An Evolutionary Success! Evolutionary biologists have recently revealed a phylogenetic tree which depicts the evolutionary relatedness of all birds. Specifically it also reveals information about the tempo of bird evolution as well as the geographic locations of important diversification events. These findings have important relevance, not only to understand the natural history of life, but … Continue reading An Evolutionary Success!
Tag: science
The Science of Genius
The Science of Genius Genius is a label that has been used to describe people of high achievement and people who have been thought to be far smarter than average. However, understanding exactly how and why people label others genius is more complicated. Cadell Last and Ryan Burke discuss. Podcast: The Science of Genius on … Continue reading The Science of Genius
The Biggest Myth
The Biggest Myth Climate change skeptics frequently defend the idea that climate has always changed in the past and that recent increases in global temperature is part of a natural cycle. However, this line of reasoning does not hold up to scrutiny and in the face of big history is misleading at best. All research … Continue reading The Biggest Myth
Climate of Doubt (fear, corruption and lies)
Climate of Doubt (fear, corruption and lies) A few days ago I watched Climate of Doubt, a PBS documentary hosted by John Hockenberry. Throughout the documentary Hockenberry reveals how the political desire and ability to reduce our carbon footprint has been transformed by money in politics. Special interest groups have developed a successful tactic to combating … Continue reading Climate of Doubt (fear, corruption and lies)
Recent Discovery of an Earth-Sized Exoplanet in Context
Recent Discovery of an Earth-Sized Exoplanet in Context An Earth-sized planet was recently discovered in a star system 4.3 light years away from Earth. Despite being Earth-sized, it is far too close to its host star to be able to support life. However, this planet represents yet another continuation of an impressive trend in astronomy … Continue reading Recent Discovery of an Earth-Sized Exoplanet in Context
Welcome to the Strange World of Ken Ham
Welcome to the Strange World of Ken Ham Ken Ham is a Young-Earth Creationist (YEC) and president of the Creation Museum. On August 29th he released a response video to Bill Nye's viral Big Think video re: the dangers of teaching creationism to children. Within his response we get a chance to dissect what it … Continue reading Welcome to the Strange World of Ken Ham
Evolutionary Thought Pre-Darwin Pt. 2
Evolutionary Thought Pre-Darwin Pt. 2 Evolutionary thought was in vogue among naturalists in the centuries leading up to the co-discovery of the theory of evolution by natural selection. Several different European philosophers and scientists embraced the notion that life must have changed over time. It was in this intellectual environment that Darwin and Wallace made … Continue reading Evolutionary Thought Pre-Darwin Pt. 2
Why New Religions?
Why New Religions? Despite the recent global decline in traditional religious belief, new religious movements (NRMs) have grown significantly over the past 50 years. Why have they become such a dominant cultural force in the western world? And what can be done to reduce their continued growth? Full Article: Why New Religions? on The Advanced … Continue reading Why New Religions?
The God Hypothesis
The God Hypothesis God is essentially a hypothesis. Throughout human history all populations assumed that the hypothesis was true (i.e., God exists). However, during the scientific revolution and enlightenment, humans were able to test The God Hypothesis for the first time. And it crumbled. Full Article: The God Hypothesis on The Advanced Apes
Can There Be Another Jane Goodall?
Can There Be Another Jane Goodall? Charles Darwin, Louis Leakey and Jane Goodall are all evolutionary pioneers and intellectual pillars of contemporary evolutionary thought. However, their discoveries and contributions to the various evolutionary fields were uniquely historically contingent. Is it possible for any modern day evolutionary academics to make comparable breakthroughs? Full Article: Can There … Continue reading Can There Be Another Jane Goodall?