that has taken place so far. The last thing I want is someone thinking that the letter writers' points are actually sound and valid. I know I will not convince the hardcore creationists, but all the people who have never given the subject much thought before may be swayed by the creationist arguements if there are no counter-arguements presented. On the negative side, I can't speak with any type of authority. I'm not a biologist or scientist of any kind. Shoot, I don't even have a college degree. All I would be doing is taking what has already been written by others and rewriting it for my audience. I would try to include my own thought and observations in order to make the pieces somewhat original, but I would essentially just be repeating what others have been saying for decades. I know that the creationist letter writers are just parroting the likes of Behe, but what would set me apart from them if I am doing essentially the same dang thing? So there ya go. That's my dilemma. Gotta think on it some. I welcome your opinions. Thanks again for your comments so far.

02-21-2003, 03:57 PM	#14
Advocatus Diaboli Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Finland Posts: 372	"The young gunman didn't believe that God exists, therefore, he didn't believe in an ultimate moral authority .Consequently, life to him had no meaning beyond the moment. He had no respect for the gift of life -not even his own. Now it would be unfair to blame only the teaching of Darwinian Evolution for this tragedy, but there is no denying that it played a role " Yes sir. As a Darwinian atheist I have great difficulties controlling my urge to rape, murder, steal, drink blood, fornicate and play video games.

02-21-2003, 04:39 PM	#16
lpetrich Contributor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lebanon, OR, USA Posts: 16,829	Beekay, I suggest that you write an article about biogeography and how well evolution explains it -- let's see how well creationists can explain why rattlesnakes are found only in the Americas, while poisonous snakes can live elsewhere in the world without any trouble. I think that this would be a fun "let's see you explain THAT" challenge; it should be fun to watch them come up with preposterous Just So Stories.

02-21-2003, 05:13 PM	#17
Dr.GH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Dana Point, Ca, USA Posts: 2,115	Beekay, It will ultimately be a question for your editor, but my vote is for writing the articles. I proposed a regular article to SciAm and they ran away from the idea (and then they denied they ran away from the idea). You can always count on II denisens for technaical support. Good luck.

02-21-2003, 07:56 PM	#20
lpetrich Contributor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lebanon, OR, USA Posts: 16,829	In biogeography, you can easily find examples that your readers could relate to, like rattlesnakes vs. other poisonous snakes, Australia's distinctive fauna, why some oceanic islands have giant turtles but none ever have any giant rats, etc. You could mention why the northern hemisphere has woodchucks and marmots while Australia has wombats, for instance. And mention Darwin's famous quote from his creationist years about how "there must be two Creators at work" in Australia vs. elsewhere.

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