Evolution: How We Know it Happened & Why it Matters (with Dr. Donald Prothero)

THE HOTTEST CULTURAL CONTROVERSY OF 2005 was the Intelligent Design challenge to the theory of evolution, being played out in classrooms and courtrooms across America. The crux of the argument made by proponents of Intelligent Design is that the theory of evolution is in serious trouble. They claim that the evidence for evolution is weak, the gaps in the theory are huge, and that these flaws should be taught to students. In this brilliant synthesis of scientific data and theory, Occidental College geologist, paleontologist, and evolutionary theorist Dr. Donald Prothero will present the best evidence we have that evolution happened, why Darwins theory still matters, and what the real controversies are in evolutionary biology.

Dr. Donald Prothero teaches Physical and Historical Geology, Sedimentary Geology, and Paleontology. His specialties are mammalian paleontology and magnetic stratigraphy of the Cenozoic. His current research focuses on the dating of the climatic changes that occurred between 30 and 40 million years ago, using the technique of magnetic stratigraphy. He is the author of "Evolution of the Earth," "Bringing Fossils to Life," "After the Dinosaurs," "Horns, Tusks, and Flippers: The Evolution of Hoofed Mammals," and the textbook "Sedimentary Geology."

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• Category

  Science & Technology

[concertwobbly]

Intelligent Design is only a 'Cultural Controversy' in the US - in the rest of the third world ID is not in contention. USA - the most backward developed country on the planet!

[Shadowsafter]

It's a fucking travesty that this brilliant man has to lower himself to explaining that Evolution is more true than a book dictated by near-feral bronze age savages. Here's to the fucking death of the US's status as the scientific nexus of the world, let's move it to France or Switzerland where half the voters don't hope for the return of the fucking confederacy.

[Sailright21]

Well said Shadowsafter but I think there are more atheists in the US than you think. Return of the Confederacy, return of the Caliphate, so much alike.

[sabatino1977]

I damn near spit out my coffee when I read the words "near-feral". Brilliant!

[repeterz]

Go get a PHD in some area of biology, then come back and tell us why the rest of the world is wrong.. They are laughing at you now and the'd REALLY laugh at you then..

[repeterz]

So knowledge gained from observation and experiment and the resulting hypotheses that have come out of these which have been verified from further observation and experiment are all bogus? In your eye's it's a great big conspiracy to drive people away from your person religious views? God is trying to test our faith by giving us excellent evidence for things he/she/it doesn't actually want us to believe in? It takes a (short-school-bus) special person to actually believe that.. Wow..

[Niklas Wikstrom]

Aren't obvious lies sinful? You put forward some things here as "facts" which they aren't.

[pagec248]

That's fine. Evolution has nothing to do with believing any deity. It's not like you can only pick one to 'believe' in. Evolution has been studied fo over 150 years and is most certainly fact. To deny this is to deny reality. However, it has nothing to do with any sort of deity unless you make it a point to make it so. Many Christians are scientists and have no problem reconciling their faith with science.

[Bloodtoker]

So, no matter how many intelligent people try to enlighten and expand your mind, you'll still stay in a primitive mind-set?

...

Nice.

[pikmin123456]

No matter how much people talk about this I will always believe in God .

[dan18ny]

If I ever get to see God I want to tell him why does he let children suffer but I am afraid he is going to turn around and ask me the same thing...