Don't leave us Ted, or religion will have driven us back into the "dark ages" once again. :head
While many scientists may be putting forth questionalbe data to make a buck (isn't that how Martha Stewart got in trouble?) they have done far less damage than some of the religous zelots who have persecuted scientists, and those of other faith's, since the begining of civilization. We have something of a "holy war" brewing right now.
Eric mentioned that people will do whatever is best for their own self interest. Even if that means that they will continue propogating a silly story about an apple orchard and a snake. The mere fact that the creationists push this whole issue almost proves that the whole evolutionary theory must be correct on some level- or they wouldn't care about it enough to comment.
If we DO go down the path of creationism, than we have even more fairy tales (oops, I mean "theories") that we can look into.
Seeing as I am from Wisconsin, I prefer to believe in the one put forth by the Menomonee Indians, the oldest tribe in Wisconsin. They believe the Earth is only 4,000 years old, so carbon dating doesn't really matter
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, and that our world is built upon the back of a turtle. Turtles can swim really well, and they can hold their breath for a really long time. I'm all in favor of spending my spare time professing the positve virtues of the turtle. Seems like they would be perfect for the freedivers out there- which is what type of forum this happens to be.
Eric, it's been a long time since I took an Archeology class, but I remember that there were at least 6 different ways to date something. Carbon 14 was only one way. There were also dendrocronolgy, potassium-argon, fission-track, uranium series, electron spin resonance(ESR), and some others that may be new since I took that last class.
I still like the naked-ape theory for the simple reason that you can't evolve if you can't mate.:inlove
Who would some pretty, prehistoric, female want to jump in the sack with more readily, some apeish goof running through the desert, dripping with sweat, and covered in body lice; or, slick, Sven-like, surfer dude with a great tan, awsome bonfire on the beach and a lobster dinner waiting for his mistress.
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Unless the apeish one has already invented beer, in that case all bets are off.
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