From: colby@bu-bio.bu.edu (Chris Colby)
Newsgroups: talk.origins
Subject: two questions for Jim Loucks (+digression)
Date: 15 Apr 92 17:02:56 GMT
Reply-To: colby@bu-bio.UUCP (Chris Colby)
Organization: animal -- coelomate -- deuterostome

In article <88MZ026Oc9t600@amdahl.uts.amdahl.com> jloucks@uts.amdahl.com (Jim Loucks) writes:

>I went to a library during lunch to print the transcripts off
>microfiche. The library directed me to a local state university where
>I was able to obtain hardcopies of the transcripts. An hour and a 
>half later, minus $23.25,

	Jim, you certainly seem willing to spend time and money
investigating creationist literature. Since you have been partici-
pating in t.o., have you spent any time examining biology from
any non-creationist sources? You probably could have checked out an
intro to biology text or evolutionary biology text for free from
that library (or if not, certainly the public library would let 
you.)

>If you want a copy of the tape,
>call the ICR (I don't have their number here) and request the video
>"The Evolution Conspiracy." 

	One more question. I'm a grad student in evolutionary biology.
Do you think that I am A.) part of some big commie/satan conspiracy
B.) being conned by evolutionary biologists (the ones in the hypothesized
commie/satan conspiracy) and am just too damn stupid to figure it out
C.) attempting to do science to the best of my ability and just
reaching the wrong conclusion (along with the rest of my field) or
D.) [insert your own interpretation] (Or, how about E.) mastermind of
the whole commie/satan conspiracy or F.) satan himself 8-)

	Now that I've asked that question, it would be valid of you
to ask me the same question in return. I'll answer in advance to
save the bandwidth. I would guess you are a very religious person
who desperately wants to think there is some objective support for
his worldview (maybe you have had some doubts). You are unwilling
to examine real biological sources for a couple of reasons. You
are sure that your sources are right because they tell you what
you want to hear and/or you are secretly afraid that evolutionary 
bio might be very reasonable and somehow your faith might be shaken.
So, you are willing to ignore a few minor details (reality) so that
you can continue believing in your worldview (probably taught to 
you as a child) because it gives you a lot of comfort.

	If I'm right (and maybe I'm way off base -- it's just a guess)
I would encourage you to challenge your own views. It takes a lot of
courage to do so, but it's worth the try. One of two things can happen.
1.) You decide that you were correct all along (if you are confident
you are right -- why should you be scared to examine competing ideas?)
2.) You find out you were wrong. This can be a drag, but in hindsight
you will be glad that you switched views.

	Take some time and read some real biology, Jim (putting on my
Wilford Brimly hat), it's the right thing to do 8-) Creationism is
just plain stupid and there is no conflict between science and
religion except the conflicts manufactured by religious nuts.

NEEDLESS BIOLOGICAL DIGRESSION

	There is a phylum of animals called Tartigrades. These animals
are about half a millimeter big and look like little bears (kind of).
They can withstand temperatures from 151 degrees C down to -270 degrees
C. They can be dessicated (dried out), stored for one hundred years and
revived (I don't know how they know that). They are virtually immune to
X-rays, the lethal dose for tartigrades (common name "water bears") is
570,000 roentgens (the lethal dose for humans is 500 r) Their closest
relatives are probably the arthropods (insects, spiders, lobsters and
etc.-- oh my!)

ASIDE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE E-MAILED ME RECENTLY OR ARE WAITING FOR REFS

	I've got a big backlog of stuff to respond to, just hang on.
Thanks.

>Jim Loucks           jloucks@uts.amdahl.com 
>{apple, pyramid, sun, uunet}!amdahl!jloucks

Chris Colby