Intelligent Design

Intelligent Design: Intelligent Enough?

Hello Lads. In another one of this unit’s interesting blogs, I will be talking about the inclusion of religion, specifically the theory of intelligent design, into science classes. This has been a hot topic for the last 100 years, as schools around the nation find themselves being pulled in opposite directions by science and religion. Should we teach our kids the fascinating, yet not 100% proven, theory of evolution? Or should we just follow “god’s book” and his seven day creation? Surprisingly enough, in the last few years a new theory has come up shows that maybe both of these theories are true; but how is that possible?.

“Intelligent Design” is the idea that “a hidden hand must lie somewhere behind the evolution of life” (Nature 436, 753). That is to say, that whether the theory of evolution is right or wrong, these people believe that god is always behind the creation of the universe. As interesting as it sounds, the big question is still in the air. Should god, or the “intelligent creator” be the almighty scientist in children’s classrooms? The following two editorials give very interesting opposing points of view on this topic

In Nature 436, 753 (11 August 2005) “Keeping Religion out of science classes”, the editor voices his opinion on the importance of maintaining religion and science separated in the schools and criticizes president Bush’s recent comments on the importance of intelligent design. This author emphasizes the political dangers for President Bush and many republicans trying to embrace this theory and goes on to provide examples of state legislatures that have been removed because of their insistence on the inclusion of this theory into the classroom (see Nature 406, 552; 2000). The editor supports every effort carried out by scientists and researchers in order to make it clear that “the president's apparent willingness to allow intelligent design into the classroom is at odds with America's pressing need to improve science education.” This is an excellent point. In today’s technological and globalized world, the United States cannot afford to turn back to prehistoric teachings. It is true that god may exist, and yes I believe god, but when it comes down to science, I believe that one must guide himself with physical evidence and experiments, because it has been through scientists, not priests, that the world has advanced technologically and scientifically the way it has for the past 200 years. Scientists should continue to speak out in all available forums. The fight will go on, but science and reason can ultimately win.” (Nature 436, 753).

The second article that I examined was by Eddie Thompson of authorsden.com. Here Mr. Thompson is basically heavily criticizing a previous article which had a strong opinion against intelligent design. However, I have to say that he decided to approach this editorial in a very particular way. Even though he does make a good point by saying that one theory can never prove another wrong until that one itself if proven right, some of his arguments such as “Buddhists believe people can be reincarnated as animals. Can we no longer discuss cows or rats in science class?” (Thompson) or “Let the teachers teach the facts” (Thompson), make no sense whatsoever and do not strengthen his argument but rather make it look foolish. It is clear that Mr. Thompson is a religious man with strong beliefs in god, as he pretty much directly states it in his article, and feels that it is crucial that religion and science be combined. As much as I respect his opinion, when one is trying to argue or debate a serious and complicated topic as religion vs. science in schools and the validity of the theory of evolution, a “ Because god made it that way” argument will not get you anywhere. Well lads in case you are interested in reading these editorials here they are.

“Keeping Religion out of Science Class”. Nature 436, 753 (11 August 2005)
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v436/n7052/full/436753a.html

Thompson, Eddie. “Keith Lockitch’s Editorial on Intelligent Design.” Friday, December 23, 2005
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?AuthorID=17296&id=20427

Aberfan: 100% Tragedy, but Who Is To Blame?

Bartenders usually have to deal with disputes between people who argue over pointless topics; however, the other night this was not the case. Two tourists from Wales came to enjoy all Australia has to offer, including my bar. After several drinks the couple began to engage in conversation with a talkative local, Jounrey. Jounrey Bhaya spends his days surfing and playing the guitar (and occasionally smoking from a billy). Jounrey began complaining about global warming and the pollution defacing his beach, calling it an unfortunate disaster. When Jounrey asked the vacationers if they had any children, he only received blank looks. “Had would be the correct word,” one of them responded. This conversation is any bartender’s nightmare! To break the awkward silence, I asked if any of them wanted another drink. Terry had this response, “No matter where we go we are always reminded about where we came from and what we left behind. October 21st, the day that changed our lives forever.”

Jounrey, not knowing when to stop, relied, “I remember that! Yawl’ must be from the village of Aberfan. I am so sorry. The dangers of consumer consumption and globalization have destroyed our world and not to mention, those damn hot springs.” As I saw the puzzled looks I knew this conversation must be stopped so I told Journey that I would drive him home. Just my luck, the couple told Jounrey they would take him back when he was ready. That night Jounrey spent the night at the bar. He enraged the couple enough for them to renege on their invitation to take him home. The couple blamed the disaster solely on the National Coal Board while Jounrey also placed blame on the spring under the coal tip and the worldwide dependence on coal.

That night I began searching online for articles about this “dramatic business” (Nature). October 21, 1966, thousands of tons of colliery waste slid down a mountain and killed 145 people. Below the mountain, 116 children and 5 teachers were smothered inside their school. The chairman of the National Coal Board, Lord Robens blamed the Aberfan Disaster on natural unknown springs beneath the tip. However, the final verdict was that everything could have been prevented and should have. “It only happened because of ‘ignorance, ineptitude and a failure of communications’ within the board” (Nature). For several years the villagers complained about the coal tip and the dangers of it. The National Coal Board ignored these complains until they could not ignore them anymore, the morning of October 21st.

One article I found, that supported the above, utilized a pathos approach appealing to the reader’s emotions. “In the school hall at 9:30 am that morning, the children had sung All Things Bright and Beautiful,…”(Ole). The author also outlines a few conclusions from the Labour government: “1. That the blame for the disaster lay firmly upon the N.C.B” (Ole). No one was prosecuted and 500 pounds was rewarded for each child. Throughout the article it is evident that the author is grief-stricken. “In concluding my few words on this terrible event I just hope that when the time comes/came for Robens and anyone else that had even the slightest responsibility for the disaster to approach the Pearly gates, I hope St. Peter said/or will say GO TO HELL, for they certainly earned that right”(Ole). After reading this I thought about Jounrey’s comment and decided to investigate more.

I found more and more articles like the above one. I even found a song, and here are a few stanzas from it:

“The mining men of Wales are hardy, strong and bold, And they tunnel in the earth and make it yield its coal. But in the town of Aberfan, it's dearer now than gold, For one generation, for the black rock, has been sold.

How many died in Aberfan When the coal tip came rumbling down? How many children will never grow old? How many lives purchase how many pounds of coal?

The little school of Pantglas* lay where the mountain loomed, And some two hundred children took their lessons in its rooms. The day fall recess was to begin, they went to meet their doom, Not knowing "the green hollow" would soon become their tomb.

The men of the National Coal Board said that they'd known from the first. The coal tips they permitted were a worry and a curse. But I've heard that kind of thing so many times and it always sounds rehearsed. If the coal tip was a murderer, the Coal Board's crime was worse. " (Parrott)

After reading this song I thought about ending my search for any kind of rebuttal. The first few articles I had read convinced me that the National Coal Board was solely responsible and that they should face the consequence. However, I believe it is always important to find a contrary argument, even if it is about “cold,” “hard” facts. Someone who developed those facts could have been wrong! I kept searching and found a few articles rebutting a few points made in the above articles. For one, a few articles claim that the springs were not dangerous as the National Coal Board thought. However, one example for proving the springs harmless was the fact that grandparents could remember playing in the streams. However, the N.C.B was trying to prove that the springs were feeding out of the sandstone, not if they were safe to play in.

Another article drawing connections to Aberfan and the Titanic said, “At Aberfan, the National Coal Board attempted to say it was caused by a geological fault, while after the Titanic went down the powerful shipping industry lobby got to work to shuffle off the blame to avoid tighter regulations” (Aberfan and Titanic twin Tragedies). The word “attempted” lets me know that the author does not believe the geological fault claim.

An article about wind power supports part of Jounrey’s argument. “With enough vision and political will, we will eventually have wind turbines out at sea and so begin to harness the power of the sea itself. Electricity production from wind technology will never have the tragic consequences summed up in such words as Aberfan, Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez, Piper Alpha, Brent Spar, and Milford Haven. Every time we switch on the light, turn on the computer, or put clothes into the washing machine we should consider the environmental consequences of having such a dependable source of power. With wind power what you see is what you get – a small visual impact, not a large invisible hazard” (Cryer). Some of you may ask how this supports Jounrey’s argument. Journrey believes that the dependence of coal had an effect on this situation by forcing the N.C.B. to focus more on their production rather than long-term effects. The people of Aberfan did indeed see the coal tip as a hazard before the disaster but the National Coal Board had a quota to meet. Is it worth it? I do not believe so! The dependable source of power may be the culprit indeed.

I blame the National Coal Board, the springs feeding out of sandstone, and the dependence on coal. However, it is up to you to decide which you blame more or less, or if the extent even matters. But should we all take the safe route and place all the blame on the National Coal Board or use this as an example and change how things are operated? Wind power won’t have the same kind of costs.

“Aberfan and Titanic twin Tragedies.” Western Mail. 21 October 1998. 29 January 2007. http://www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/politics/aberfan/twin.htm.

Cryer, Peter. “Wind Power.” 26 January 2007. http://www.bwea.com/pdf/ks2.pdf.

“Problems of Scale.” Nature. 12 August 1967. 26 January 2007. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v215/n5102/pdf/215683a0.pdf.

Ole, D. R.. "Aberfan." 2005 26 January 2007 http://www.red-dragonwales.com/SpecialPlaces/Aberfan.htm.

Parrott , Thom . "The Aberfan Coaltip Tragedy." 1966 29 January 2007. http://www.geocities.com/parrottsongs/recordings/aberfan.html.

Welcome to Shark Biscuits!

We are so glad you stopped by to check out our blog! Read on to find the answer to some of your burning questions...

What are you guys doing?
For this semester we will be encountering Desmond’s unique perspective on our assigned topics in Units 1, 2, and 3 from our ENGL 102 class at UNC-Chapel Hill. The first unit will challenge natural science by exploring the controversies and viewpoints in science. Unit 2 will be a case study on the basis of research methods of behavioral psychology. The last unit will serve as a connection to the other two units; determining if there are such things as “proof” and “facts” in humanities.

Along with Desmond’s posts (complied by our team), each team member will respond to Desmond’s posts individually. The comments by our group will represent not only our viewpoints, but others. Each comment will be supported with details and facts.

Check out the units on our class’ website: http://www.unc.edu/~dlupton/1207/

Who is Desmond?

By creating a character, the tone and rhetoric of our blog is largely dependent on Desmond himself. We decided to use a character to make the blog more interesting and unique.

Along with Desmond’s-- ahem-- opinionated posts, each member of our group will respond with their own comments, challenging or agreeing with Desmond.

We encourage others to comment and get involved with this imaginative character and have fun with us! Your comments will help us make this blog a success. We look forward to seeing your responses!

Okay, so you guys are Desmond... but who is "Desmond?"
Desmond is a 60 year-old Australian man. He was one of the first students to attend the Australian National University (ASU) when it opened. Though ASU is ranked as Australia’s number one university, 24 year old Desmond only attended one year at ASU. After his first and only year at the Australian National University, Desmond enrolled in Sydney University. He studied at this university for two years before dropping out.

In his own words, Desmond explains,
“I am all for educating one’s self. That is why I left the unis. I didn’t feel that I could successfully liberate my mind enough to fully explore and attain the education that I wanted.”

Desmond’s I.Q. has been ranked off the charts by several international intelligent tests. Many of Australia’s noted psychologists agree that Desmond is not unintelligent. Rather, he is overtly intelligent and therefore found that the structure of university education was constricting.

A few years ago, Desmond pushed a fish and chips cart across the shore of Wollongong. After two months, Desmond could no longer live off the money he made from fish and chips, so he moved to the relaxing sands of Broulee, a costal town 2 hours outside of Canberra, New South Wales, Australia. In Broulee, Desmond opened his own bar, Shark Biscuits, in 2000.

Desmond currently resides in an apartment over Shark Biscuits, which has been a very popular tourist spot. Despite not having a college education, Desmond is well respected by his loyal customers. As one customer explains, “It’s not the drinks that we come here for. It’s the viewpoints that Desmond has on various subjects. I mean, he’s like a mastermind or something.”

Desmond spends his days surfing the shoreline of Broulee, bartending his well-stocked bar, creating new drinks, and of course-- keeping up with his blog! He also actively participates in soul searching and surfing pipelines while observing his customers.

Who are you people?
Name: Bernardo Asuaje
Year: Freshman
Major: Business Administration and Economics
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Favorite Sports Team: New York Yankees
Favorite Artist: Juan Luis Guerra
Interesting Facts: 2^nd place National Mathematics Olympics
Basic Training in the Israeli Defense Forces
Favorite Book: 100 Years of Solitude

Name: Ashley Croom
Year: Freshman
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Durham, NC
Favorite food: fried macaroni cheese balls from Cheesecake Factory
Interesting fact: birthday is on 9/11
Top Movies: Crash, Italian Job, and Gone in Sixty Seconds

Name: Jeremy Ellender
Year: Freshman
Major: Biology
Minor: Spanish
Career Goal: Dentist
Hometown: Kernersville, NC
Jobs: Lifeguard Manager; Assistant in the Allied Health Dept.
Interests: Sports, surfing, music, and swimming
Top 3 Movies: Man on Fire, Crash, and Blood Diamond

Name: Tilman Grigg
Hometown: Mint Hill, NC
Year: Freshman
Major: Psychology
Career: Therapist / Counselor
Interests: Gatorade
Music: Jazz / Indie / Underground Metal
Other: I think it is important to know that I am a Christian, but definitely not a stereotypical one :)

Name: Carly Swain

Year: Sophomore
Major(s): Journalism and Mass Communications/Drama
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Favorite Food: Chips and Guacamole
Favorite Color: White
Favorite Book: Utopia by Thomas More
Favorite Movies: Beyond Borders, Phantom of the Opera, Bridget Jones' Diary

Photos courtsey of:
http://www.southcoast.com.au/tomagahill/images/broulee-021s.jpg
http://www.rekindledenergy.com/TropicalDrinks.jpg
http://www.rgcshows.com/DesktopModules/PA_cs_classifieds/Images_Posted/i_442_39/39_img0_Venice%20Beach%20Surfboards.jpg
http://www.hobotraveler.com/132goapalolem/goahippie.jpg