The Bacterial Flagellum, as an example of Irreducible Complexity, proves evolution unlikely.

Evolution is not a process of stepwise, incremental nature. The resolution about "irreducible complexity" is hence flawed to begin with.Evolution consists of two major elements: random mutation on the one hand and selection by higher chances of procreation and survival (Darwin's famous "survival of the fittest"). It works the other way round, by eliminating mutations that do not prove persistent enough, not "fit" to their environment.We have research to that end:"The mechanisms of evolution—like natural selection and genetic drift—work with the random variation generated by mutation."http://evolution.berkeley.edu...So how did the bacterial flagellum come into existence?Studies have shown that the proteins forming the flagellum crystallize IN VITRO, so in the absence of life. It's a chemical process that has nothing to do with evolution at all:"The process by which bacterial flagellar filaments are reconstituted from flagellin molecules in vitro is examined by physical measurements (flow birefringence, viscosity, sedimentation) and by electron microscopic analysis, using flagella isolated from a strain of Salmonella. It is shown to be essentially reversible and characteristic of crystallization. In the presence or absence of salt, the flagella are depolymerized into monomers by heat treatment. At neutral pH, the repoly-merization takes place only in the presence of salts."http://www.sciencedirect.com...This means that the flagellar filaments formed in sea water, possibly long before bacteria even existed. It's the natural state of these long-chained proteins in salt water.This fact is commonly known and has found its way even to Wikipedia: "Assembly. During flagellar assembly, components of the flagellum pass through the hollow cores of the basal body and the nascent filament. During assembly, protein components are added at the flagellar tip rather than at the base. In vitro, flagellar filaments assemble spontaneously in a solution containing purified flagellin as the sole protein." http://en.wikipedia.org...As for the "irreducible complexity": "Integration of phylogenetic information with our interaction and phenotyping data reveals a conserved core of motility proteins, which appear to have recruited many additional species-specific components over time." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...This means that all flagella in existence each contain ADDITONAL, hence OPTIONAL, proteins and would work - and did work - well without them. So, elements could be taken away, or replaced by others, and mobility would still be there, making the point moot to begin with.So what this come down to is this:Evidence exists that the basic structure of the flagellum is very old, but it was a lifeless protein crystal then. Some mutated bacteria merged with this bit of organic crystal (yes, those exist, like sugar, for example, which is crystalline and organic, consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen). Some of these mutations gained mobility by this, others did not. Those who gained mobility naturally moved around and thus reproduced faster than their static counterparts, which then became extinct.Evidence also exists that later, some of these mobile bacteria mutated even further, diversifying and hence gaining parts for the flagellum that were not necessary for its function.It's all there.The described pathway clearly shows that a "designer" is not needed for any of this to work. The resolution is thus refuted beyond reasonable doubt, especially since only one source has been detailed by my opponent.On a personal note: I believe in a creator god, but my opponent's argumentation just makes no sense to me.