We wanted to attend the Town Hall evolution vs Jesus Freaks debate last night. It was on our calendar and we had all our stuff layed out. Pen, notebook, pillowcase full of doorknobs... That's the wrong attitude, though. You can't beat science into someone's head, it turns out. Someone emailed us with the right attitude today, though, and we'd like to share it with you. Thanks for the email Samantha.
Although recent efforts to challenge evolution in the schools have failed, that hasn't stopped The Discovery Institute from a full blown PR campaign seeking to give its non-theory of 'Intelligent Design'(ID) some scientific credibility (despite it's non-scientific premise that life was all made by God, not evolved).The Institute is located right here in our own backyard, the epicenter of agnostic hedonism. So it was no wonder there was standing room only at last night's Town Hall debate public debate on the matter.
A show of hands revealed that the debate did not change any minds, and if not for the hilarious Gorilla who crashed the festivities with his mocking "Down With Science" sign, the night would have been thoroughly depressing.
I followed the monkey with my phone camera (see attached) as he was escorted outside, and asked him why the monkey suit. He mentioned his concern that the seriousness of these debates only serves to legitimize the ID movement, and noted that UW professor Peter Ward didn't help matters with his angry and defensive tone.
I'd have to agree ~ the more serious we treat this issue, the more emotionally involved we allow ourselves to become, the more 'controversial' the topic becomes, and the more we give these movements credibility.
Then again, if we remain silent, the opposing side will slowly win over everyone who isn't comfortable thinking for themselves - a seemingly growing segment of our population.
I think the Gorilla provides a surprisingly clever solution to this classic dilemma. If I had my way, this idea would evolve into its own movement.
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Shit. I couldn't go either. I know, I posted it, but... Anyhow, what I didn't say in my post prior to the event was that I was afraid that Peter Ward would sound angry and defensive. Democrats, scientists--I always pick the sore losers. OK, scientists haven't technically "lost" this one yet.
But Samantha has a damn fine point. Evolutionary proponents should be laughing at these fools like they're saying gravity is just a theory, and it is thanks to the sheer willpower of the Discovery Institute that they are keeping us all from floating into space.
I like the gorilla, but was seriously expecting some Flying Spaghetti Monster showings last night. What gives?
H I L A R I O U S.
H I L A R I O U S
Unfortunately I couldn't attend the event last night either. I'm not really one who is much for antics--I'm more of a techie type who cares about who is really right and who is really wrong.
So I found the comments on this page about gorilla suits and "evolution vs Jesus Freaks" much less enlightening than the report at:
http://www.uncommondescent.com/index.php/archives/1076
because that page actually dealt with the arguments raised. All I want to know is, where is your refutation of Meyer's arguments supporting intelligent design? Why do you just call names and talk about guys in gorilla suits? Don't you guys really care about truth?
Well, I WAS there, so I enough excuses! It was probably a disappointing evening for everyone present save the Discovery Institute itself, which got a much-needed bit of positive PR. All Meyer had to do was sit there and dryly recite pseudoscientific jargon opposite the rancorous and poorly-socialized Ward, and the ID folks won the day (though nobody's mind, apparently). For an actual respectable legitimate layman's rebuttal to the claims of ID, see
http://www.slate.com/id/2127052/
or
http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/nhmag.html
Ah, truth. If there is an axis of evil in this world, it is that word. John, did you read Samantha's email? We are talking about people in gorilla suits because that has more relevance to evolutionary theory than anything the Discovery Institute can concoct. We make light because their platform isn't worth taking seriously in a debate.
On another note, let me tell you about the alien abduction experience I had last night. That was some seriously true shit...
I'm all for the creationists. Diversity makes life interesting, and what's better than a whole subculture of people with their own brand of science. It amazes me that they stick to their beliefs with such conviction, but, like the flat-earthers and the people who think we didn't actually land on the moon, I find them rather endearing.
Go Creationists!
I was there too, and briefly spoke with the gorilla guy afterwards - his name is Scott Kennedy, and he's clearly some sort of political strategist - he was talking with mostly ID folks afterwards, who were convinced he was on their side. They hugged and took pictures with him, but told him that the extreme nature of his sign might alienate people, and suggested other phrases. He would enthusiastically repeat their phrase, but give it a twist that made it more extreme, and more obviously stupid. I doubt he got anyone to change their position, but he was certainly having a lot more fun than I was, and his technique seemed to "charm & disarm" the ID folks (who frankly, like it simple). The added bonus, of course, is that any event with a gorilla is clearly an entertainment event, not a serious one!
The whole event reminded me of that old saying "never wrestle with a pig, because you both get dirty and the pig likes it." Same goes for debates with Hannity, O'Reilly, Rush, et al. Using formal public debate is like fighting with ground troops. The gorilla is like a smart bomb. A funny smart bomb.
Seth says:
"Diversity makes life interesting, and what's better than a whole subculture of people with their own brand of science."
Brand? These people are growing in strength, and it is a long-run danger to our society. They are not a fringe in America, they are near to a majority.
The ID people have never even proposed, much less run, an experiment that could shed light on their pseudoscientific nonsense. They have admitted they are motivated to find a rational for religious origins, and they distort and misquote mainstream scientists in furtherance of that nonscientific aim.
The problem with allowing the spread of anti-science is that it ends up leading to things like people flying jets into buildings to avenge their religion. No really, it does. Science is the candle in the dark.
I agree. The ID guys are kind of cute. Such conviction in the face of a complete lack of data. It's inspiring in some ways. I say balloons and ice cream for all the creationists.
Hats off to Scott's "strategic frivolity". Those who recognize the value of this technique may want to consider joining The Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster (www.venganza.org). In fact, since the general public seems so willing to accept and teach random theories with no evidence or testability, perhaps we should all start our own theories!! Here's mine: Life is created by the dreams of igneous rocks.
Sure, you may disagree with me, but we should have a debate, and at least teach everyone the controversy. :)
I agree with Trevor.
The whole ID campaign is waged by (mostly) Evangelical Christian theocrats who are fellow travellers of the Islamists in the ME.
It's certainly nothing to take lightly, although I appreciate the gorilla guy. However, the theocrats aren't simply going to go back home satisfied that they've made their point. They'll keep building and building and building, and they'll have plenty of children who'll take over for them when their gone, until democracy is dead in America.
After all, theocracy is totalitarianism.
k.
That's a really humorous way to show your dismay against evolution, and I do agree wth you that if you don't take actions, the other side will slowly prevail....