Hre’s a thoughtful look by Tim Woods of the Waco Herald-Tribune at the response in and around Baylor University to Expelled – given that Baylor itself was one of the subjects. On the situation of Prof. Robert Marks, Woods records, Marks’ involvement in Expelled centers on a Web site about his evolutionary informatics research lab. […]
Month: April 2008
Creationists fail in bid to offer ‘science’ degrees
From Nature: A religious group has had its application to offer Master of Science degrees rejected by Texas authorities. The Institute for Creation Research— which backs a literal interpretation of the Bible, including the creation of Earth in six days — was seeking a certificate to grant online degrees in science education in Texas (see […]
Elliott Sober’s new book, Evidence and Evolution: The Logic Behind the Science, now available
Elliott Sober’s new book, Evidence and Evolution: The Logic Behind the Science (Cambridge University Press, 2008, 392 pp.) is now out, and worth your attention. A wide range of topics often discussed here — such as the theory of universal common descent (pro and con), the explanatory merits (or lack thereof) of natural selection, arguments […]
Australian Media on EXPELLED
In reading an Australian news report on Ben Stein’s EXPELLED, I came across this paragraph (go here for full story): Stein is [a man] with a mission: to prove US academics are being expelled from universities for daring to suggest creationism should be taught in science classes. And to prove that creationism — the belief […]
Derbyshire reviews (and seems to have read) Berlinski
Derbyshire continues to embarrass himself — it’s as though on the topic of ID and God his emotions take over and he can’t think straight. I’ll spare you his review and simply quote Berlinski’s response, which skillfully shuts him down with very few words: [From] David Berlinski: 1 If I remark that no sane man […]
Judge Jones loses in Florida and Louisiana
Judge Jones (the former liquor control board director famous for his involvement with Frog Beer) ruled in 2005 that it was unconstitutional for teachers in the Dover school district to question Darwinism. Jones viewed himself as the person who would settle the question of Darwinism for all time an eternity. He even went on the […]
John Derbyshire: EXPELLED as “Creationist Porn”
Back last year I reported on this blog that (go here) that John Derbyshire, despite repeatedly weighing in against intelligent design online and in print, gave no evidence of understanding the topic (to say nothing of doing any first-hand reading in it). Below he weighs in against Ben Stein’s EXPELLED, reviewing the movie despite refusing […]
Dinesh D’Souza on his recent debates with atheists
D’Souza has been debating lots of atheists lately. One atheist who won’t debate him is Richard Dawkins. Dinesh comments: [M]y challenges to Dawkins to step into the arena have only met with pathetic rationalization: “Richard is simply too busy and smart to debate you Dinesh.” Busy doing what besides being caught with his pants down […]
Expelled ten days later … plus other news
According to Box Office Mojo, Expelled is estimated to have – earned $5,282,000 in 10 days. – it is currently ranked 6th in political documentary, 12th in Christian, and 15th in documentary. – It is currently ranked 13 in films, but every film ranked above it was released in far more theatres. Meanwhile,
Weikart-Ruse Debate in STANFORD REVIEW
This just published at the STANFORD REVIEW: The Impact of Darwinism By Tristan Abbey With the premiere of Ben Stein’s new movie, Expelled, many people are pondering the long-term impact of Darwinism on society. We touched base with two experts on the subject. Arguing that Darwinism has had a largely positive impact on society is […]
The Expelled Controversies: Open Q & A, Monday April 28
I went down to the demonstration to get my fair share of abuse — The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get Want You Want” But you might just get what you need, if you’ve got a burning question or two about the Expelled controversies. Darwin-to-Hitler, doesn’t Sternberg still have his Smithsonian position, the Pepperdine students […]
Is “Imagine” Even Copyrightable?
Yoko Ono, as many readers of this blog by now know, is suing the producers of EXPELLED for using a brief clip of John Lennon’s song “Imagine.” One of the stanzas of the song reads: Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all […]
Miracles and the Principle of Causality
In a prior post EJ wrote: “I think natural intelligences are to be preferred above supernatural intelligences in design detection, for the simple reason that we have experience with the former, but not the latter.” I replied: “Says who? You are repeating Hume’s error of circular reasoning. “Miracles do not happen because they are counter […]
John Horgan: “I like the clash of ideas”
You know: teach the controversy, and all that. Meaning — after you watch this clip from bloggingheadstv — he’s going to come in for heavy criticism in the comments. Horgan has always kept his own counsel, which makes him interesting to read (one is bound to find something provocative — I remember thinking that his […]
After Expelled – Nancy Pearcey on NewsTalk & Walton College
Nancy Pearcey will be addressing After Expelled, on NewsTalk 1260 WFTW 9:30 AM EST Friday April 25th, 2008 Then on May 5th Events at the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center Okaloosa-Walton College Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center 100 College Boulevard, Niceville, FL 32578