Paul Sereno: What can fossils teach us?

http://www.ted.com Strange landscapes, scorching heat and (sometimes) mad crocodiles await scientists seeking clues to evolution's genius. Paleontologist Paul Sereno talks about his surprising encounters with prehistory -- and a new way to help students join the adventure.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Watch the Top 10 TEDTalks on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

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[lynchmobb2000]

"So how many molecular transitions do you think it would take to change a land animal into a whale ? 50,000? 1,000,000?"

Molecular transitions? That is a meaningless phrase, but I think what you mean is "base pair mutations." Well, the average mammal species has 3 billion base pairs, then it would take 50 million base pairs. Since it took 15 million years to complete the transition, that is 3-4 base pairs per year, exactly along the lines of what we see in mammals today.

Debate over.

[Icix1]

Just so you know I was being sarcastic. There are MOUNTAINS of evidence, literally, to prove evolution. God just has a few books, written by humans, i might add. A tad fishy perhaps?

God is so powerful he needs mortal men to write down his views, and then he needs mortal men to warp and distort his image over a thousands of years?

[algerhistogram]

i'm going to bookmark where i am in this video. i have watched through 8:43

[Al3xX420]

@theinsectmanofwv You are an idiot for using the term 'evolutionist.' You wouldn't call someone a gravitationist or an atomist.

[lynchmobb2000]

@cobleymj

Oh? What specifically am I wrong about?

Or are you just, "that guy"?

[cobleymj]

@lynchmobb2000 You obviously dont understand much about the species you are describing

[ApocDevTeam]

lol when that crocodile suddenly turned. must have scared the shit out the guy sitting on it

[theinsectmanofwv]

Evolutionists are bluffing when they say their beliefs are scientific. Be sure to look at the list of evolutionists who refuse the debate challenge from Dr. Joseph Mastropaolo.

[Odjii]

Paul Sereno is my favorite paleontologist. Well after Edward Petuch, I love his lectures. .

[flibbertergibbet]

I don't think any of us are FULLY evolved humans...

[sunrisewalker]

That is the truth. The comment system in youtube needs a lot of work to be truly user friendly. thanks for taking the time to respond both times, despite that.

[Archaenum]

Sorry if I sounded grumpy. I was probably reacting to having to search through all the comments to find what I originally said. The fault is not yours, it is a problem with the way YT does not link comments together in an easy-to-find manner.