Viti

So I have been thinking about making a website incorporating the "What Kind is IT?" examples, rebuttal of the "kinds" argument/non-definition from the main Creationidiots ICR, Aig, and Dr. Dino, and more or less making the Literal Gensesisists have to do better to justify their silliness. I also learned about animals I never even imagined existed via these threads (did a What Kind... sister thread at Christian Forums) and found the whole thing fascinating and educational so I am sure there are others like me out there.

So a couple things came to mind.

Who the hell am I? I don't even have a degree...should I even bother? Would someone with a degree, preferbly in some relevent field, consider helping me or at least proofing content for accuracy?

Should I do a "What Kind is It" quiz or challenge or simply present the info?

Where can I get pictures of various animals for free? Do you think most sites would let me use a picture like we did in the threads? What is the proper way to get prmission? Can I use quotes from other sites like Dr. Dino for rebuttal purposes without permission?

Doubting Didymus

If you plan it here, we can all help. I don't have a degree (yet), but I know one or two taxonomic nightmares that are unkindable.

I've got no idea what copyright is like in the US. (I assume you'd have to follow US rules?) Can you reproduce pictures if you fully reference them?

I like the idea of the kind quizzes. Celsus, Morpho and I planned a couple of those in #infidelchat toward the dying days of the 'what kind' thread. The important thing is to keep the point of the whole thing in mind at all times: that the fact is, either there are too many kinds to fit into the ark, or there is a huge amount of post-flood evolution allowed by creationists (namely, more variation than exists between humans and chimps.)

I'm going to bump the old thread...

Doubting Didymus

Oh, and the relevant fields you're looking for are taxonomists and phylogeneticists. If any are reading, stand up and be counted for the cause!

Viti

Excuse all my typos in the OP...I experienced some sort of caffeine+boredom induced ADD today.

Arikay

I think its a great idea.

Im not sure about the pictures, but I would assume you might have to get permission, and probably keep them on your server so you dont use their bandwidth.

As far as quotes from DrDino, as long as you cite the source and dont just quote the entire article, its perfectly fine (I asked a similiar question not too long ago on this board).

Roland98

Wish I could help, but I'm in the wrong branch of biology...but I certainly think it's an excellent idea! :notworthy

Viti

Roland...any branch of biology will at least help me make sure I have my facts straight! Did you see the original thread? It was so much fun.

Doubting Didymus

I've bumped the thread.

Shpongle

I doubt most people would care (this is, of course, assuming you are putting the pictures on your own server and not hot-linking them). Technically, unless they explicitly give permission to reproduce the pictures from their site, it would be a copyright violation to take the pictures and use them on your own site (assuming they own the copyright). Of course, that doesn't seem to matter much these days.

Ask them nicely.

Yes.

Btw, I think it is a really good (and original) idea and would like to see you follow through with it.

Celsus

Hi LadyShea,

Yes, I'm still interested in this, although a touch busy. If you like, an excellent resource is The Variety of Life: A Survey and a Celebration of All the Creatures That Have Ever Lived by Colin Tudge. Although it doesn't have all the creatures that have ever lived, it does break down all the major branches (going into more detail in some cases e.g. hominids, while backing off in others e.g. nematodes) into an easily understandable guide, and explanation of cladistics, etc. Only nitpick is that it relies on sketches, not photographs. With that in hand, you probably won't need me.

Joel