From: kv07@IASTATE.EDU (Warren Vonroeschlaub)
Subject: Re: Some questions for Laura. Please read it.
Reply-To: kv07@IASTATE.EDU (Warren Vonroeschlaub)
Organization: Ministry of Silly Walks
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 18:19:22 GMT

In article <1992Aug12.134520.9514@cs.joensuu.fi>, asiivo@cs.joensuu.fi (Antti
Siivonen) writes:
> kv07@IASTATE.EDU (Warren Vonroeschlaub) writes:
> >  Now this has always been amusing to me.  What exactly are "missing links"?
> 
> 	Missing links are missing from macroevolution.

  There are many that fit the gaps very well.

> One of those is between 
> 	man and ape (bad wording, but I think you understand).

  Yep, I understand.  the only problem is that the transitional fossils are well
documented.  Could you tell me exactly where the missing transitional fossil
lies?

> It's the greatest
> 	challenge of modern evolution and I claim that those links (between 
> 	species) are missing because they have never existed. Sadly, no-one can
> 	ever prove anything. 

  Is this a statement that you wont believe any evidence, or that you don't
think you can provide any?  Certainly something can be proven?

>>  It seems every time a transitional fossil is found, it is used to provide
>>evidence for creationism because it leaves two gaps where there was once one.
>>Is it even possible to provide a detailed enough transition that you would
admit
>>all transitional fossils have been found?  A great many transitional fossils
are
>>known, some so detailed you need to be an expert in the field to detect the
>>differences in the chain.
> 
> 	Yes. Until the missing link comes. 

  Again, I don't quite see what you're trying to say.  Are you saying the fossil
record has to be absolutely complete before you will believe in evolution, or do
you feel that every species has no link with any other species?
 
> 	Fossil records:
> 
> 		.......... . . .  . .  . . .                   . . ... ..
> 		                              (missing link)
> 
> 		==========================================================>
> 				time

  My experince has been more like:

               ...... . . . . . .   .   .   .   .   .  . ..   . .. . .. .
                                      ^-Ha, a missing link
(archeological discovery occurs)
               ...... . . . ... . . ... . . . . . . . .. .. . .... .... .
                                 ^- Ha missing link
(archeological discovery occurs)
               ..........................................................
                                 ^^- Ha, missing link between these two
(archeological discovery occurs)
               ____________________._____________________________________
                                   ^-Ha, there is a tiny little itsy bitsy
                                      difference in these species, so that
                                      is the missing link

  State specifically how detailed you wan't to get, then stick with it.  Don't
change the rules every time you loose.

 |  __L__   *******************************
-|-  ___    * Warren Kurt vonRoeschlaub   *
 |  | O |   * kv07@iastate.edu            *
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